“I won’t have a pint,” said Graham moodily at the bar in the pub they always went to. “I’ll have a large water.”

This was not what Simon had hoped for, even though drinking beer with Graham could be difficult and this option was cheaper.

“I’m having a pint,” he tried hopefully, but Graham didn’t respond.

Holding their drinks they moved down the thin, dark space, to the back. The place was empty but their usual table wasn’t, so they shifted the mess next door. Cricket was blasting from the big screen.

After a minute Simon said, “I’ve been fired.”