Summer Loving: Chapter 2 of The Land

Chapter 2:
Summer Loving

'You alwright mate then?' said Paddy to Jacob as he tried to break the
awkward silence.
'What? Oh, yeah I'm fine, just thinking, you know' replied Jacob
seeming not wanting to talk at all.
It was a clear blue delightful Sunday evening and Jacob, Paddy, Miller
and his girlfriend Patsy were sitting outside a harbour side pub
basking in the summer rays. Many other people were sitting outside
enjoying their time in sun, laughing and joking as many do when the
weather is quiet fine. Nevertheless, in the middle of the crowded beer
garden Jacobs table of friends seems uncommonly quite and morose as
they searched for things to say to their demoralized friend.
'Did you watch that programme last night bout that new planet? They
reckon there might be life on it' said Paddy still trying his
best
'What?' Said Miller 'he couldn't of, nor could you, we were all in the
pub last night ya bleeding idiot, remember, that's where I got this
black eye from', he said pointing to his ringed black eye
'I was just trying to make conversation you curly hair___' Jacob cut
Paddy's verbal response short by interrupting
'Ay, you two stop arguing all the time; I said I am fine. I'm out of
that place now and so if you don't mind I don't need be splitting you
two up from ya continuing bickering!
'Oh, sorry mate' said Paddy
'Yeah well... he should think mor___ (Miller notices Jacobs unimpressed
glare), alwright, forget bout it, sorry', said Miller.
'So you know what your gonna do now?' said Paddy to Jacob
'Not sure, all been a bit sudden really. I know I said I'd do it but
bloody hell I've actually done it now so... so.. Well I don't know! I
guess I'll have to do what I said I'd do and go back the city', said
Jacob not being too sure himself let alone answer Paddy. 'Why what do
you think I should do?'
'Don't ask me', said Paddy 'I don't think that far ahead, like at the
moment right now, the furthest ahead I think is what crisps I should
get with me next drink. Simply, that's how I like thinks'
'your simple you mean' quipped Miller
'Oi! Shut it curly top, I'm talking to J ere, not you' said Paddy
waving his finger at Miller. 'Look I say, why complicate things? If you
wanna go, go. And if you wanna stay then do so, but why get so
stressed?' said Paddy in his usual easy going way
'It's a whole load of stuff Pad', said Jacob, 'you know, I'm
twenty-three and feel I haven't lived a day just working all the time.
This is how I see my life, right. Theirs millions of people in this
world and a million people we don't know. They mightn't be alive for
all it matters to us because we're none the wiser of their existence
right. I! Feel like that most of the time. Hardy anyone notices I
exists so if I'm alive or not it doesn't really matter!' said Jacob
quite sombrely as he peered into the bottom of his glass.
'Ay mate don't talk like that' said Miller
'Yeah, oi cheer up, you do what's best' said Paddy
'But what's that? Said Jacob
Yet again, they sat around the beer garden table looking quite
despondent while everyone else bathed in the suns hot glow around them.
Suddenly Miller found it his turn to help give his down friend some
guidance.
'You don't have ta decide just yet mate, you know, you can stay with us
for as long as ye like. No need to be rushing off in to things like.
Stay round, think bout it all a bit' said Miller to Jacob while all the
time his girlfriend Patsy squeezing his hand under the table in protest
at the thought of Jacob staying in their home for much longer. However,
Miller just pulled his hand from hers and continued.
'You need to think bout sum'ink as big as this J and rushing isn't
gonna make the whole situation better is it?'
Noticing Jacob was listening seriously, to what Miller had to say,
Patsy (who had stayed relatively quiet up to now) decided it was her
turn to join in on the lads conversation to make sure her home was not
going to be invaded for much longer.
'Look Matthew (Millers first name), if Jacob here wants to go back to
the city to sort his problems out, we would not be good friends in
making him stay and keeping him sad. I say Jacob, (now looking at him
and not Miller) you go back, see what you want to do and maybe take
that holiday you have been talking about. Just talking about it is
never going to make it happen, go for it and have a majestic time' said
Patsy with much enthusiasm to the annoyance of her boyfriend Miller who
was trying to get his best friend to stay. Patsy did in fact like Jacob
a lot but often felt his close friendship with Miller often got in the
way of her relationship, which she cherished very much.
Jacob nodded his head loosely but Patsy could tell by the expression in
his face that he was not sold yet by what she had to say, so he
continued determined to put her point across strongly.
'Look here Mr Jacob Winall', said Patsy who always did have a posh ay
of speaking to people, 'you cannot let life pass you by like this, stop
nit picking! Everyday lately you moan life is unfair, well
boo-hoo!
'Patsy!' said Miller in a stern voice
'No Matthew this should be said. Frankly Jacob it is getting boring
listening to you badger on about the misleading of life, you will not
get no symphony from me until you actually go out and do something!'
said Patsy fervently
Jacob looked up from his glass rather astounded but nonetheless very
engrossed in what Patsy had to say.
'Listen to what I have to say. We all like you a lot Jacob but lately
you just been bringing yourself down and so, us too and that is not
going to do anyone a matter of good is it. You have to take charge of
yourself, do things while you can'
At this point, everyone on the table were fixed and attentive to want
she had to say, in fact the man on the next table had turned to
listen.
'Life and indeed youth Jacob is a cherish thing undeniably and you
should not go about wasting it as yourself had said so. Youth is like
that set of keys you leave on the self; lets say a key to open a wine
box (using the wine box suggestion being the posh girl she was). Every
day you see that key on the shelf and never give it a second thought.
Then weeks, months and years pass and you think, I would like that wine
now, I will just go get the key. However when you go to pick it off the
shelf its gone, someone's moved it and it been lost and so all the
chances you had to drink that fine wine called life are gone and you
will have to settle for something less or nothing at all' finished
Patsy looking somewhat pleased with herself.
Everyone looked dumbstruck as if pondering what she had just said;
perhaps trying to figure out what she intended by it all, certainly the
man on the next table was scratching his head. However, Jacob
expression changed to a smile and a glimmer came into his eyes and the
sun shone.

