It was early evening and Len sat in the club quietly enjoying his pint. He'd been a member since shortly after Rose had passed away a couple of years earlier and he found he needed company other than his own. It wasn't particularly regal but it was warm, the beer was a good price, and the majority of members were of a similar age to his own.
'Penny for 'em.' said Albert as he plonked himself down at the same table.
'Oh, hello Bert,' said Len, 'no I was just what-if-ing, you know?'
'Like, what if Arsenal had won the league instead of Man U?'
Len laughed. 'No, nothing as far fetched as that. I was just wondering what I'd be doing now if Rose was still here.'
'Ah,' said Bert, 'that sort of what-if-ing.'
They'd got friendly at the club a few months before although they'd both been members for a similar time. At 73 he was a year older than Len and, because they shared similar interests, he provided a lot of the friendship and company Len needed.
'It's dangerous to do too much of that you know, I used to a lot after Betty died. I was getting quite depressed then someone suggested joining here. It helped a lot but I still miss her though.'
They chatted easily about their past lives and loves until a burst of cheering from round the corner in the main part of the bar distracted them. They got up to see what had caused it and saw that someone had put a soft-core video in the machine which sometimes happened when there were no women present.
They watched it for a couple of minutes before returning to their beers.
'Dunno what they get so excited about with that stuff,' said Albert, 'I've got much better ones than that at home. Wouldn't bring 'em in here though. Give half this lot a heart attack or apoplexy!'
Len laughed. 'I know what you mean. I've got some as well that Rose and I used to enjoy.'
'Really? Betty never really got into them but I look at them now and again whenever I feel the need.'
Len nodded and the conversation veered off in another direction. After a little while though, Albert leaned towards him conspiratorially and asked in a low voice if there was anything particular type of film he preferred. Len looked at him and asked him what had prompted the question.
'Well, to be frank with you, I've got quite a few now and if there was anything in the sort of line that you might like you'd be welcome to borrow them.' He paused then went on quickly. 'But that's only if you'd like to of course, I wouldn't want to offend you if you thought I was being too forward.'
'No offence,' said Len, 'and I must admit that after you've seen the same film three or four times it does tend to loose its' thrill.' He went on. 'I suppose the ones that do it for me are older people, the more mature the better, and they must be homemade or amateur. I can't stand professional models who are quite obviously acting. All that "Oohh-ing" and "Aahh-ing" when you know full well it's not real.'
'That's the sort I go for and I've got a few you'd be welcome to borrow sometime if you want.'
'OK,' said Albert, 'that'd be nice, I always like to see new ones.'
They chatted on for a while and enjoyed another beer then Albert said 'Look, if you wanted to pop round now on the way home and get a couple you'd be most welcome.'
They'd long ago discovered they lived three streets apart, Albert in his terraced house and Len in a secure apartment in a newly built retirement home. He'd found living on his own in his old house too stressful and depressing after Rose died.
They set off and ten minutes later Albert ushered Len into his lounge.
'Fancy another beer?' I've got some cans in the fridge.'
'That'd be nice.' said Len as he sat on the settee.
The beers appeared then Albert went to a cupboard and brought out about thirty dvds.
'Wow,' said Len, 'you have got a quite a collection haven't you.'
He started looking through them and saw that many were blank with handwriting on them. He assumed they were copies from others and asked Albert where he had got them.
'Actually, they're what I've downloaded from the internet and recorded myself. My grandson showed me how to download films β not this kind of course β but I just applied the same process to some of the other sites I look at.'