Was it only Wednesday? I was looking at the racing page, the 12.20 at Springfield, Hard Days Night at 500 to 1, I thought just imagine that coming in.
I looked in the sideboard draw, yes it was there, a ÂŁ50 note. I knew Daniel had left me that to pay the milk bill, could I bluff my way out of that for another week, I had bluffed most of the debt collectors why not again? I grabbed the note, put my coat on and went off to the bookies.
Half an hour later I was back home I had the slip in one hand and a coffee in the other, this win would sort all my problems out, as I took a sip I wondered just how many times I had thought that in the year I had been married.
I poured another cup and planned my day. First, lets think who was due today, itâs Wednesday the 13th, thatâs right Daniel was due back on the 15th thatâs Friday, so second Wednesday, middle of the month, so itâs that nice Mr Ferguson from the Furniture Warehouse, we ordered a lot there when we set up home almost all our furniture, tele, video, washer, spin drier, and the fridge, ooppps almost forgot, there was the computer as well, how could I forget that, without itâs contents Danielâs job would be imposable.
He will have a cup of coffee, Iâll give him some excuse, tell him how sorry I am then take a letter from his firm to give to Daniel threatening court action. If my husband ever found out how much we still owed after all the money he has given me to pay for our luxuries, but lets be honest, Iâm just having a poor run on the horseâs and I was sure if I bought lots of lottery lines I would win more then that pathetic amount I did, still thereâs always tonight, could be a roll-over and Iâm sure to win with 200 lines and then Iâll pay them all off and have money to burn.
I was just thinking how nice it would be for Daniel not to have to work so hard, after all he is twice my age, I laughed at the thought of him having a bit more stamina in the bedroom department, maybe enough to break the bed and then we could buy a nice big sexy four poster. I was lost in the thoughts of Daniel having some kinky ideas when there was a knock at the door.
I looked through the curtains, nothing, a voice shouted, âCompetition delivery for Mrs P Brownâ. A prize, Iâd won a prize and rushed at the door and swung it open.
âHello, Iâm Mrs Pauline Brownâ.
A tall thick set man pushed in to the door way, âGood Morning Mrs Pauline Brown is Mr Daniel Brown inâ?
I was a bit taken a back, âNo heâs away but you said a competition delivery for meâ.
He smiled and raised the clipboard he had in his hand, âI said compensation delivery, let me explain, Iâm from the Furniture Warehouse may I come inâ?
I had no choice but to make way for him to come in I thought shit whereâs the nice old man, but I thought quickly and asked, âMr Ferguson ill, such a nice manâ.
âNo Iâm Mr Barber, Mr Ferguson is no longer with the firm, seems he was a little lax in his job, Iâm here to get results, with that in mind I think we should sit downâ.
I sat opposite, I could tell my short skirt meet with his approval and hopefully my tight jumper would keep his mind off any problems I may have and besides I always wear clothes that show off my body, Iâm proud of it, I did win some beauty pageants some years ago.
He finished eyeing me up and down and raised his clipboard, âYou owe my firm ÂŁ4,876. 44 and we need paymentâ, I started to splutter but he carried on, âYou have had enumerable reminders of which you have ignored, have you the moneyâ?
I tried to remain calm, âMy I didnât realize it was that much but still my husband has the money, he was going to leave a cheque but forgot, he will be back on Friday and we can come down to the warehouse and sort this little problem outâ, I smiled and thought, that should hold him, now give me the letter and get out so I can think.
He didnât move, instead he looked toward the window, âTake a look outside Mrs Brownâ, I rose, pulling my skirt down and went to the window. A huge removal van sat outside, there was a knock on the door, before I had time to move he got up and opened the door, two large men in overalls marked Furniture Warehouse walked in.
He returned to the seat, sit down gentlemen, we still have some things to discuss with Mrs Brown, I looked out at the van once more then went and stood in front of the fireplace.
âSo we are going to get it all, in itâs entirety on Friday, is that correctâ, I could feel the sarcasm in his voice, I smiled and nodded, he smiled back at me, âGood thatâs settled thenâ, I breathed I sigh of relief.
He suddenly said, âThere you can make arrangements to have this furniture and all other goods returned to youâ. I was stunned, he turned to the two men, âGet it loadedâ.
They stood up, I know I shouldnât but I shouted, âNo, no wait eerrr please we must talkâ.
They sat down again, Mr Barber looked at me, âWhat is there to talk about that we havenât talked about alreadyâ?
He knew I was lying but with my best sweet girly look I carried on, âLook, thatâs silly, why waste time lugging all this stuff out only to lug it back again, doesnât make sense, besides you big strong men must have other things to doâ.
Barber put his clipboard down intertwined his fingers and pushed back in to the chair, âMakes sense to us and it will to our boss, or we give you this, itâs a court order, for you to attend the county court on the 3rd of next month to face criminal chargesâ, he took a delight in reading allowed, âFurniture Warehouse verses Brown for unpaid debts totalling ÂŁ4876.44â.
They sat silently looking at me, my brain raced, the computer all Daniels work, everything, how would I explain that I had gambled away our money, our home, we would have to start all over again, thatâs if Daniel stayed with me. They were waiting for me to cry, I wanted to but I thought lets go for the sympathy vote.
âLook Mr Barber can I be honest with you, I did have the money but I lost itâ.
I noticed the other two men lay back on the sofa as though they had heard it all before but I carried on.
âI had a few tips for the horseâs well you know what itâs like, your partners away a lot and you want something to do so I had a flutter and one thing lead to another, well I lost and then tried to win it back but got deeper in to troubleâ
Barber loosened his tie, âÂŁ4000 is a lot of trouble and hubby is going to give us a cheque on Friday? I think notâ.
I felt myself pleading, âNo, maybe not the full amount but at least we can come together and sort things outâ.
Barber looked at the men, â Gentlemen, looks like we are still loading the wagon, best get startedâ.
Tears burst through and I started to beg, âNo, no, no, please all his work is on the computer, our life is wrapped up in this house, you canât, please no, what can I doâ?
The men sat back, Barber looked at me, âWell while us big strong men think of other things to do, you can get us a drink to start withâ.
As I opened the drinks cabinet I read the label inside, Furniture Warehouse, was I in trouble or what, I poured three brandies and turned to them, âI have brandy is that all rightâ?
Barber said, âThat will be fine, for starters, arenât you having oneâ? I smiled back, âYes of course, now what else can I get you, water, sodaâ?
Barber took the glass but held my hand around it and looked up at me. âExcitedâ.
I pulled away, âWhat do you meanâ?
His eyes never left me, âI said you can get me excitedâ.