Late Finish

Late Finish

Her shift had finally finished, it had been a long day and an even longer night. And now with her feet aching her back hurting she had missed the last night bus home.

“Typical” she said to no one as she kicked an empty can into the road “If that twat had just let me go on time.”

She glanced at her watch, half four, she’d be lucky to get a taxi now as well. Pulling out her mobile, she sighed , it was dead, dead as dodo,

“Argh, Bloody phone, what’s the point.” She dropped the useless mobile back into her bag. There was nothing else for it she would have to start walking.

Pulling her thin jacket around her she set off into cool night air. The streets deserted she hummed in her head to distract herself from the cold, the loneliness and the hot pot on her foot which she was sure would soon be a blister.

Trudging along she became aware that she might not be alone, she wanted to look behind her. She told herself not to be silly, that no one was there, just fear, her fear. But walking on she felt sure she could hear footsteps, maybe even feel his breath on her neck. She shuddered and berated herself for her own stupidity and over active imagination. Rounding the corner she risked a glance over her shoulder, she couldn’t see anyone, but course that didn’t mean there wasn’t someone lurking in the shadows.

Whoosh a car sped past, through a dirty puddle as it did, now she was soaked as well.

“Idiot” she shrieked, not that it helped her feel any better. She carried on cold, wet, tired, miserable and a little scarred, could her night get any worse? She asked herself.

Bang, a bright flash lit up the night sky, as all the streetlights went out and the heavens opened. She could only guess that the crash and flash had been lightening striking the local substation, hence the lack of lights now. She quickened her pace, but it was pointless in this relentless rain, puddles forming fast, dirty water dripping off the buildings around her. She was soaking in seconds, she needed to get home and soon.

There were no buses, the taxi office was closed, or at least in total darkness. There was nothing else for it, she would have to do something she had not done in a long time, she would need to hitch a lift. She knew she shouldn’t, could hear her mother’s warnings in her head, words of wisdom, she should listen.

Quickening her pace she headed for the main road, stumbling on rubbish as she did.

Moaw, a cat leapt out of the shadows making her jump as it did.

“Bloody cats,” she didn’t mean it of course and as she said it she thought of her own dear cat, pudding, safely snuggled up at home waiting for her. His warm fur, ready to brush against her legs. His welcoming purr as he wrapped around her, pretending he was pleased to see her, when really he was just pleased she was here to feed him.

Reaching the main road she was pleased to see some car headlights, the bright lights a very welcome sight. She walked a little way, trying to pluck up the courage to hitch a lift, she was happier now, there were more people around, though looking at them she was not sure she was any safer. Pulling her jacket around her, smoothing her skirt down, she turned to look back along the road at the approaching traffic.

“Ouch, what the..” she screamed as her hair was pulled from behind, images dashed through her mind was she about to be attacked, dragged into  an alley and raped or murdered.

“Piss off bitch, this is my patch” came the rasping female voice from behind her, as her hair was released. She turned and a group of women had appeared from a shop doorway, she relised quickly that they were working girls, ladies of the night as her mother had called them.

Opening her mouth to speak, nothing came out, she gulped and tried again “Sorry, I finished work late, I was just going to thumb a lift, I’m not trying to move in on your patch, I’m not a “ she paused, what was the right word. “I’m a croupier, I work in the casino on Gallows street.”

The woman backed off muttering to the relative safety of the doorway, all but one.

“Sorry, it's been a slow night, you shouldn’t be down here on your own at this time of night it's not safe.” she smiled, her face looked fragile, child like even, how old was she? “If you walk up to the end of the road you should have more luck.”

“Thank you” quickly she scurried off towards away from the girls, cautiously peering into alleys and doorways she saw other girls huddled, tramps sleeping at their feet. Glancing down a side road she saw cars parked up, their dim internal lights lit, windows steamed up.

She had never noticed this aspect of the city, and suddenly she wanted to be home, home in the country with her family. The bright lights that had once enthralled her, were dirty now, cheap, tarnished somehow. The colourful paintwork, chipped and faded. Like that young woman's face, tired distant. That's when she made the decision, she was going to go home, back to the country, back to working in the local brewery.

A dim glow of an emergency exit light  lit a shop window, she caught sight of herself, and what a sorry sight she was. Soaked through to her underwear, wet clothes clinging to her skin, make up smudged and smeared, her hair ragged out after her altercation with the ladies of Horselydown Lane. She stood unable to take her eyes of the sorry image, a shiver ran down her spine.