'Your right ya know' said Jacob to Patsy 'I have spent too much time
thinking haven't I. I should just go do all the things I said I'd do
and have a fantastic time. Thanks a lot Pats. Right, now I'm all
decided I think I'll make another decision. Who wants another drink, my
round' said Jacob
'Oh me, me, thank you very much, a pint of lager please' said Paddy
jumping to his feet. 'You wanna hand with'em carrying'em out
ere.'
'Yeah, tar Pad. You two (talking to Patsy and Miller) what you having?
Said Jacob, now looking quiet content.
'Just same again mate' said Miller who looked as if it was his turn to
look glum.
'Very well, see ya in a tick' said Jacob as he and Paddy disappeared
back inside to get the next round.

Once the two were at the bar Miller turned to Patsy and began to
argue.
'What is with you? Why don't you want him to stay, you want me to have
no friends or what?' said Miller quiet furiously to Patsy
'Look if he wants to go you can not keep him here just to keep yourself
happy!' she replied
'Don't lie, your jealous and I don't know why, we're best friends, in
fact he's like a brother to me, we've done everything together!' said
Miller
'Yeah well, it seems to me you prefer I wasn't here then so you can
have your precious time together' said Patsy is a dejected way
'Oh don't be like that' said Miller now becoming less angry but still
annoyed that Patsy was going into one of her sulky moods that he
couldn't win an argument against. Once he knew she was going into a
strop he decided he would have to give in to her opinion to have a
peaceful afternoon or else she would make sure the rest of the day
hellish 'We're just best friends like any other mates. You know you
mean the world to me babe but that doesn't mean I can talk to you only
and no one else to prove that, does it?' he said trying to sweeten
her
'No, I know I am being silly, sorry but just listen a second. Maybe you
should just be happy for him, don't you think. I do not think Jacob
going to be happy if his father ropes him back into that public house
of his' said Patsy now in a softer voice
'I s'pose luv, but I'm gonna offer him a lift to the city cos you know
he ani't got no money, you don't mind do ya?' said Miller looking sad
accepting defeat
'No, course I don't mind Matthew' said Patsy giving him a warm hug with
a smirk on her face, knowing Jacob would soon be gone.

