The customers at Paddlingsea's The Happy Tripper tried to enjoy the live musical entertainment provided by The Bouncing Cranberrys, but todays' news had meant that a serious mood hung over the pub.
The annual football derby match between Paddlingsea and Comley End had been declared void, following a scandel involving bribery and players. It had been proven that Comley End's goalkeeper, Ivor Shortley, had paid his opposit number, Ben Detoi of Paddlingsea to allow goals to be scored. Ivor knew that the manager of Muchcash Rovers was at the match, and he hoped to be asked to change teams. The final score of seventeen to two in Comley End's favour had set alarm bells ringing, and an investigation had revealed the truth. Ivor had tried to deny everything and even blamed Ben Detoi, saying Ben had taken a bribe from someone else, and was lying in telling the Police it was Ivor. Bank statements had soon proved the bribe had come fom Ivor, and Paddlingsea's supporters branded Ivor a cowerd, as well as a cheat.
The Bouncing Cranberrys, sensing a lack of interest, decided to wind up the session with their redition of It's All In The Game, which song choice drew shouts of derision from the drinkers. The Happy Tripper's landlord, Al Coepop stomped around the bar waving his hands at The Cranberrys, who ceased playing in a disorganised jumble of notes and chords. Leader of The Cranberrys Bob Bing, babbled that the band had never been treated so badly. Bob tried to calm Al down by saying that the next time The Cranberrys played The Tripper they would charge half fee. Judging by the glares from around the pub it would be sometime before the group would need to make good on that promise.
At that moment into the pub walked Ivor Shortley, the disgraced goalkeeper with Comley End. The dinkers bristled, and Ivor stopped uncertainly. Al and Bob ceased their arguing and stared at Ivor.
Ivor who was carrying a large cardboard box, walked to the bar, and puting the box down produced from it a bottle of vintage port. Everyone looked on as Ivor produced bottle after bottle of expensive wines and spirits from the box. Finaly Al could contain himself no longer, and asked Ivor what it was all about.
Ivor smiled and said " Say what you like you about me being a cheat, but I wont be called a cowerd. I have brought all of these along today to prove that I have a lot of bottle."
