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 |