Jacob came back from the bar looking even happier than when he went in,
as if he no longer felt the heavy weight of burden or despair on his
shoulders anymore. Behind Jacob tagged along Paddy helping to carry the
drinks just brought and holding onto the packet of crisps he had
decided on buying, salt and vinegar.
For the next couple of hours on the glorious Sunday afternoon the four
friends sat laughing and remembering about past good times as friends
often do when their spirits are as high as the affectionate sun. No
longer did Jacob feel sad since his mates had done what friends do best
and made him smile again and thankful for waking up that morning.

'Remember that time you and Patsy went swimming in the nod that night
on the beach?' laughed Paddy talking to Miller
'Oh yeah' said Jacob with a smiling laugh as he shook his head
'What!' said Patsy sternly as Paddy and Jacob continued to laugh
'Yeah remember you went swimming in the nude last summer after you left
the pub that night after Mill's birthday ere, hee hee' continued
Paddy
'It was you!' said Miller but somehow not as surprised as Patsy
was
'Ha ha ha' laughed Paddy, 'it was me, ha ha, the masked Paddy (as if
refereeing to himself of some kind of comic villain) and him too'
pointing to Jacob 'oh that was a cracker'.
'Patrick O'Shea, (Paddy's full name) that was not at all funny' fumed
Patsy
'Ay Patsy luv, come on it was a year or more ago now. Surely you can
see dee funny side of it now' said Jacob
'I do not care; it was soooo embarrassing! How could you do it Patrick?
AND you Jacob, well I would have expected better. This fellow here
(pointing to Paddy) will lead you into many a mischief he will' said
Patsy with a rising face and looking quiet serious
'I can't believe you did that' said Miller teaming up with Patsy to
condemn Jacob and Paddy for they're past crime. 'So many people saw us
after what you did, still today I can't look those grannies in the
eye!'
While the four (now so called) friends laughed and argued a fifth small
lad appeared from the bar door and sat at their beer garden table with
a pint in one hand and a shot in the other.
'Oh, alright Lee, what you doing ere' said Jacob as he took a break
from the ridiculous argument to greet someone he obviously knew
'I've just cum down cos your brother'll be ere later' answered Lee.
'What you all yelling bout, I could hear ya all the way in there I
could'
'Ar ha ha, Paddy just left slip about what me and him did to Mills and
Patsy ere last summer after his birthday' said Jacob
'Oh yer' giggled Lee 'I remember Peter telling me sum'ink vaguely ages
ago bout it. Wasn't he there with ya both also?'
'Yeah he was' sadly said Jacob talking to Lee as Paddy, Miller and
Patsy continued to argue beside them
'So what was it you did then, I can't much remember what Peter told me
cos I was probably bladdered when he did, he probably was too thinking
bout it so I'm not too sure what ya all actually did' said Lee while
almost finishing his first pint already.
'Well' said Jacob 'come over to the fruit machines and I'll tell
ya'.
'Alright' said Lee as he and Jacob stood up together with glasses in
their hands.
'Right you lot' said Jacob to the rest of his friends sitting down 'I'm
just off to play the machines so I'll leave ya all to it for a bit' he
said, but not much notice was taken amongst the juvenile arguing.
Jacob and Lee stood around the fruit machine inside the bar as Jacob
began to tell his story.
'Miller had just had he'd party in dee pub remember and we were all
well and truly tanked up when Paddy over heard Patsy say to Miller
about going for a sneaky skinny dip down the beach. So off they quickly
disappeared for sum monkey loving down there I suppose when Paddy told
us all what he'd heard. Pete having his Hank head on (Peter name for
himself when he was drunk, apparently his Mr Hyde self) decided it'd be
funny to follow'em down with the video camera and film it so we could
put it on the big screen in the pub the next day. Don't you remember
any of this? You were in the pub that night, the day before you went to
Ibiza with Peter and Chris' alleged Jacob
'No way, if it was a party I would'a been pie eyed in a corner
somewhere, anyway carry on' assumed Lee, now finished his pint and
downing his shot.
'Ok, anyway as I was saying. We grabbed the camera and Paddy, Peter,
Chris and I went down the beach quietly to see what they were up to.
Sure enough they were there splashing around in all their glory with
only their birthday suit's on' said Jacob
'What? You saw Patsy in the nude' eagerly said Lee. 'I bet she's a bit
of alright ain't she?
'Oh yeah' laughed Jacob; 'anyway!' he snapped, getting back to the
story. ' They were both there splashing around, making so much noise
the didn't hear us fumble down the hill to where they were. Peter was
their filming away making silly commentaries for the camera and the
rest of us just watched laughing when Paddy noticed their clothes,
knickers and all, on the bench just in front of us. Now come on, we
were drunk and being drunk it would'a been a crime not to have sum fun
so... we took the clothes, old gag I know but still a goodun. However,
there's more. We made a trail back up the hill for them to follow to
