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enough o’ you bloody Americans coming here, throwing your money around an’ thinking you know everything! I’m telling you—”
    “Whoa, gentlemen…” Brian came hurriedly out from behind the bar, his hands raised in a placating manner. “Why don’t we step outside and talk this out—”
    “I don’t need to step outside,” Mike snarled. “I know what I need to do right here!”
    And he lunged forwards and punched the American in the face. Cries of alarm erupted around the room and several people sprang up from their seats. I noticed, though, that the men standing around Mike had expressions of satisfaction on their faces. Guess the American hadn’t been making himself too popular. No one stepped in to help him either as he slowly picked himself up off the floor.
    Rubbing his jaw, he glared at Mike and said, “Is that your best shot, you drunk loser?”
    “Why you—!” Mike went for him, his hands around the American’s throat. This time, some of the other men jumped in to try and separate them.
    “Hey! Enough of that!” cried Brian, shoving his way between them and forcing them apart. The American said something with a sneer—too low for me to catch from the other side of the room—but it caused Mike to make another lunge for him.
    “You bastard! I’ll make you pay for that!” he yelled, as several of his friends tried to restrain him.
    Brian turned to the American. “Sir, you seem to be deliberately provoking him. I must ask you to leave.”
    The American gave a shrug. “Sure, no skin off my nose. Don’t know what the big deal is about this place anyway.” He gave the room a contemptuous look as he adjusted the collar on his shirt. “Bet I’ll find better drinks for cheaper in Oxford.”
    The door slammed shut behind him and there was an audible sigh of relief in the room.
    “Good riddance,” said Cassie in disgust. “What a pillock.”
    Brian was now talking to Mike Bailey and also asking him to leave. The latter was indignant.
    “I can’t believe you’re taking that bloody American’s side in this!”
    “I’m not taking anyone’s side,” said Brian wearily. “But I can’t have different rules for locals and tourists in my pub. You’ve caused trouble so I’m going to have to ask you to leave just like him.”
    Mike swore viciously, then he turned and banged out of the pub. I hoped that the American was already a good distance away otherwise there was likely to be another brawl out on the street. Several of Mike’s friends must have shared the same thoughts because they hastily followed him out. The sudden clearing of the pub made the whole place seem a lot quieter and reminded me of my dinner appointment.
    “Yikes!” I glanced at my watch and sprang to my feet. “I’d better get going. I’m going to be late for dinner!”
    “It’s only your parents. I’m sure they won’t mind if you’re a few minutes late,” said Cassie.
    “Are you kidding?” I gave her a look. “You know what my mother’s like. Punctuality is one of the Ten Commandments in her household.” I bent down and gave them both a peck on the cheek, then added to Cassie, “See you tomorrow.”
    “Don’t forget Daylight Savings ends tonight,” Seth spoke up. “So remember to turn your clocks back, otherwise you’ll be getting up an hour early for nothing.”
    Cassie groaned. “Oh my God, that’s what I did one year—and I got up and had showered and dressed for work before I realised it was still practically the middle of the night!”
    I laughed. “I nearly did something similar in Sydney. Anyway, it’s great to know that I’ll get an extra hour of sleep tonight. See you!”
    I gave them a smile and a cheery wave, and made my way out of the pub.

CHAPTER FIVE
     
     
     
     
    I made it back to my parents’ house with a minute to spare but by the time I’d hung up my cycle helmet and dashed into the downstairs toilet to wash my hands, I was definitely late when I arrived at the table.
    My