He walked into the public bar of the Blind Man’s Return and looked around, looking no one in the face.

She saw him first but he spoke first.
Hallo, princess.

She fluttered a little when he spoke but not to show.
Hallo. It’s been a long time.

Too long, princess.

You used to say I was your princess.

And you was. You could still be, princess.

No, those days are past now. Now you just call me princess, just like everybody else. But I was your princess once. Remember that and never deny it.
She seemed to be holding back tears.

He nodded slowly, once, and then the man behind him felled him with a cosh.

Later, alone, she cried for when she had been his princess.