get their clothes and then we snuck back down to watch it all unfold.
Out the water they came laughing then the inevitable shriek from Patsy
and sure enough she hid back in the water while she order poor Miller
bout to find the clothes. Oh it was funny, you should'a seen him,
groping around in the dark, frantic and all'.
'You cruel bugger' said Lee with a smile as he stood next to the bar
ordering his second pint already
'Anyway Patsy thinking she knows best decides to cum out the water to
do it herself as she's resigned Miller to being useless.' Said
Jacob
'Wow, all that time you saw her in the nude' said a day dreaming
Lee
'Oi I'm telling a story here, not describing a porno' snapped
Jacob
'Not what it sounds like to me mate' quipped Lee
'Anyhow, she finally comes across the trailer and decides to follow it
while... she used a deck chair to hide her modesty ha ha' continued
Jacob
'Shame' said Lee to himself (shame about the hiding modesty
remark)
'So up the hill she goes, ordering Miller along in her stropping quote
' I am the queen' manner while he's still nakie ha! So we're all hiding
behind this big piece of rock filming the lot' laughed Jacob
'Oh mate I want that tape' interrupted Lee
'I bet your missus wouldn't appreciate you duelling over Patsy said
Jacob
'Probably not, anyway finish this story will ya' said Lee
' I WILL! If you bloody let me. SO! Up the hill they go with all of us
following behind filming the lot and she shrieks again. Obviously, she
seen where we'd put their clothes' said Jacob
'Where?' wondered Lee
'Well we managed to sneak in the old people retirement home just a bit
down from me pub and put them on the reception desk. The clothes hadn't
been moved and were still there since none of the old badgers had
clocked on yet, too busy listening to some old singer I s'pose. Anyway,
Patsy again orders poor white butt Miller into the old people home to
git the clothes quick. So off he runs in all his beauty (ha ha) into
the home. As he grabs all the clothes in his arms an army of old
grannies come out of their lounge area cos the singer finish, right.
Now I don't know if they screamed in delight or shock but I know Miller
never been so afraid in all his life as they beat down on im. He said
later he didn't know if they were hitting im or groping im but he ran
out of there quick enough. Anyway Peter had it all on film and we ran
back to the pub and Patsy has never been none the wiser' finished
Jacob
'What but Mill's found out?' asked Lee
'Course, he saw it all on the big screen the next day. What could he
say, he laughed in the end but dared not tell Patsy and made us all
swore not too either or else she'd av stopped im cuming dee pub.
Haven't ya ever wondered why we framed that newspaper article about the
granny flasher on the wall Lee? Said Jacob
'To be honest mate once I'm in a pub I don't look at the walls, me
drink is all that matters to me' he said as he finished his second pint
while ordering his third.
'You know that was a great night. I suppose it was the last time me and
Peter had a laugh together' said Jacob then looking gravely at
Lee
'That was until you lot took'm on that holiday. He came back just like
you and Chris, a bloody pissheed' said Jacob to Lee
'Why thank you' said Lee
'Nar, I'm not joking. Pete and me use to be fine till he started
hanging around with you lot. Look, you've had three pints to my one ere
already since you arrived' stated Jacob
'So, so what? Its Sunday, at least Peter's fun. Ok that story you just
told me, funny right. Happened the beginning of last summer? Since then
me Pete and Chris had have many laughs like it but I bet that was your
last one wasn't it'. Self-righteously said Lee
'Yeah it was and you know why! Since you lot took that holiday the day
after abroad, Peter came back a drunk. Now I had to do the entire work
alone cos you know what our's dad like, he isn't gonna help none. So
while you lot partied I was bogged down in it all. Its always been hard
but it was a little better when Pete was there. Once he was gone I was
alone and my social life died that day he went away!' said Jacob slowly
falling back into the slump he was in earlier
'Look, Peter is his own man, you can't blame me for that! I think in
fact I'll go look for him now cos he should'a been here a while ago but
I s'pose friends care like that. Not like you buggering off to where
ever and living ya family!' fumed Lee
Jacob rose from the stool he was sitting on and grabbed the back of
Lee's arm pulling his malice face.
'Don't you accuse me of nowt!' said Jacob who took no notice of the
fact that he was hurting Lee's arm 'we fell out cos of you. 'Come to
the pub' you'd say to him every single bloody day and you expect me not
to moan. Like you said Peters his own man and he doesn't need me to
look after him none. He hasn't helped me lately and I sure as hell
ain't gonna be helping him none in the future until he figures out what
an arse he's being. Therefore, you can go tell him that when you do
your good friend deed of pulling him out of whatever gutter you helped
put him in! Ok' roared Jacob and with that he left Lee nursing a
bruised arm and a bit to ponder about.

