17

The pub was located opposite the dog-walking park. It was a traditional Victorian building set behind a large carpark that always had the same three cars present. This carpark was mostly used as an outdoor smoking area since the outdoor ban, as much as the landlady tried to discourage it.

Unfortunately, Tom and his friends currently loitered around the sloped disabled ramp, meaning Scarlett's group would have to pass them on the way inside.

Tom looked up, giving the lads a cursory glance before pinning Scarlett and Sienna with his stare.

"Ladies," he said in a cheery tone, blowing smoke in her face.

Both girls ignored him as they made their way into the pub, to the familiar smells of spilt beer and wood polish.

Tom and his gang entered just as they placed coins on the table, seeing a game in progress.

"House rules is that the winner stays on," Tom's best mate Dylan said to Adrian when they clocked the pile of coins.

"Well, I want to play him," Riley told them in a deadpan voice. He