Excerpt: Inverfalen (Working Title)

Jenny looked up from behind the bar as the door swung open and Iain walked in, flanked by Ronnie and Ewan. He smiled and winked at Jenny before making his way over to the table nearest the door where Stephen was, unsurprisingly, sitting himself.
'Stevie, ma man! How's tricks?' He asked loudly, scraping a chair out from under the table. Ronnie and Ewan followed suit while Stephen smiled and shook his head.
'Trying to provoke someone are you?' He answered raising an eyebrow and taking a sip from his pint.
'Maybe,' Iain smiled.
'What a way you have with the ladies, Iain,' Stephen said with a smirk.

Jenny meanwhile, had slipped into the room behind the bar and stood with her hands on her hips, wondering whether to kick his arse now in front of everyone or leave it till later. Deciding to not make a scene she took a deep breath and put on her biggest fake smile before walking back out to the bar again. Her resolve didn't last more than a minute. The moment Iain noticed her come back through to the bar he raised his voice to tell a crude joke. When he'd finished he let rip with a raucous burst of laughter, slapping his hand off the table. Jenny narrowed her eyes in his direction and decided to abandon her previous good will gesture and get shot of him, if this was how he wanted to play it then fine, she wasn't one to shy away from confrontations.
'Iain!' Jenny shouted from the bar with her hands on her hips once more and a scowl on her face. 'Kindly get your arse over here.'

Iain looked up with a big smile and gave Jenny a thumbs up.
'Works every time,' he said with a wink, 'Now if you'll excuse me gents, unfinished business and all that,'
He grinned at the men, got up slowly and sauntered over to the bar.
'You called?' He asked innocently.
'What is your problem?' She replied, crossing her arms and glaring at him.
'Problem? I don't have a problem, sweetheart. I'm perfectly happy, but thanks for asking.'
Jenny narrowed her eyes and wrinkled her nose in disgust.
'Do you ever stop acting the goat? Might impress your pals, Iain, but it sure doesn't impress me. Now tell me, what part of you're barred don't you get?'
Iain cocked his head to one side and let out a soft sigh.
'You didn't read my letter, did you?' He asked her.
'What do you think?' Jenny replied with a harsh laugh.
'You should have read it, Jenny.' He said with a sad shake of his head.
'Why would I even consider it after the way you've treated me?' Jenny answered, looking at him expectantly.
Iain pursed his lips together and stared at the counter for a couple of seconds before turning to look her in the eye.
'No, you're quite right, why would you? I'll be off then.' He said, his voice full of overdone cheer and a small smile on his face.
'What?'
'See you around, Jenny. 'Mon boys.' He replied, turning sharply and cocking his head towards the door.
Ewan, Ronnie and Stephen looked at each other then hastily got to their feet and started for the door leaving Jenny with a confused expression on her face.