Again, Jacob came out of the bar into the beer garden but this time the
stresses of the world were back on his shoulders. Hoping that his
friends had stopped the argument, he was presented with something much
worse. While he was shouting at Lee inside he had failed to notice the
noises from outside. Standing at the table where he had once been
sitting, stood the tall intoxicated brute who he had the unfortunate
dealings with the night before in the pub. The drunk stood towering and
screaming over at both Paddy and Miller, while Patsy was nowhere to be
seen.
'A ya wee eickle bar steward from last night. Look it ere at me
bleeding face, you did that then called dee old bloody bill didn't ya
boy, well their not ere now!' said the intimidating drunk to Miller
where he sat
'Not again' thought Jacob. This was another reason why often he could
not venture out normally. The problem with running a popular pub is
that occasionally (or a lot in the Royal Dumpling case) you do have to
bar those who are a nuisance or threat to the nice environment you wish
to maintain in your establishment. However, when you do so that
individual or group of people are not barred from an other pub, so on
your own night out, you could very well run into them. Now if this
happens you would find them not best pleased at being barred and most
likely to express their feelings with their fists. Often then the case
means that its better to stay in your own pub for your best interests,
however Jacob didn't give much thought to this considering all that had
recently happened (Another reason for Jacob to want to return to the
city).

'Sod off will ya' shouted Paddy who was not afraid to stand his ground
but often spoke before he thought.
'Shhhhhh' hissed Miller to Paddy who wasn't as confident in fighting
when he didn't have the back up of many others he would usually have
back in the pub (like the night before).
'Hush nothing' said Paddy to Miller 'he can go f' suddenly Paddy's bout
of bravery was swiftly cut short with a concrete clout to the jaw from
the drunk we earlier found out called Bert. Paddy crashed to the
ground, all 6ft, 17 stone of himself as a dead weight. Bert's attention
(or revenge) had now turned to Miller as Jacob rushed over from calling
the police. At the same time, Patsy had emerged and it seemed she had
been to the little girls room, only to be confronted with the shock of
a large man picking on her beloved Matthew.
'Oi the police are on their way mate, remember them!' called
Jacob
Bert only answer to that was a backhand across Jacobs's cheek that
floored him as easily as Paddy was. Miller quickly stumbled back off
his chair to avoid the onslaught coming his way. With hands and feet on
the floor, he hoped for some help from one of the many people around
him in the crowded beer garden but it seemed all this just entertained
their Sunday evening more. However suddenly, leaped in his girlfriend
Patsy who stood herself firmly between her lover and his
aggressor.

