Buying the Virgin

As Beth and I enjoy our High Tea, a couple of men roll in the door, clearly the worse for wear for drinking. We ignore them, but one suddenly points to me and Beth. “Hey, look at them. Must be sisters.”

Beth looks uncomfortable, turning away. The two don’t take the hint. “Hello, ladies. Mind if we join you?”

Leaning back from the boozy breath blowing my way, “Actually, we do mind. These seats are taken. We’re waiting for our husbands.”

Beth glances at me, questioning my white lie with a look. I widen my eyes at her. There are times we have to do these things.

The louts take no notice. “Pair of lookers like you. Shouldn’t be sitting by yourselves like this.” One of them starts to paw at Beth. She says nothing, but looks upset and pulls away.

Why doesn’t she tell him to leave her alone?

But she doesn’t. The lout starts stroking her arm. Shrinking from him, she stares at the floor. “Leave her alone,” I say, “her husband won’t like it.”

He ignores me, continuing to rub his fingers up and down the immaculate chiffon of Beth’s blouse.

“Leave her alone,” I hiss. “Get your grubby paws off her.”

“Who’s gonna make me? You?” he sneers. “Anyway, Tommy here fancies you.”

As he speaks, the yahoo next to me makes a bid for a feel, but I jab sideways, hard, with my elbow into his ribs. He grunts. “You little bitch…” he roars, and turns to make a grab at me.

At the same moment, the other one makes a lunge for Beth. I stand and, over the table, punch for his face. I catch him squarely and, with coffee pot, scones and cream scattering in all directions, uproar breaks out….

*****

Beth and I sit together in the cell, holding hands. Being in here is not pleasant, and we are sitting as far away as we can from two teenage girls who are semi-conscious on some form of drug, and another one who is high on something else.

There is the rattle of keys, and a guard unlocks the door.

“You and you,” he says, jabbing a finger at me and Beth, as he holds the door open.

Out in the office are Richard, my Master, and Ross.

please accompany my wife back to the car if you would. Take her straight home.” The look he gives

as we follow the enraged Haswell out of the building. But I

me up to his office, pointing me to stand in front of

that you can break all the conventional rules, Ms Conners, but when I am obliged to bail

“Sir, I….”

invite you to

hanging my head. “I am informed,” he continues, “that you assaulted a customer in the coffee room. The hospital reports

open. Beth is

you to go straight home.

you are holding Charlotte to blame for what

takes his orders

you have Charlotte standing

requiring an explanation of

politely, is that two thugs were trying to molest me, and

Master looks at

in the face. She landed him a punch that any professional would be proud of. It’s not her fault if the security

down,

looks stunned. Speaking slowly, he says, “It seems I

was frightened,” I say. “I could see that. She doesn’t know how to look after herself the

won’t take a hint. The last time I saw her do something like this, a man, six inches taller than she is, wouldn’t take ‘No’ for an answer.

completely. His eyes crinkle up in humour. “You mean, this has happened

I mutter, “I just believe in sticking

my Master. “And you paid for this

coils an arm around my waist, kissing the top

looks at his wife. “Elizabeth,

turns to leave, she looks

“You’re right of course. Elizabeth is a gentle soul. She needs protection.

breaks in.