“No — not there.”

“To Carson's, then?”

There was a silence. The other girl hung on. The man was the centre of positive force.

“Will your friend come as well?”

There was another moment of silence, while the other girl felt her ground.

“No, thanks,” she said. “I've promised to meet a friend.”

“Another time, then?” he said.

“Oh, thanks,” she replied, very awkward.

“Good night,” he said.

“See you later,” said his girl to her friend.