'What on earth are you doing sir?' Patsy demanded to know.
'Out of me way eickle miss, I have no qualms bout whacking yal too!'
said Bert
'You'll do no such thing sir or you'll get a kung fu kick to the head!'
said Patsy defending her frightened man.
Bert looked down on the pretty woman frowning back up at him and
chuckled.
'I don't think you could reach my head could you.' questioned
Bert
'Oh you don't think so' said Patsy
Patsy took a step back and processed to make a pose, which just added
to Bert's amusement.
'What are you doing, he's gonna hurt ay' whispered Miller nervously to
his guiding girlfriend
'Oh shut up Matthew, you will get yourself into these silly matters and
now as usual I will get you out' snapped Patsy
'Well then let see it' said Bert unable to believe a little lady could
kick so high to hit his head.
With a glimmer in her eyes, grit of her teeth and a mighty war cry,
Patsy charge forwards rhino style and head butted Bert in his delicates
and then stood back in her pose to witness the reaction.
With a yell, you would not think human and cross-eyes, Bert fell to the
ground and wept.
'Yer bitch!' said Patsy to the fallen victim of her wrath.
The crowd cheered and appalled their new little heroine. Jacob and
Paddy came around from their spell of unconsciousness and leapt on the
man while Patsy basked in the cheers of the ground.
When the police arrived ten minutes latter Bert was still grounded and
cried more so than ever before in his adult life. Once again, he was
carted away by the men in blue who mocked him as they pushed him in the
police van he was all too familiar with.

For the next hour Patsy drank all the drinks brought for her by her
many admires while Jason and Paddy nursed a painful head and Miller
nursed a damaged pride.
'Right I think I'll can it for today and call it a night' said
Jacob
'Yeah too right mate. Ain't you finish those drinks yet Patty?' said
Paddy
'That is Patsy and yes I am now ready to go home to get ready to fight
another day (hic) hee hee. I do not know why you moan about it so (hic)
much Matthew, I found stopping that brute (hic) today quite
satisfactory (hic)' said Pats with a quirk
'Yeah well you haven't been booted a million times have ya' answered a
sorrowful Miller
'Ere ere' chanted Jacob 'come on we've all had enough and its getting
cold so lets go home shall we. Mill and me ere have a long drive
tomorrow. (Miller have offered that lift to the city to Jacob during
the happier part of the day before the argument about the missing
clothes occurred) so I think'll be needing that earlier night' said
Jacob

As the group of four stood up, mostly battered and tipsy, Jacob
wondered to himself what had come of his brother who Lee had said was
coming hours ago.
'What do you think happened to Pete?' asked Jacob
'I dunno, perhaps he just went another pub' answered Miller
'Don't be worrying yourself about that brother of yours Jacob (hic),
he's big enough and ugly enough to take care of himself' said Patsy in
all her wisdom, though now she needed the help of Miller to walk up
right due to her many beverages.
'I suppose' said Jacob unknowingly
As they stood up, they found themselves the first to leave the beer
garden amongst the hard core of drinkers around them. The sky had
turned a shade of pink and purple as the sun had started to set, and as
the sea twinkled with beauty Jacob realized that the breath taking
scenery was all he was really going to miss of this town he had called
home for so long now. He would miss only was nature would tease him to
stay with apart from the few best friends he had made. He had decided
he would return to the city from the north he had originally came from
and that Miller would take him so they could have a one last lads night
out when they got there. Paddy would have come also but he had no one
to watch his family shop for him that day and Patsy didn't care too
much for the city being brought up on tales of how dangerous they
were.
Patsy and Millers rented flat was only a short walk from the harbour
and so they all decided to go there to salvage what was left of the
night. They walked out of the garden exit and into the small town
centre where many other people were now ploughing around in drunken
crowds, shouting silly things and looking absurd. The four kept quiet
and walked promptly by, always aware that one of the crowds may pick a
fight in their intoxicated state. However, it seemed tonight there was
no worry of that happening to the four since some other poor soul was
feeling the brute end of a drunken crowd anger, being booted by a group
of louts over nearer the harbour.

