The betting shop had become more and more foggy with punters smoke as the afternoon wore on.He gazed around for inspiration, none came.The clerk was looking decidedly bored and gazed at the clock impatiently. Old Ernie sat in his usual spot with the soggy end of his roll-up hanging disconsolately from his bottom lip. 'Had any luck Tim' he asked. 'Yeah loads' answered Tim 'All bad'. 'Me too' replied Ernie. 'Ive spent the last of this weeks allowance from the wife and not had a snifter. Ive tried horses,dogs,the lotto and the local hospital draw. I dont know whats wrong with us, everyone else seems to get a look in. Tim shrugged 'How about going one last go on the last race together. I rather fancy Royal Robbo as an eachway, he not got bad form.We could have a fiver each, he's 10 to 1.Whatja say Ern? Ernie looked at his watch.'Well I should be getting home Ive been here over 3 hours,the wife will think Ive run off with Lil' Lil, another regular looked up from her newspaper and laughed.'You had your chance years ago Ern' she said,'and we are both still here''He was hoping to win a few bob and take you away in style' said Tim. 'That will be the day with my luck' grumbled Ernie.
Lil said 'I'll join you in the last one, a fiver each you say. Go on I might just bring you luck. I rather fancy Royal Robbo myself. 'OK then' said Tim ' but we'd better hurry up there off in a couple of minutes'.
The clerk took the betting slip without looking up.'The odds have shortened to 8 to 1 so it looks as if someone else fancies it too' said Tim. They all sat and gazed in anticipation at the screen above the bored clerk. Royal Robbo was looking good,first out of the stalls and leading from the start. Ernie puffed away on the soggy roll-up in exitement. Lil clutched her screwed up newspaper and breathed heavily while Tim who knew this was his last chance held on to the counter with white knuckles. Royal Robbo was going great guns, the winning post was in sight with not a another horse within 10 yards when all of a sudden a large silver Donald Duck balloon floated across the track a couple of feet in front of him.A small child was howling loudly.'Get me duck Dad'. Royal Robbo saw the balloon and just pulled up with a start. The jockey went over the horses ears and the rest of the field galloped by. 'Foiled by a ruddy duck' said Tim. 'I thought our luck was in for a change. Mind you, it might be an omen, theres a greyhound running tomorrow at Catford called Ducky Silver. How about it Ern? see you both tomorrow when Ive cashed me giro, OK. | 
