Hando finished his day’s work on the docks and wandered down the street looking for the leather shop Marce said she worked for. Heads were turning as he walked by but he didn’t care he was used to it. He had his sleeves rolled up and his tats were very evident. He had no thought of approaching her he just wanted to see if she really worked there and just…to see.

Marce was dressing a mannequin in the window and Hando stopped and moved back to the corner of the building. He didn’t want her to know he was there…looking for her.  He waited a minute and started to move off.

"Well hey there Hando," Marce had stepped out of the store to view her window.

Hando stopped and turned, shoving his hands in his pockets. "Marce." He nodded

"I’ve been thinking of riding back out to see you." She said

"Yeah why didn’t you?"

"I’ve been busy working extra hours and I didn’t think I could find the road after dark."

"What time do you get off?"

"I’m supposed to work until eight."

"What does that mean?"

"It means I could probably get off at seven since I’ve already got my time in this week. Will you still be around?"

Hando looked away making up his mind, "I can be."

"Good, I can meet you at the pub on the corner there if that’s okay."

"Yeah, see ya." He met her eyes for a minute and turned walking back down the street.  He had an hour to kill and he’d seen enough of the docks today. He walked over to the park and sat down pulling the paper he’d picked up at The Glen that morning from his jacket. He noticed the open invitation to a wedding on the page and laughed out loud.  Like he’d be interested in that…still it might be a good thing to know who lived around there. His mind wandered…maybe Marce would go with him if he decided to go. Ah what the fuck was he thinking about anyway…some toffs wedding. He folded the paper and walked back out of the park heading for the pub. Must be getting soft in the head…its living here in this place, he thought, not having his mates around and no action going on.

Marce found him a few minutes after seven at a table in the corner. "Sorry you had to wait on me."

"What are you drinking?" he asked

"Gin and orange," she replied and smiled and watched him go after the drinks.

"So why are you working so many hours you can’t get out to see me?" he asked sitting down with the drinks.

"I need the money; rent’s coming due in a few weeks."

"Yeah where do you live?"

"I’ve got a tiny apartment on the other side of the main highway. Would you like to see it?"

Hando took a long drink, "no," he looked up and met her eyes; "I’d like you to come home with me."

"Just like that," she teased, "I think I’d like that too. I could follow you out there."

"Bring your overnight things."

"You certainly have a way with words don’t you?"

"Words just get in the way they don’t mean anything anyway." He smiled.