I shove my more reckless thoughts aside as Gabe leads us through the narrow corridor.
Breathe, Cillian. Just fucking breathe.
Everything in here is black.
Black walls.
Black ceiling.
Black cement tiles.
The only points of lights are the lanterns occupying the wall sconces.
When we reach the door at the end of the corridor, Gabe waves us through.
“Have fun,” he says, without much enthusiasm behind the sentiment.
As Saoirse’s stepping in, I glance back at Gabe and give him a wink. “Don’t worry, man. The right girl’s gonna come your way. In fact, I have a friend who’s perfect for you. She won last year’s heavyweight champion prize and—”
He growls and hurls one of his keys at my face, but I manage to shut the door before it hits me.
I’m still chuckling when I turn to Saoirse. “We’re old friends,” I explain.
“Funny. I couldn’t tell.”
The room we’re in is small, but it’s meant to be. It’s only a pathway to the main body of the pub. There’s a tall flight of stairs right in front of us.
“Do people ever just give up halfway?” Saoirse asks. “We must be halfway to America by now.”
I chuckle. “There are other ways to get up,” I admit. “But this entrance is more…”
“Dramatic?” she offers.
“Precisely. Now you’re starting to get me.”
We climb the tall flight of stairs. As we get to the final landing, the music reaches us from just beyond the door. I push it open and wave Saoirse inside.
“So… this is it,” I say, gesturing towards the pub.
The set-up is pretty standard. But there are a few little differences that set it apart. Take it from an ordinary pub to exclusive hideaway.
Brick façade walls that are decorated with a bunch of old-school football posters and musical instruments hanging off antique hinges every few feet.
The tables are spaced out and set with high barstools bearing built-in leather cushions.
The gleaming mahogany bar sits in the very center of the space, surrounded by more barstools, each different from the last.
Glasses, beer mugs, and wine bottles appear to be suspended from the ceiling above the bartender.
Probably all for show, but I like the effect all the same.
There’s tons of greenery everywhere, too. Vines snaking up part of the brick façade, and huge leafy bastards blossoming in the corners.
I glance at Saoirse. It’s clear she’s transfixed. Her eyes are wide as she takes it all in.
“Wow,” she breathes. “This is something. How have I never heard of this place?”
“Um, well… The fellows that frequent this particular pub tend to run in exclusive circles.”