My story starts in the Bitter End pub, Crewe and ends with a bitter disappointment.....
I was in my late twenties around 1985 and single at the time. It was a cold December evening, I was out for a drink in the 'Bitter End' pub in Crewe with a friend, his wife had stayed at home as their young son was not well and she would say with him while my friend was to phone home (payphone then) every hour or so and see how he was, it got to about 9.30pm, when he phoned his wife to see how their son was his wife said son was still ill and it would be better if my friend went home. I still had 3/4 of a pint and said I would stay to finish it and with that he left and went home.
There were about 20 other people in the pub and all in groups so I stood at the bar and even though I was on my own there was a good atmosphere what with the approach to Christmas. I did not relish the cold walk home which was only about a mile so on finishing my pint I ordered another, the barman was chatty, my age and I thought may be gay, when he was not busy he came chatting to me about all sorts, sport, work, life in general and introduced himself as Peter, he also in conservation confirmed my thought he was gay. I ended up staying until last orders and I was the last customer still in, he said I could have one more drink with him and we sat at a table chatting, when we finished the drinks he said he had to lock up, so I left and started the walk home.