A Publican’s Journey Through Memory and Loss

“The Publican – Part Two” is an excerpt from “Deserter Stories,” the final book in the “Deserter Quartet,” offering a poignant narrative of protagonist Gavin Pellegrino's pub crawl across South London. Framed as an homage to John Cheever’s “The Swimmer,” the story sees Gavin embark on a physical journey through various establishments that simultaneously delves into his fragmented memories and past.

His trek begins after leaving the Hermits, leading him to the East Dulwich Tavern where he has an awkward encounter with Electra (Ellie Ribeiro), a woman he previously “dumped” at The Blythe. This exchange highlights the deep personal history and emotional weight that pubs hold for individuals. Reflecting on these buildings as being “imbued with all of life,” Gavin continues to The Blythe Hill Tavern, a place he values for its community spirit and where he shares a moment of camaraderie with manager Pat. However, Pat’s comments about Gavin’s infrequent visits and the broader struggles of pubs subtly hint at a disconnect in Gavin's perception of time and reality.

As a storm gathers, Gavin visits The Ivy House, reflecting on life's simple pleasures and briefly meeting Sandie, a former employee. His journey takes a darker turn at Skehans, where he is unexpectedly refused service due to an unspecified past “incident,” further disorienting him and suggesting a more troubled personal history. Finally, battling torrential rain and a growing sense of unease, Gavin arrives at his own pub, The Cats. He discovers it dark, chained, padlocked, and bearing a “repossession” notice, revealing the devastating truth: his pub is gone. The story masterfully blends nostalgic pub culture with a poignant exploration of memory, loss, and the harsh realities faced by publicans.

(Source: https://londonist.com/london/books-and-poetry/deserter-stories-the-publican-part-one-0)