What can I do for you?

Flash fiction first try…

The door crashed shut as the large man stomped into the hall, his hair swept up from the high winds that howled outside.

“Where is your Father?” demanded the red faced and clearly irritated figure.

“He went out, the pub I think, he didn’t say. What can I do for you?” My reply was feeble but what could I do? I could hardly tell him that my Father was hiding in the loo not more than 8 feet away from him.

“Then I will wait for his return. Get me a drink girl and be quick about it, I’m parched.” With that he plonked his heavy frame down onto the leather armchair, it was all I could do not to giggle as the protesting leather squealed, putting me in mind of Billy Martin’s attempts to play a tune with his flatulence.

Thoughts of my Father still hiding out in the toilet and its almost arctic temperatures leapt into my head. He would be wondering right about now why this person was still here, why haven’t I gotten rid of him. Fortunately the toilet was out of view from the sitting room, enough at least for me to throw a blanket in there. Who knew how long the stranger was prepared to stay. 

“Where’s that drink girl?”  Hell’s bell’s he was a demanding old crotch of a man.

“On its way mister.” Not sure exactly what type of drink he was expecting but he got water.

“There you are. What did you want to see Dad about?”

“None of your business, miss. What kind of gin is this? It has no taste, it almost tastes like water.” Slamming the glass on the table the man shook his head. The colour, at least, had started to regulate in his skin. He looked less like a beetroot now and more like a very old peach.

“He could be out for the night, just saying in case you have places to be. Sometimes he doesn’t come home at all.” There, that should do it, I thought triumphantly as I folded my arms.

“Best get comfy then if it’s going to be a long wait. He usually leaves you alone for the night? How old are you girl?”

“None of your business.” I know it was rude of me but what’s good for the goose and all that. I imagine Dad would be seething in the loo, he didn’t like me using smart ass answers. Talking of which I really ought to try and pass him a cuppa of some sort, that’s if he hasn’t fallen asleep!

“Where are you going? I would rather you didn’t leave the house while I’m here. Come and sit with me girl.”

“I have to go to the bathroom if it’s all the same to you.” Turning the handle and expecting it to be locked I could feel the breeze from the outside winds pushing against the wooden door. He wouldn’t, would he? Oh that’s just fanfeckintastic! Window wide open and the Father not to be seen.

It seemed like forever sitting there in silence with the stranger. I’m sure he nodded off a few times but still I kept quiet until the sound of the phone leapt out from the kitchen. 

“I better get that.” Scrambling to my feet I almost tripped myself up in my hurry to speak to the outside world. 

“Hello. Yes, yes that’s right. No, no I don’t know. It could be a while. Okay, thanks. Yeah, bye.” Placing the phone back on the sideboard I was startled to find the stranger standing right behind me. 

“Was that him? Don’t lie to me girl, my patience is wearing thin.”

“No it wasn’t. If you must know it was my auntie calling to speak to Dad. You must have heard every word you were standing right there!” This stranger was starting to get on my nerves now, if it wasn’t for the fact he was a big menacing looking man I would have thrown him out a long time ago.

“Calm yourself down missy, I only need to speak to your Dad for a few minutes, it’s nothing sinister I can assure you. If you can contact him? I know he has problems financially, he’s well known at the bookies, where do you think I got the address.”

It was true, Dad owed people all over the place including some pretty nasty loan sharks. He didn’t owe hundreds of thousands that was true but he did owe and it had only been a matter of time before someone came knocking. Who’s to say this man wasn’t trying to get one over on me so I would tell him where to find Dad? Not that I knew where he had scarpered to.

“I don’t know where he is and I think you are wasting your time waiting here. If he saw you coming or if any of the neighbours have told him he has a visitor he won’t come home so I think you should go.” There, I told him, I must admit as I spoke I could feel my feet edging backwards to the kitchen door.

The stranger circled me then stopped at the back door, his hand pushing the handle down. Damn, it was locked, Dad must have the key on him.

“I think we should go sit back down where it’s more comfortable, don’t you?” He made his way back to the front room, a smirk twisting on his lips as he retook his seat.

I’ll pretend he isn’t here, I’ll put a dvd on the telly and blank him out, that’s what I’ll do.

It was quarter past one in the morning when I finally heard a key in the back door. Shooting me a glance the stranger put a finger to his lips so as to shush me and being so peed off with Dad I sat there quietly thinking you’re the grown up you can deal with this now. The sound of the light switch clicking on seemed to echo in the now silent room. 

The second Dad clapped eyes on the stranger he stopped dead in his tracks and I waited, the stranger was on his feet and they stood silently staring at each other for what seemed an age. I waited for fists to fly, swearing, loud voices or anything but they just stood there. It was Dad that moved first, stepping forward and I swear the tension nearly gave me heart failure! Still no words or fists.

“Oh my God! Oh my God, how long have you been here?” Turning to me he gasped. “Why didn’t you ring me?”

“You left your phone and I didnt know who it was, who is he? Why has he been here all night? I thought you’d done a bunk out the toilet window!” My voice was indignant now.

The stranger lunged toward Dad, his big arms wrapping around Dad’s skinny body and lifting him off the ground. What the hell was going on?

“Jeez Sparrow, it’s been a long time! You’re still as tiny as I remember you. Aren’t you going to introduce me to my niece?”

What! Niece? What the hell. Dad was beaming like a Cheshire cat. 

“Millie, meet your Uncle Jerry, Jerry this is my girl Millie. Oh my God Jerry, where have you been all these years? I thought you were dead for christ sake. 22 years man, 22 years and I couldnt find out anything and I looked, God knows I looked. Mam and Dad passed, Sorry I should have put that a bit more delicate like but they did and that’s a fact. Our Lindy went too, just last year. Where were you man?”

The newly named Uncle Jerry shook his head and hugged Dad again, a single tear rolled down his cheek. I’ve never seen a man that looks so tough cry before today and I can’t say I want to see it again. It’s too sad.

All rights reserved,©DMRoberts2024