Claude wasn’t a alcoholic, but he did frequently attend one of the towns bars, usually the one closer to home, on a Friday night after the days work was done. A drink or two always made going home and handing over his wages just that little bit easier. Perhaps he should think about saving like Simon had been... not in the same manner, but the thought of getting away from the little town and the responsibilities of his family had been growing in his mind for the past couple of years. Not that he could ever leave his siblings like that.

So instead he hid himself towards the back of the bar and slowly slipped on a beer, letting the minutes tick by.

Ben did not drink at all. And he had taught his children not to drink either, although he doubted Tom and Simon had always obeyed - he knew Simon had not. Still Ben liked going to the pub when his leg was not too bad, to catch up with the local news and see friends. He did not go to this pub normally, but he had been to see Maggie and decided to stop at the nearest pub.

When he spotted Claude in the corner, he took his tea and approached. "Claude. It's been a long time, son." There had been a time Claude was over all the time, for he had been close friends with Simon. But Ben had hardly seen him since Simon's arrest. Not waiting for an invitation, Ben sat down. "How've you been, lad?"

[CW: past child abuse]

Claude hadn’t been paying attention, the wood grain of the table had been the holder of his attention until his name was called from a man he would rather not have anything to do with. He looked up as the man made himself comfortable at his table. Mr Ward had always been nice enough to Claude himself, but he had heard the stories from Simon, seen the marks. Claude often wondered what the man would do if Simon was still alive and the news of his friends actions had gotten to his father.

Either way, it made Claude rather uncomfortable. He sat up a bit straighter and started wondering how big a sip he could take without seeming rude to be able to leave faster.

“Work’ng” he replied before taking a drink.

Ben nodded, unaware of the young man's discomfort. "Good. Good. And how's your family, son?" Ben knew there were a lot of problems in Claude's family, but it was still the polite thing to ask.

"They are fine, sir" he responded lightly not seeing how it was any of the man's business past that statement.

Ben nodded and blew over his tea. "It was kind of you to help pur Rose, t' other day."

"I doubt'd she needed it Sir... quite a capable lady she is" he responded politely.

"Aye, she's strong and smart, she is. And kind too." His eyes rested on Claude. "She's turned out a fine young lady..."

"Yes sir" he responded before taking another drink, suddenly feeling like he had said the wrong thing.

"She's really a sweet lass..." he said, looking back at his tea. "But the world's been a harsh place for her. And I'm afraid it will be harsher still when I'm gone. It would be a jolly good thing for her to have some stability and security..."