Session

Nico and George sat in the pub in Glastonbury, empty plates and a couple of empty bottles on the table in front of them. The first thing they had wanted was food. The second was alcohol. Normally George wasn’t a drinker, but on a normal day, he wouldn’t have just slain a dragon. A few beers were going down a treat. Over by the bar, Colonel Butley and Eamon were getting on surprisingly well, considering Eamon’s supposed “allergy” to Englishmen. George sincerely hoped he wasn’t attacking the Colonel about 1916 or the War of Independence. He didn’t want to have to slay two dragons in the one day.

“Did you honestly think a hand was going to reach out of the lake and grab the sword?” Nico asked, laughing. George shrugged.

“I don’t know. I, I guess I was curious…” he said coyly.

“Get over it George! You just never grew up!” she laughed, taking a swig out of her bottle of beer. It tasted cool and refreshing. He shrugged.

“You’re the one following me all over the world.” he pointed out. She smiled and took another drink.

“Well, I didn’t realise that meeting an American outside a bombed café five years ago, would continue to change my life.” She smiled at him and he chuckled.

“I should come with a warning.” He joked, taking another drink, realising his bottle was empty. He gestured to her for another and she nodded, still smiling pleasantly. She had expected the smart comeback to her comment. Maybe it was better that way.

George ordered two beers from the barman and turned to listen to the animated conversation between Eamon, Harry and Colonel Butley. Empires, colonies and war were all mentioned within the space of a minute. Eamon was particularly vigorous in his conversation. As George turned to pay the barman, Colonel Butley stepped in.

“No no. That’s on me, boy.” He said gruffly. George shook his head.

“Oh no, Colonel, there’s no need…”

“Of course there is. If it wasn’t for you, my daughter could be still with that…thing across the road.” He nodded to the barman, who marked something on a piece of paper by the door – a tab.

“No, my dear boy, you deserve to get very drunk tonight. On my account.” George was about to dispute the generosity but decided against it. As Butley moved away, Harry leaned back to talk to George.

“Here, this Colonel’s alright. He’s been buying drinks for everyone. He’s even given me a place to stay tonight. Good thing too. The plane’s gonna need repairs…” he hiccupped.

“Harry, can I make a recommendation? Buy a can of petrol and burn it.” George said solemnly.

“Can’t mate. It’s not insured.” George clenched his eyes shut in disbelief. He decided not to try and explain what he meant. Instead he took his two beers and rejoined Nico.

By two o’ clock that night, everyone was very merry and singing had commenced long ago. George wondered why everyone was so happy. No one knew what had happened on the Thor, bar he and Nico. He was thinking about what Nico had said earlier about his impact on her life. He wondered if that were true. The thoughts were mixing heavily with alcohol and he began to feel slightly light-headed. A loud smash by the bar brought him back to his senses.

“Quiet!” The loud booming voice the Colonel yelled. The place quietened. You could hear a pin drop. George stood up and walked over to the colonel.

“What’s going on?”

“Police are outside. This my boy, is what we call a lock-in. Pubs supposed to close at half twelve.” He whispered, though his voice still seemed to boom.

“What time is it?” George had lost all track of space and time. The Colonel pointed at the clock as a loud knock on the door resounded around the building. George looked up.

“Half Four!” he exclaimed loudly.

“Shhhh!”

But it was too late.

“Hello in there! I know you’re in there. Open this door!” The barman made for the door, with Butley following him. He opened the door slowly.

“Alfie, have you any idea what time it is?” the policeman didn’t seem irritated, more dumbstruck. The Colonel coughed slightly.

“Oh. Hello Colonel. Didn’t expect to see you here at this hour.” The policeman’s tone changed to one of respect and even fear.

“Bit of a shindig, I’m afraid.” The colonel admitted.

“I’m sorry but I’m going to have to ask you to take it elsewhere.” The policeman said coyly.

“Certainly. Give us a few minutes to finish up, and we’ll be gone.” The colonel said calmly. The policeman nodded.

“I’ll be outside.” He pulled the door shut behind him and the colonel turned to George.

“Silly boy!” he laughed loudly. Thank heavens he was in good spirits. George didn’t want to think about facing him n bad spirits.

“Colonel, I have a favour to ask. We, I mean Nico and I, we have no place to stay tonight…”

“Not a problem dear boy. This is why I have thirty rooms in my house. Follow my lead!” he bellowed happily and George saw it then. Butley liked to play the host. He liked to impress and impress upon. As the party piled out of the pub, George notice Harry trailing behind, a crate of drink in his arms. The night was far from over….

When George finally managed to crawl up the stairs early that morning, he stumbled into the nearest doorway and fell onto the bed, drawing a loud squeal from someone already in it. Nico.

“Ughh…” he groaned as he pulled himself up towards the pillow. Nico smiled and left him where he was. She could grill him later, when he was both awake and sober.

And it was much later that day when either of them woke up. And it was to the smell of bacon, eggs and every other manner of delicious breakfast food.

“George…”

“Mmm…” he didn’t notice that he had wrapped an arm around her quilted figure and his lips were touching the skin on her neck.

“George.”

“What?” he asked, eyes still closed, not moving a muscle. She turned her head slightly to look at his sleeping face. Sighing, she kissed his lips softly and he moaned happily. She sighed again.

“My god, what does it take to wake you up?” she was losing patience now. There was a moment of silence before George replied.

“Try doing that again.” His lips formed a smile this time. She sat up and punched him playfully.

“Oww! Oww! Not the stomach!” he groaned.

“Delicate?” she teased.

“You have no idea. I think I drank more in one night than I have done for my whole life. I’m being serious.” He leaned up on his elbow to face her. She grinned at him and leaned down and kissed him again.

“What was that for?” he asked whispering.

“You don’t quite look awake.” She joked. He raised his eyebrows.

“Well, in that case,” he pulled her on top of him, “I better go back to sleep quick!” They laughed and kissed again, deeper this time.

“Nico, when you said I changed your life…were you being serious?” She looked at him, her eyes twinkling, her lips forming a cute, seductive smile.

“Yes. Meeting you changed my life. You made sure I would never have a minutes peace ever again!” she joked. He raised his eyebrows again. The muscles in his brow were starting to hurt.

“Well, I’ll drink to that!” He kissed her again before pulling away,

“Just, maybe not today.” She nodded, sensing that was a good idea. He laughed and kissed her again. He sure hoped Colonel Butley didn’t come searching the thirty rooms for them!

Just a little exercise really in writing. I suppose it can be seen as a sequel of sorts to my other Broken Sword fic. I quite enjoy writing pub scenes! Especially ones involving drunken Americans!

Please read and review!

I’m a big Broken Sword Fan and would love to write more if there are people willing to read and review.