terug
They drove her to distraction!
They drove her to distraction!
| What sort of time do you call this?’ |  | |
| ‘Er… 10.30. On the dot.’ | ||
| ‘I said quarter-past. You’re late!’ | ||
| Mandy slipped back into the driver’s seat | ||
| of her taxi and pulled away. | ||
| ‘Are you sure you said 10.15?’ | ||
| ‘Don’t talk so soft, girl.’ the elderly [id:20867] snapped. | ||
| ‘Ten-thirty’s no good for me! I’ll be behind with everything | ||
| now.’ | ||
| As she manoeuvred through the traffic Mandy got a | ||
| good ear-bashing as to how this senior citizen’s day | ||
| would now be a complete disaster, and all because of | ||
| her. | ||
| Mandy drifted to a halt beside the market square. | ||
| ‘There we are, love. I’m sorry that there was a [id:20868]. | ||
| I hope it doesn’t spoil your…’ | courtesy of a word would have been nice. A little human | |
| The door slammed. The woman was already walking | contact. Or was that [id:20872]? | |
| away, still chewing through her menu of complaints. | Mandy pulled up outside the bungalow. The man | |
| Mandy sighed and drove off. | folded his paper without looking at her and reached for | |
| Later she was at the school gates to pick up nine-year- | the door… | |
| old twins, Carl and Petra. They bounced into the back seat | ‘Just a minute!’ said Mandy. ‘That’ll be £2.70.’ | |
| still shouting at full volume. | The man turned back, puzzled. ‘What?’ | |
| ‘Get a move on!’ Petra yelled at Mandy. | ‘Look at the clock. It’s £2.70. And you can leave a tip if | |
| ‘Put your [id:20869]!’ exclaimed Carl, supporting his sister. | you feel like it. Shall we say £3?’ | |
| ‘Cool it,’ Mandy told them. ‘We’re not going anywhere | The man blinked. ‘But I don’t understand. You always | |
| until you put on your seat belts.’ | [id:20873]. You’ve never asked for money before. Have you | |
| ‘Don’t hang about,’ snapped Petra. | forgotten who I am?’ | |
| ‘You’re taking us to McDonald’s,’ barked Carl. | Mandy’s eyes flashed. | |
| ‘No, I’m not. I’m taking you home,’ said Mandy. | ‘I know who you are, Ken. But does anybody | |
| ‘But that’s stupid,’ argued Petra. ‘We’re going to | remember who I am?’ | |
| McDonald’s anyway as soon as we get home. So you | Ken closed the door again. ‘What’s wrong?’ | |
| might as well take us [id:20870].’ | ‘Today was supposed to be my day off, right? But I’ve | |
| ‘My only job is to drop you at home,’ said Mandy. | spent most of it [id:20874] people around, and precious | |
| ‘What happens to you after that is somebody else’s | little thanks I’ve got for it. I’ve transported my mother, | |
| responsibility, thank goodness.’ | who treated me worse than a servant, my sister’s kids, | |
| ‘God, you’re so daft,’ muttered Carl. | who treated me worse than a slave and now my husband | |
| ‘So slow to understand,’ echoed Petra. | who treats me worse than a chauffeur. Not one of you has | |
| Mandy eyed them in the rear-view mirror. ‘I may be | offered a word of appreciation.’ | |
| daft, but I [id:20871]. You might try it.’ | ‘Sorry, Mandy. I didn’t think.’ He went to kiss her | |
| Towards the end of a long, tiring day Mandy waited at | [id:20875] she held him off. | |
| the industrial estate. She saw the man approaching, right | ‘Obviously not. But I’ve been doing some thinking. My | |
| on time, regular as clockwork. | customers treat me with more consideration than my | |
| He climbed into the front seat, and gave her a weak | family - and what’s more, they [id:20876]! So if I have to | |
| smile of recognition. Then he pulled a newspaper from | charge a fare to get a little courtesy, then that’s what I’ll | |
| his pocket and buried his head in it. | do in future.’ | |
| There was no grumbling, no screaming, the peace was | Mandy’s hand turned into an open palm. ‘That’ll be | |
| lovely. But wasn’t it a bit too peaceful? The simple | £2.70, please.’ | |
| ‘Woman Summer Special’, 1997 |