Chapter Ten: 'Slippery Returns', An Unwelcome Visitor To The Pub, and The 'Stork' Arrives'.
The next Friday afternoon came round quickly enough. The weather was equally grim, that perpetual leaden gray sky that never seemed to want to go away.
We were a bit low on numbers. The 'detectives' would come a bit later. Pamela Parsons and the 'academics' were all pretty busy. They sent their apologies. Sandra and Kevin as well were missing. They too had college work to catch up with. The 'Majors' were there though. Percy and Humphrey were like added fixtures to the furniture in the Bull Lounge. Their good wives were on some earnest mission of some sort. This could be why their respective marriages had lasted so long. They all knew their respective 'perfect imperfections' all too well. Given they were all now retired too, going to the Bull most weekday afternoons seemed a useful avoidance strategy.
Isabella and I were nowhere near that yet. She relished meeting up with me after work here in the Lounge Bar Restaurant, which she hoped to do soon.
Things were pretty normal in the Bull's Lounge Bar as well. The regular customers had all comeback. Local officer workers etc were regularly booking tables again in the pub's restaurants.
All the barmaids and Sven were back. Extra staff could be found at any time. Beryl and Sid called on their daughters' restaurant for further staff. They knew that these people would be vetted and trusted.
So I settled back and took a sip of the Bull's very fine real ale. Humphrey and Percy remarked on the latest developments that were sent to them on the 'Slippery Jake' web page.
They had kept abreast of computer and cell/mobile phone developments. This way they had an added window onto the world as well as their trusted Daily Telegraph and BBC television.
"I can't say I am happy with some of these film proposals young David. The television documentary looks fine though."
"I am inclined to agree.", I replied.
We had all sent back our thoughts and comments to Pamela. All in all, this was proceeding quite nicely. There was no rush in any of this. We wanted to get things right, all of us.
It was about now that Slippery reappeared. Maybe he had spent enough time on his 'naughty step'. Maybe he was quite a sensitive ghostie after all? The stimulus of course was Lina cleaning 'Old Slippery's Chair'. He came into view, dressed to the 'nines'. He was wearing a full red jacket and rich red breeches along with a flamboyant waistcoat. Yes, his hat, red cape, and trusted sword were actual items, that mysteriously transported from his trunk directly below him in the pub's cellar when he required them. But for all the rest? Just what kind of vast wardrobe was being kept in the depths of Hell? This appeared to be for his delectation. This was all totally inexplicable. Hardly eternal torture for an aesthete dandy like Old Slippery. He had totally devoted his life to his pleasures.
'Dressing up' was very much part of this. This was just what he was doing now. Was he being allowed some slack for the potential services he was about to render?
People at their dining tables started to get restless. Some were looking pensively across at the old ghost. A number had seen Slippery Jake before, but newcomers were new to him. Plus everybody had remembered recent events in the Bull Pub.
Sid came from around the bar. He reassured people that there was nothing to worry about. He then bowed towards Slippery touching his forehead. The resident ghost reciprocated by standing up, bowing, and giving an extravagant twirl of his pretty large three-cornered hat. This was his actual hat.
There were gasps all around. Slippery continued to sit in his chair. He seemed contented to simply look around him. Yes, he was especially interested in the barmaids, and Sven. He also picked out any ladies in the Lounge Bar that took his interest. He had that same lascivious sneer. His vast libido seemed pretty intact in the afterlife.
"Ah the Old Slippery is back, drooling over the young ladies," Percy remarked.
"And the occasional young man," Humphrey added.
"Yes, he does seem to 'bat on both sides.' Nothing wrong with that. I will send a comment across to the web page on this matter."
"He does look rather pukka!" Percy interjected.
We all settled back and continued sipping our beers. There was no hurry. It was about then that I noticed a rather disheveled gentleman sitting in a corner watching everything very closely.
I gave Percy a nudge and nodded in the direction of this fellow.
"Who is he, Percy? I think I have seen him here before."
"I am not sure, but yes, he was very much around when the other reporters were here. He seemed to want to remain hidden. He looks like a very unsavoury character to me. The Detective Chief Inspector will know who he is. He seems to be hiding from our ghost as well."
We continued to monitor this individual for a while. He seemed to be making notes in his notebook. He ordered the odd pint. He also ordered a basic hamburger with chips (french fries), for his meal.
I went up to the bar and got in another round. For me, that was half a pint, unless Isabella turned up soon. However, getting her to drive back was more than a bit cheeky especially after the long hours she always put in. I had a word with Sid quietly.
"Ah, a freelance hack. Sends salacious copy across to the 'red top' press and any other dodgy outlets. He is no trouble as such, but he does lower the 'tone' of the place. He is just waiting for another 'incident' here."
With that, I sat down. On cue, the Detective Chief Inspector came in with his two apprentices. They had had a lot of work to clear up, including some serious robberies where there was ABH (actual bodily harm). Big beaming smiles came over the faces of Lina and Magda. They soon went over to our table and drinks were ordered.
I raised the question of the gentleman in the corner with the Detective Chief Inspector.
"Ah, Mr. Sealers, or 'Sealers the Snake'. A slimy freelance reporter is on the lookout for anything juicy. I did use him for a while as a snout, an informer. He is far from reliable. Most of what he writes is made up, well pretty well all of it. It is always sensational. He gets by because papers and the rest need to fill up space every day. He was having a high old time when ' Old Slippery' went 'ape' with the 'Ruskies'. Things must be quiet out there or he has lost his imaginative juices. He loves sordid stuff like Judges with Call Girls. Half the time he makes it up. Avoid eye contact with him. I guess he knows I am here."
With that I noticed the ghost looking inquisitively in the direction of the reporter. Old Slippery did not seem happy. The Detective Chief Inspector gave the ghost a look as if to say 'back off ' for now.
"Better Slippery chooses the right moment. But if he does try anything, then the 'Snake' will really plaster everything all over the media. Need to nail that s***. Will give this some thought."
With this, the Detective Chief Inspector nodded across to Old Slippery. It was bizarre but these two were starting to develop a good understanding. Justin, his trainee
detective noted:
"He seems to 'read' people really well."
"He does my son. Maybe he can read our 'souls'. He would make a great detective."
The Detective Chief Inspector had made an important point.
With this Isabella came in beaming.
"I have some very important news love, we are going to have a baby."
I sat back in my chair with a strange feeling of elation. This had been overheard. There were congratulations all around.
Magda came over and added:
"Poo poo cleaning for you now Paul!"
This produced a laugh from everyone. Magda looked across at James with a certain look in her eyes. This is where she wanted to be soon too. This did not escape Beryl either. This was inevitable she thought. Both Sid and herself had to do some long-term planning soon.
What was stranger, or maybe not given recent developments, was Old Slippery's reaction.
He looked hard at Isabella and down to her tummy. He sat back with a wide smile on his face. This seemed very paternal.
This did not escape everybody else either.
James then commented.
"Is there nothing that ghost doesn't notice?"
"Nothing!" Came the Detective Chief Inspectors' reply!
With this Isabella and I went home. A whole new chapter had opened in my life. If all went well I would soon be a father. Isabella was beaming.