Buying The Virgin Part 1-3

In the bar, I serve tables, trying to dodge around the groping hands of louts who think that I am on the menu. I slapped one once, and it almost lost me my job. “Hey, Pete was just fooling around…” was the attitude of my boss, Ben.

Take orders, serve tables, clear tables, load dishwasher, clean tables…. it goes on and on…

I am cleaning stinking grease off a counter. Figures move close, to occupy a table. “I’ll just be a moment,” I say. “Nearly done here.” I pull out my pad and pencil. “What can I get you?”

“Two coffees, please.” says a familiar voice. I startle, looking up to see Michael and James.

“Mind if we sit here?” asks James.

“It’s a public place, and it’s not my bar….”

I am interrupted by Ben. “Hey, Jenny, table four needs serving too.”

“Yes, boss,” I say wearily.

Both men look shocked. “Jenny?” asks Michael.

Hands on hips, I stare at them. “’Jennifer’ is what it says on my passport. ‘Charlotte’ is a fantasy, remember? She always was.”

I turn on my heel, and ask Samantha to serve them instead, while I go deal with table four.

*****

Shift over, I return to the flat, collapsing onto my bed. I should read a textbook I’m working on, but I want to sleep.

Still fully clothed, I drop onto the blankets, and pull the duvet over myself, trying to ignore the smell of mushrooms that clothes everything in here. Barely have I closed my eyes, when there is a knock at the door.

For a moment, I simply stare at the ceiling. I know who is on the other side of the door. Perhaps if I ignore it, stay quiet, they will go away.

Michael’s voice: “Charlotte, Jenny, whatever you’re calling yourself; open up. We know you’re in there.”

I get up and open the door. “You followed me? What are you now? My stalkers?”

Michael looks angry, James upset. Both push past me into the miserable room.

“You’re living here?” demands James. “In an area like this?”

working in that dump of

and to

demands James. “What happened to the money you

to fund the next year or so. And I don’t know anything about any

to see you alright.” He

And if you sent money, I’ll damn well send it

silent. “Charlotte,” says James, holding out his hands. “I didn’t mean it like that. I just want to know that

my life! My choices! Now, Go to Hell! The pair of

to go. I want nothing more

please leave, both of you. I am going

out of the room. I pull the door shut on the latch and walk away. As I descend the urine-stinking staircase, I still hear

bag, purse and money in the flat. Even to buy a cup of coffee, I need to go back inside. But Michael and James

out on the dark street, wishing I had at least thought to bring a

do you charge? I’ve got

I can’t make out his features. “Sorry,” I mutter, turning

“Well, I can add another fifty to the pot, love. C’mon. Two of us together

sorry,” I reply. “But I’m not

pulling me towards him, his friend moving closer, crowding me in. “Well, maybe we’ll just have it for free then.” Close up, his breath is sour.

against the wall. I am struggling, fighting back. “Get off me!” One of them I might have had a chance with,

hand over her mouth.

round the back. No-one

Dragging me all the way, my arms pinned, I can do nothing as the two haul me into the

her.

James are here. “What the fuck d’you think

balance and my footing, I try

*****

“How do you

nowhere, a voice in my head, as I stare at a blank white

How do I feel?

a

touch my head, to find it bandaged. I try to sit up, but my stomach rebels,

still. You have concussion. The doctor will