She was so lost in her own thoughts, that she didn’t hear the car slowing behind her, the squeal of the wet brakes. It was only her shadow on the pavement that made her realise the car was behind her. Turning she was dazzled by the bright headlights in the darkness of the unlight road, she squinted was that a man getting out, no two men.

They were coming towards her, this was it, she felt her stomach tighten. Could she run? What in these heels. No she had no option, but to stand her ground. The two men were getting closer, situated by the lights.

“Are you okay?” one of the men said.

“What are you doing out here alone?” the other followed up with. Fear gripped her, rain running down her face obscuring her vision.

“Do you want to come and sit in the car?” said the first man, she hesitated, they were going to kidnap her drive her away. She took a step back, was against the shop window, she had no escape.

A crackle interrupted her thoughts, what was that. Of course it was a radio, she watched as one man lifted his hand to his shoulder, the other was at her side now, she could see better now, they were police officers, she was safe. Relief flooded through her has she stumbled into his outstretched arms. His colleague wrapped a blanket around her. She allowed the two men to lead her to the safety and warmth of their car.

*

It was the following afternoon waking up in her warm bed, pudding nibbling at her ear, that she switched on the television.

That street looked familiar, it was Horsleydown Lane, a young woman found dead this morning. A cold feeling ran through her, as she picked up the phone and dialed her mother’s number.

“Hi Mum, I’m thinking of moving back home” she sighed “If that’s okay”

Teen Love

Teen Love

Shiny Mirror Mirror up on the wall

So hung there high upon a rusty nail

I ask who is the fairest of them all

It surely can't be me so fair and pale

With my curly straw-like locks so burned gold

With my waistband bulging with rolling fat

I'm sure I look a frump or so I'm told

Look more like a drowned rat than sexy cat

And So I ask then why, oh why does he

Look at me with those fiery piercing eyes

He holds me tight and whispers he loves me

And that was maybe the biggest surprise

And hopefully so one day we shall wed

Before falling on the marital bed

Magic Nails

Sat bored on the bus, Sarah hated buses, couldn't wait to get a driving licence, only another 2 years. She scrolled through Facebook on her phone, thumbs moving at remarkable speed as she typed response, shared posts and tagged friends in funny photos.

Not really reading as she was so bored she actually scrolled past them, but something made her scroll back up and was so glad she did. From the screen it they called to her like a torch on a dark night. They were amazing, no more than amazing, they were sick. She needed them, had to have them. No one else at school would have them. They were, there were no words.

Quickly she saved the post, knowing the annoyance when Facebook resets, and you lose what you were looking, then for good measure, she screenshot and downloaded the photo.

Glancing up she realised her friend was getting on the bus, typically she would have shown her the new find, but something stopped her, something made this her little secret, she would get those nails.

All day at school she found herself dreaming of those nails, the dress she would wear with them, not that anyone would be looking at her dress, how could they. Curt would notice her once she had those nails.

Curt, she loved Curt, from that first day she had seen him playing rugby. Of course, she had barely spoken to him, other than to say hello shyly as she walked past, though she doubted he had ever heard her.

Curt, the captain of the school rugby team, played for the local county team too and was hoping to play for Great Britain one day, she knew all about him, had spent hours online looking at his Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, as well as local newspaper reports. He was amazing, fit body, sporty and apparently one report said loved kittens spending his evenings when not training volunteering at the local cats home. One day he would ask her out, but first, he had to notice her. That's where the nails came into play with those nails how could he not notice her.

*

Home that night she flipped open that laptop, clicking on saved item she found the nail advert again. Of course, she was supposed to be doing her homework, but that could wait, this as more important. Her eyes darted across the screen, they were from Thailand, unique new material, durable, fade resistant, only available from here. But then the cost, how much? No that had to be a mistake.

“$150,” she said out loud to no one but her childhood teddies, who sat looking down dusty and disapproving. She would do anything for those nails, anything at all. Oh, she had the money, her aunt had died left her a little, but it was supposed to be savings for college. She closed the laptop, removing the temptation. Swivelling on her chair, she flicked on her TV, there he was Curt on the news, picked for an international Rugby team tour, of course, the item was not about Curt, but the team, but she didn’t see the other players, just Curt.

*

School next day was unbearable double science, and she had to sit next to Libby. Libby was one of those, how would you describe her? Popular girls that's what her mother would describe her as, surrounded by adoring friends, all desperate to soak in her limelight. Boys smiled embarrassed as she glanced at them, all way beneath Libby, she had a boyfriend, he wasn’t stuck in school like these morons. Oh no Libby’s boyfriend went to College, and he had a job in a clothes shop in town. He Was gorgeous, drove a fantastic car and used to pick her up from school in it. People said they used to park up on the seafront and do stuff in his car, she doubted it though Libby is such a liar, she always was, we went to primary school together, and she was the same then. Perfect hair, perfect teeth, expensive clothes. They’d been friends once, but that was a long time ago.

