“It’s thirty-two. Here’s my loyalty card. I hope I have enough points for a dinner for two.”
The friendly waitress scanned Clay’s card. She politely returned it to him.
“Yes. You have enough chillies for two mains and two sides. After today your points will be reset to zero. Is that alright?”
Clay was relieved. After his order, he returned to his assigned booth. Claire had only just arrived.
“Clay you had me so worried. I’ve been trying to contact you for hours, but your phone is switched off.”
“I had my psych exam today, remember? I turned it off during the interview.”
Claire was interested in how the interview went.
“So, did they assess your heart condition?” she joked.
“Yes, there’s a warrant out for whoever stole it,” Clay said in jest.
Clay and Claire had to elevate their voices slightly as there were many celebrations on at the same time around them.
“When I heard there was a bomb on platform nine, I panicked. I heard they ceased operations for most of the morning. I’m surprised you even made it to Kings Cross.”
“Well, it’s a good thing I took an early train.”
“The media thinks it was ISIS,” Claire added.
Clay slumped in the booth. He was aware of a negative energy that began to stir inside of him.
“Well, they say one man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter.”
Claire was put off by Clay’s remarks and it showed in her terse response.
“What do you mean by that?”
“Well, since 9/11, we’ve been demanding that these zealots go back to where they came from. And now that they’ve heeded the call, it’s not good enough, and we bomb them there. You’ve got to see things from their perspective as well as ours.”
Claire had strong opinions on terrorism and she wasn’t swayed. She was angry.
“Clay, they aren’t zealots. They are terrorists and they slaughter innocent people, including other Muslims. I don’t believe I’m hearing this from you. What about your Marine buddy—what’s his name? The guy they killed in a suicide attack in Iraq.”
Clay felt the tension in Claire’s tone, and instead of deescalating, he went on defense.
“You mean Hash Brown. He was killed by al-Qaida, not ISIS.”
Claire grew even angrier. “ISIS, al-Qaida, it’s the same thing!” she shouted over the crowd.
Clay caught himself. He was out of line for no apparent reason and apologized repeatedly to Claire.
“Baby, I don’t know what just came over me. I’m so sorry. It’s been a rough day. Do you forgive me?”
Clay’s smile eased her frustration somewhat but feelings of apprehension lingered before eventually fading.
“I forgive you. But I’m still mad at you, just a little bit.”
During the meal, Claire told Clay all about her day at work. Clay seemed present, but his eyes wandered throughout the restaurant.
After the pair finished their meal, a large, friendly waitress asked if she could clear the table. Clay stood to help stack the plates.
The woman immediately blushed and put her hand over her mouth. “Oh, dear.”
“What’s wrong?”
Claire’s eyes widened. “Clay, sit down please, right now?”
The waitress quickly collected the plates and hurried off.
“Clay, what is wrong with you?” Claire whispered to Clay.
Clay was completely unaware. “What do you mean, babe?”
She pointed towards Clay’s trousers.
“Oh, shoot. Is it that noticeable?” Clay asked, embarrassed.
Claire gave a big nod. “Clay, I love the fact that you are so turned on by me, but you need to put it away before we get arrested.” She laughed.
Clay’s embarrassment was short-lived. Claire was right; he was extremely turned on by her. But there were others that he lusted for nearby. There were the twin girls celebrating their eighteenth birthday, the mature blonde celebrating her fortieth wedding anniversary with her husband, and the plus-sized waitress that had served them.
Operator: “999, what is your emergency?”
Claire: “I need an ambulance right away, please. I’m at 132 Butterfield Close in Stukeley Meadows. It’s my boyfriend!”
Operator: “I need you to calm down, ma’am. What is the nature of the emergency?”
Claire: “He’s not breathing. He’s turning gray. Somebody help him, please!”
Operator: “Ma’am, do you know CPR?”
Claire: “No, I don’t know CPR! Just get someone here quick before, before…”
Operator: “Ma’am, we don’t have an ambulance that can respond quickly enough. What part of the house is he?”
Claire: “Why does that matter? We’re in the kitchen. I don’t believe this! He doesn’t have much time!”
BOOM, BOOM, BOOM!
Claire: “Oh my God, there is someone at the door trying to get in! Can you hear that? What do I do?”
BOOM, BOOM, BOOM!
Operator: Let her in. She’s an off-duty paramedic and she lives across from you. Her name is Liz Sinclair.