A Quiet Night

[Adelaide Grey]

While the smell of cigarettes and alcohol mixed with fish still lingered in the air, it was no where near as strong as usual in the Black Eyed Girl. Adelaide stood behind the bar and looked around, the last customer had stumbled out about half hour ago, and it was still early in the night. With a content sigh, the brunette locked the cash register, picked up a squirty bottle filled with a soapy liquid, and a cloth before walking around to each table, wiping them clean.

At the sound of the squirty bottle, an excited nicker rang outside the back door, Adelaide smiled and caught sight of two familiar pointed ears through the window, "Yes, I'm coming Bobby." she replied with a laugh. The chestnut island pony must have devoured his hay for the night and is looking forward to going home to his warm shed. Bobby is such cool pony, he takes everything in his stride without looking twice, that's why Adelaide loved him so. She knew she could just jump on his back at anytime and he'd take her where she'd want to go with no questions asked.

The thought of going home early also excited Adelaide though there was a hint of anxiety lodged in her stomach. The same anxiety she gets every night when she has to leave Bel in his stable. Sure, the stable was built specifically to hold a water horse, but my it was old. Adelaide is always a little worried that Bel's evening feed will not be enough to keep him content until she returned from work, she's worried that one day she'll come home and the magnificent buckskin will be gone, returned to the sea that calls his name.

The sound of footsteps approaching the pub caught the woman's attention, a slightly irritated look passed over Adelaide's face for a split second. She heard the door open, "I'm sorry, but the pub closes in ten." she said kindly without turning around. After Adelaide wiped clean the table she was standing at, she had realised the person was still standing in the doorway. Ah well, a customer's a customer. She thought to herself before turning to face the person, a cheerful smile on her face, "But you're welcome to stay until then if you'd like?"