Fire with fire

She smiled, checked for money and stepped into a cafe  called “BSD” for coffee and a packet of cigarettes to go. There was a sign on the door that she decided to read more thoroughly on the way out.

As she walked into the room, the man behind the counter quickly walked off with an urgent look on his fat, pasty face. Perhaps this was the only thirty seconds he had to go and enjoy himself in the back room? She stood for a moment and looked around.

Lots of men. No women. How odd.

The men regarded her with looks of resentment bordering on hatred. She wondered if it was her breath? She exhaled against the palm of her hand and sniffed. There was a smell of contraceptive jelly. She made a mental note to go and buy some mouthwash.

Still no service. Surely he’d finished by now?

‘Fuck this,’ she said under her breath. Grabbing a glass, she turned it upside down and banged it on the counter. ‘OY! Can I get some service please?!’

‘The lady wants some service!’ one of the men sneered. His friends laughed.

The fat man rushed out and snatched the glass from her hand. He looked a little more alert, more perky. There was a slight flush to his cheeks, which meant he had either enjoyed himself in the 70 seconds he’d been out there, or he was annoyed. Maybe both.

‘Have fun out there?’ she asked. ‘You weren’t very long; premature ejaculation can be cured you know.’

‘Get out.’

‘Coffee please. Oh, and a packet of cigarettes too.’

‘There are rules about women being out in the daytime.’

“I must have missed that meeting,” She smiled, then added, ‘Do I know you?’

‘You have to leave.’ he insisted.

Her eyes widened. ‘Oh no…Colin?’

He took a step backwards, shock and fear on his face. His arrogance rallied briefly. ‘My name is Colonel Panix! I don’t know any Colin. Never heard of him. And I’ve never met you!’

‘Fair enough, Colin,’ said Daisy with a conspiratorial grin. She winked then continued, ‘Your secret is safe with me.’

‘Get out!’ he yelled.

‘Hey, no-need to get all nasty,’ she said and stepped backwards. She collided with one of the other customers who was standing right behind her.

He spun her around and pushed her back so she bumped into the bench.

She was well and truly surrounded.