The Old Neptune

6 O'clock in the morning

Usually by this time rotten oysters thrown from boats for little urchins had filled every blower in a mile with that musky stench unique Whitstable Bay. It had been rather hot too so that unforgettable salty brine should have been particularly pungent but it was nowhere to be found.

Kirk had visited the windowed wife of the local fishmarket owner in the town roughly a year ago. He had offered her his professional help but she had declined. Business could be tricky outside on the coast. Town folk didn't like city men around much and Kirks accent was a dead giveaway. On this occasion however he already had a contract so this wouldn't be a wasted trip.

"Boy!" Kirk called out.

Two children playing by a rock pool gave a quick glance back in response. The younger, a girl with matted blonde hair already thinning hairline and bruised cheek went back to poking crabs with a splintered piece of black wood probably from the tidal barriers. The older by smiled through rotting brown teeth protruding from bright red and black gums.

"Right lad, I'm looking for a Mr Richard Dickinson."

"Aye, uck." The boys voice wheezed

"Here try some of this, should help with that cough."

Pulling out a small yellow packet from his breasts pocket, Kirk stepped off the promenade onto the pebble beach. His left knee slightly buckled under his own weight and he had to reach up to stop his brown rabbit hair trilby from slideing off his smooth scalp.

He handed the youngster a pinch of a brown tar like substance from the little packet. Then taking a larger chunk and ripping it away from his thumb with his molars Kirk began to chew. The kid tried to copy but scowled and spat out the brown sluge as it hit his tongue.

"Hey, that will put hairs on your chest and years on you life lad!" Kirk howled as he patted the youngsters sandy brown locks.

"So where can I find Mr Dickinson?"

"Storms cuming this night say the sailors. Sspt" The boy couldn't get out the aftertaste of tobacco as he spoke no matter how hard he tried. "I reckon farthers stayed on the ill where he always is durin this weva."

"Farther?" Kirk nearly choked on the boys words. Or was it the gum hitting the back of his throat.