As Rufus searched for Josie, Elli stood at the bar and was just about able to see the huge rottweiler dog-head serving. ‘'ere Miss,’ he said peering over the top. ‘You’re a bit young to be in ‘ere on your own, aren’t you?’ ‘Oh no, I’ve come with Rufus, over there,’ she shouted up at him. She pointed to where Rufus was sitting in the middle of a circle of people who mostly looked pleased to see him, although some were waving their fists and shouting. He was merrily ignoring them and was engrossed in conversation instead with a bearded man wearing an eye-patch. ‘Yes, I heard that old scoundrel was back. And you can tell him he never did pay off his tab, he still owes me thirty groats. Or apologise about my wife. Still, that’s all water under the bridge now. What can I get you then? Are you staying down here or going up to hear that racket?’ he asked, as the sound of various badly-tuned instruments carried downstairs.
