A Game Of Pool (part 1)

 

“Two pints of Double Diamond and an orangeade for the lad”

It was an exciting time for a ten year old lad

The first time my dad had actually taken me into a pub

Usually I was left outside, sat on a beer crate

 

“Who’s the other pint for?” asked the barman

“It’s not for the young-un, is it?”

“No” said my dad, as he picked up the first pint

In his humongous calloused hand

And necked it in a oner

“His is the pop”

He grabbed the other pint

And handed me the bottle of orangeade

Complete with paper straw

 

“C’mon Cloggy, I’ll learn thi how to laik pool”

My dad never called anyone by their real name

Not even his own kids

Ever since I’d been in the infant’s school

And had my shoes confiscated for kicking other kids

He called me Cloggy

 

I grabbed my pop and followed him into the games room

Three local yokels were already playing pool

So my dad put two bob on the table

“It’s winner stops on” said one of the yokels

“Never mind” said mi dad

Putting another two bob on the table

“I’ll play our Cloggy, when I’ve beaten one of you”

“Ooo you’re confident” said one of the yokel’s

But really it was a none-contest