The Pub of Broken Dreams

“What a lovely day it is,” remarked Brain.

It truly was a bright, clear afternoon with soft, bulbous clouds drifting across an otherwise cloudless sky.

“We should go out for lunch!” Heart chimed in. “It’ll be so nice! We haven’t been out in ages.”

Mind and Brain exchanged a look. They both remembered the chaos after Heart’s last little outing.

“I suppose we can,” said Mind, with a teasing lilt. “Come on then.” And off they went to Blueberry Muffin Teahouse for afternoon tea.

“I hear their velvet cake is simply di-vineee,” Heart sang, twirling with excitement. Mind and Brain just rolled their eyes as they nodded, used to Heart’s flair for the dramatic.

“Hmm,” Brain mimicked dryly, “simply di-vineee’. Must you always be so... so extra?”

Heart just skipped ahead, either choosing not to reply or as was its way not really listening.

A while later, full from their meal, the trio wandered into the park across the dusking street, letting the setting sun warm their backs.

Just then, Mind froze.

“Wait, did you see that? I could’ve sworn I just saw Anger and Regret.”

Heart tilted its head.

''You must be mistaken. I know we drifted apart, but surely they would have stopped to say hello...”

“I’m not mistaken,” Mind insisted. “It was them.”

“Mind may sometimes see what's not there, but i believe it did see something” Brain added looking in the same direction as Mind, ignoring the frown thrown at it.

Heart hides a smile and continues, “If it was them...why would they avoid us? They’re our friends. They wouldn’t avoid us... right?” Heart asked uncertainly.

“Well,” Brain said, already scanning the path, “I saw them heading down that side street.”

“Let’s call them!” Heart suggested standing on tiptoe to look around.

“No,” said Brain. “Just stop and listen. Let’s go see. There must be a reason they are hiding.”

And so the trio set off. They followed, slipping between alleys and shadowed corners. The streets grew narrower.

Buildings leaned in. The town no longer felt welcoming.

“I don’t like this place,” Heart murmured. “It is scary...”

Brain and Mind silently agreed.

“I think we should go back,” Mind said.

“Why?” Brain countered. “We came to find out why these two are acting strangely, we are close, so…let's find out!.”

Just then, Brain caught a flash of Anger’s red coat vanishing around a corner.

“Maybe they’re in trouble,” Heart said, hesitating. “If that’s true… we should help.”

“Weren’t you scared, just now…” Mind snapped.

Heart shrugged.

As they rounded the alley’s bend, Anger suddenly stepped out, blazing, Regret hung back, looking subdued.

“Why are you following us? Isn’t it enough that we ignored you?”

“But...” Heart began.

“But nothing,” Anger snapped. “Always poking around where you shouldn’t.”

"What ever is the matter, why are you here..." Heart trailed as just then, a voice cut in from behind.

“They can go wherever they like. They don’t owe you an explanation,” the voice dull and yet enticing.

It was the Pub landlord, who had stepped outside, drawn by the commotion. He had his name badge on. Sorrow it read.

He added, “Come on, come on...: clapping Anger and Regret on the back, "the first pint’s on me. You’re always welcome here.” 

He ushered them in through swinging doors beneath a weathered sign:

'The Pub of Broken Dreams'

The trio stood there, stunned.

Heart looked crushed.

“This isn’t a place we can follow,” Brain said gently, glancing toward Heart.

With a firm but quiet grip, Brain took each of their hands, leading them gently away.

They turned and walked back the way they came.

And then, just as they reached Nexus Square, Heart suddenly stopped, its eyes lit up.

“I know, I know how we can help! I know who they’ll listen to!” it said excitedly

Brain and Mind turned.

Heart was already dialing.

“Hello? Hope?”

 As always, thanks for reading.

Let's journey together word by word.

© Tolu Akindolire