*

After school sat alone in her room, opening her laptop, she was greeted by the nails, there again. She had almost forgotten them, but seeing them now, she knew she had to have them. Just as she was adding to basket, a pop-up appeared. She was about to close it but then realised what it said. Reading it out loud “Congratulations, you are Mr Timms most lucky 888 buyer, that is my lucky number, and so I am pleased to send you the most glorious nails for free.” She squealed with delight, pleased she had waited till tonight to purchase them. It was fate, meant to be. Quickly she typed in the remaining details and pressed send. Sitting back she looked at the screen, order accepted.

*

The days ticked by, and she forgot her order, half expecting it not to arrive.

But then when she came in from school a package there upon the floor. She picked up and read the label, it was addressed to her. Carefully she slipped her finger into the small box opening it she peeked inside. The contents seemed to glow in response to her gaze. Taking a deep breath, excitement filling her she pulled out the ornate box, glimpsing those nails that had captured her heart. She couldn’t wait opening the box she quickly read the slightly dodgy bad English instructions, but it didn’t matter the pictures showed her what was to be done.

An hour later the deed was done, her new nails looked amazing, and felt well like nothing she had ever worn before. They were lighter somehow, the colours seeming to change almost magically to blend with what she was wearing.

Click! Quick snap photo for snap chat, twitter and facebook. She couldn’t wait to get to school the next day and show the other girls.

That night she slept like a baby, content in the knowledge that tomorrow she would be someone, people would notice her, people would want to be around her.

*

Waking up the following up the following morning, she stretched scratching her face as she did, drawing a small line of blood from her check. “Ouch” she cried out not realising at first that she had inflicted this pain upon herself. She sat in front of the mirror looking at the damage, nothing a little foundation wouldn’t fix. Hurrying for the first time in a long time she made herself ready for school. 6 pairs of tights latter, fabulous nails and tights don’t go together, she pulled on her trousers resolving to work out how to wear tights with nails later.

On reaching the bus stop she tried to open her school bag to get out her purse but couldn’t, her nails catching, she terrified of breaking them. So she decided to walk.

Luckily school was not far, and as she had been rushing today, she was running early. That was until she tried to press the button to cross the road at the zebra crossing, once again her nails prevented her from doing so. And so she decided to go the slightly longer way to school, via the footbridge, she was sure she had time.

Climbing the bridge she began to feel a little warm and dare she say it as ladies don’t sweat, she was decidedly damp under the arms. Oh, this would never do, she was supposed to look beautiful like her nails.

She stopped in the shade of a tree to get her breath, splat, glancing at her shoulder she watched as a long dribble of bird poo-streaked from her hair to her blazer. “Oh no, this day can’t get any worse. Shoving her hand forcefully into her pocket as she could, she managed to pull out a tissue to dab her hair. She felt tears pricking at her eyes. She knew she looked a mess and now she was in danger of being late for school as well. She just hoped her nails would dazzle everyone, and they wouldn’t notice what a mess she looked. She hurried on, trying desperately to sort out her hair as she went, her nails growing more and more tangled as she did,

By the time she arrived at school, late, her right hand was stuck in the tangled mess that was her hair, bits of tissue sticking out like feathers from the nest. Pressing the buzzer with her free hand, she felt her cheeks flushing. The small granary screen buzzed into action.

“Hello” boomed the disinterested voice from beyond.

“Sarah Jones, Year 10” she whispered

“Who?”

“Sarah Jones, Year 10,” she said loader

“Oh my dear god what has happened to you,” said the receptionist at the same time as she pressed the buzzer, by the time Sarah had heaved open the heavy door with her left hand, the receptionist was on the desk and waiting for her. Before she could speak a word, a blanket was around her shoulders and a chair below her bottom. Others soon rushed to her aid, to her horror this all seemed to happen in slow motion as the bell rang, all around the school doors flew up, corridors filled with a noisy throng of children all pushing and shoving as the made their way to their next class. First, it was whispers, but soon the voices were more audible, she glanced up her cheeks burning as she saw first Libby then Curt, stood gawping at her along with nearly everyone else from her class. She wasn’t sure who laughed first, but she was sure it was Curt, he had his arm round Libby’s shoulders this was awful. Hot tears fell down her cheeks, she had wanted so much to be noticed, but now all she wanted was for the floor to open up and swallow her. She wished she had never laid eyes on those stupid nails.