'Right, I'm going over to go help him (hic, hic), that's my job now,
helping people' said Patsy who was now obviously very drunk.
'No you won't, none of us will. He wouldn't help us, just leave it its
not our fight' said Miller whose lack of help earlier had clouded his
usual instinct to aid.
'Someone should do something, their really hurting him. Pad come with
me, Mill watch your bird unless we need sum help, alright' said
Jacob

As Jacob got closer his good deed soon became apparent to him that it
was more in fact a big brother duty to be performed since the poor soul
being booted was none other than his brother Peter. Instead of going
over to reason with the louts, Jacob waged into full war throwing
himself over two of the six strong crowd. Quickly Paddy raced with
Jacob and craved into the crowd. Seeing this sudden burst of brawling
Miller soon darted over to help his friends, leaving Patsy slumped in
the corner of a shop doorway merrily singing to herself.
Jacob managed to keep in the fight all of ten seconds before being hurt
badly again since the fresh blows were just adding to the pain of the
old ones he had received from Bert. Jacob then just crouched himself
over his brother to protect him from anymore punches or injuries. Paddy
being the big lad he was stood his ground easily against the tiny thugs
while Miller kept off any of those who tried to attack Paddy from
behind. It could not be said Jacob, Paddy and Miller won the fight but
to say they stopped it and held off anymore attacks. The young drunk
hooligans decided they have had enough and disappeared around a
corner.
Once the lads were gone, Miller went back to Patsy to help her up and
head off home while she slung her arms around him and told him over
again how much she 'really really really loved him'.
Paddy and Jacob stayed where they were to check Peter was not seriously
hurt.

'He'll be ok. A bruised face, a chipped tooth and a few aches and pains
but nothing broken' said the paramedic who Jacob had called. 'We'll get
him for a quick check then you can take him home to sleep off this
drunken state he's in. no doubt he won't remember a thing, most of'em
don't'.
'Thanks a lot' said Jacob who got in the ambulance watching over his
brother.

Once Peter was given the ok at the hospital, Jacob took his still
inebriated brother into a taxi to take back home to the Royal Dumpling.
Just before the taxis got to the pub Jacob got out a few houses before
and paid the taxis driver a bit extra to help get his brother back
inside. With his hands in his pockets and his collar pulled up over his
face to keep the cold night breeze at bay, he watched on at the taxis.
At the side door of the pub, it stopped and the driver had to ring the
bell several times. Jacob would have gone to open the door but noticed
his father's room light appear. From afar, he saw his father swing open
the door and scream bloody murder at his brother who was in no state to
hear anything. His father ranted about being woken and pulled Peter
inside. Then to Jacobs, brief amusement the taxis driver not noticing
Jacob still stood at the end of the street asked his father for the
taxis bill! Jacob just laughed but once the pub door had closed and the
shouting continued, his heart sank again. Maybe Lee was spot on; with
his family in such a state, maybe he was abandoning them.

Jacob waited for his fathers light to go back off so he knew he had
gone back to sleep and then walked passed the pub to the cliff end.
There he walked along thinking about what he mother would think of him
leaving the family behind, would she hate him for it he thought?
Nevertheless, what was best for him to do? His mother was dead and she
could not help him now he thought.
He knew he's father attitude was probably all down to his mother's
death but still he could not take that out on him and his brother
forever, or would he? Perhaps.
Peter, what of him? When Jacob found him lying battered, where were the
'better than family' friends he supposedly had? Nowhere and they will
still be nowhere whenever he is in trouble. Maybe he should stay for
Peter and try making him realize he could not continue drinking the way
he did but would he thank him and then more angrily he thought. If he
were in trouble, would Peter help him, probably not, maybe, who
knew?
Jacob continued to walk along in the dark while all the fancy lights
that decorated the holiday resort vicinity were switched off.
'I will go the city' Jacob thought to himself. 'Maybe not forever but
for a short while to sort myself out and give my family breathing
space, perhaps they will learn to survive without me, its not like I
won't see'em again'.
Jacob continues his walk and decides to go back to the flat, for
tomorrow he and Miller will head to the city and with any luck be on
his way to something much better!