The Anchor is a pub in the Old Docklands. Technically it is part of the local council’s Maritime Heritage scheme, but no-one in there cares much about that. It’s a Victorian structure than stands on its own; wartime bombs took out the buildings on either side leaving The Anchor miraculously unscathed.
A few kids in leather and colourful mohicans, and another group dressed in high street pastels, ignore each other pointedly. You feel a psychic flex of danger as you pass between them, but Bae’s steady saunter reassures you that the tension is in balance.
Once inside the fug of beer and cigarettes hits you like a wall. Ale-coloured light is broken with brighter cones from the uplighters along the walls. The pub is busy, but not heaving. To the right is the bar, presided over by Aileen, who is laughing uproarously at something that a casual in a Lonsdale shirt has just said. To the left are arched booths which have been occupied by groups of drinkers. Out the back are the pool tables, patrolled by Adrian and other goths who you don’t recognise.
Sparrar stands up at a table and waves the two of you over.
Do you follow Bae over to Sparrar’s table? (goto 79)
Or do you tell Bae that you want to have a word with Adrian about something? (goto 92)