It had been another normal Friday night for us, differing only in the fact that Barry’s girl-friend, Jean, had accompanied us this time on the regular evening pub outing. The reason for that was because Barry was showing off as usual.

Barry had passed his driving test at the beginning of the week, and his father had presented him with the old family car, he having meanwhile bought a new one for himself.

Our friend had chauffeured us all in his new acquisition, and of course that meant that Jean had to come along as well. If you can’t show off to your girl-friend there’s just no justice in the world. Besides, as impressed as Harry and I might be, we’d only take the Mickey out of him. We actually didn’t mind Jean coming along, we had known her and her family for a long time, and we were all friends.

The evening had flown by in its usual manner, in a pub, although not our usual tavern. Because he now had wheels Barry had felt the need to explore, and so we ended up a long way from our normal watering holes. However, the beer was good, and bolstered up our conversation, and by the time last orders was called we all, Jean, Barry, Harry and I, had had more than enough to drink.

We clambered unsteadily into Barry’s chariot, Harry and me in the back, Jean in the front passenger seat and Barry behind the wheel, and set off in the general direction of our various homes. One thing about Barry, he didn’t mind taking us around, although that may also have been part of his showing off routine.

“When shall we three meet again?” Harry quoted ghoulishly.