He was walking slowly. The hill was steep enough anyway, though he'd managed it without any problems a dozen times or so since his arrival weeks before. Several pints this evening hadn't helped his speed. He'd got into a quiet state again, unable really to communicate even those few thoughts he had that would have been suitable to share.
He stumbled on the narrow pavement and came to a halt outside the Helmsman. Glancing across as he steadied himself - breathing slowly and with a great deal of noise all the while - he saw the light within. It seemed more inviting than he would have expected, but there were three or four other places between here and the fort. Enough options if he wanted a last drink.
Looking inside the Helmsman he thought he could see a woman reaching below a man's dirty apron. There was a group of reprehensible looking fellows speaking with their heads close together. He noticed one particularly quiet and nasty type looking at him right now. As he started to walk off, he could hear the bloke speaking towards him. He didn't wait around to find out what it was.
At the bottom of Cornet Street there had been prostitutes everywhere, and drunks singing in the cemetery. He tried to avoid even looking at anyone. Calling out, one of the women had said, "I've a good place for you to lie down, Captain". Of course they knew him for a soldier even though he wasn't in uniform.
Thinking now about the thing he wanted to hunt out, he kept walking up the hill. He was still making slow progress, but decided that he'd reward himself with a drink at the Dorset. Of course the drink was second choice. If his chosen quarry appeared then that would take priority.
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