'Ere, tart! Gissa kiss!' was amongst the tamest comments Ann had ever heard and she was prepared to give the customer a bit of her lip for the cheek of him, then probably sling him out when she was surprised to see James rising to her defense. She knew what was going to happen before it started but she couldn't leap over the bar like her younger days and so she was helpless in trying to stop it immediately.
"'ERE!!! Stop that now! JAMES SLATER!" she demanded, banging her fist on the bar. "None of that!"