Sue was glad to hear the door slam, her son Mark arriving home from college well before the evening meal. Mark's mother Sue was enjoying her new home, and was particularly pleased that Mark and Kelly, her daughter, had their own rooms, and particularly pleased to have a garden. The house had been a gift from some people Mark had worked for, and while she sometimes wondered exactly what Mark had done for them to make them so generous -- Mark wouldn't say anything about it - she had settled well into the new home, and so much of the pressure of finding rent-money, and being secure in a tough area, had been taken off her shoulders.
"Hi Honey," she said as Mark took a bottle of coke from the fridge. "I've got some news for you."
"News?" Mark wasn't particularly interested -- probably something from his mother's work, or about the neighbours, or her sister.
"Had a phone call today from Chris. You know that guy who let us have this house?" Sue wasn't quite aware of the impact the 'news' had on Mark, but he was suddenly listening.
"He asked if you could work a late shift for him on Saturday." Mark's heart lept. "Said it was at a private lodge he and his partner Tony had hired for the weekend. They have a conference with twenty or so guys there on Saturday evening, and a few of them were going to stay over to Sunday. Said to work the shift, then perhaps to stay over until Sunday to help, or perhaps 'til Monday if you wanted. I said you would be delighted to do it."
Sue wondered why Mark started stammering, but it came out as "Okay mum" in the end. A whole weekend of being taken......................
Suddenly Mark was tuning in to his mother again. "The thing is," said Sue, "He said he was wondering if I knew a female who would work as well, as they needed a couple of people to look after twenty of them. I hope you don't mind, but I said I was free over the weekend as long as we got back by Sunday evening for Kelly, and would be happy to do a late shift, as it would be a good way of repaying their generosity a bit, and even better if they pay a bit as well...................."
As Sue chattered Mark had slumped into a chair in shock, not that his mother had noticed -- she continued chattering. "Thing is, he said I would be ideal to work the late shift with you, he had been hoping I would offer, said I was perfect for the shift."
"Mum, you can't..................." For the first time Mark was looking at his mother. She had changed since moving to the new house. Until the move she had carried the cares of the world, and dressed to match in rather baggy frumpy sort of clothes. Through the summer, after the move, she had dressed better, wearing closer fitting clothes. She had been emphasising her shape, which was shapely. Her hair was nicer. Mark looked at her in shock at what she said, but his mind was distracted. She was an attractive woman. He could suddenly see why Chris liked the thought of her doing the late shift.
"Mark, what is it? I thought you'd be pleased that we could work together for once on a shift -- just you and me. Don't worry -- I won't try to boss you around or anything....................."
"Mum," Mark pulled his mind together. "Do you know what a late shift is?"
"Well," Sue replied lightly, "I can guess by what you have said. Serve a few drinks. Mop up if the men are being a bit sick or drunk. Maybe wash up glasses, and serve food. What is it honey?"
Sue had been taken aback by her son staring at her, shaking his head in disbelief. Suddenly he leapt to his feet and rushed to his bedroom. He cast a look over his should and cried "You can't do it."
From the Tuesday when they had the conversation, it was obvious to Sue that something was wrong, but she found herself tip-toeing around her son, conversation being superficial. She had done nothing about cancelling the shift, and it was obvious that over the next couple of days Mark's level of anxiety was increasing. Two or three times he had said "Mum, Cancel the shift, please," but had then changed the subject immediately. He had phoned Chris, but then chickened out of cancelling, and had arranged where and when they were to go. At last on the Thursday, Sue knew she had to confront her son.
It was after their evening meal she sat him on a chair at the dining table. "Okay, Mark. There is something dodgy going on. There is something funny here -- the way you say "a late Shift", and the looks you give me when I say it. What's going on? You're not moving until you tell me."
Over and over Mark said "I can't tell you." Over and over Sue kept asking.
At last Mark screamed at her. "Okay, I'll tell you. Promise you won't go ballistic." Sue promised.
"Do you know why they gave us this house?" Mark stared hard at his mother.
"Yes," Sue replied, "because you did a long shift for them and did a great job for them. That's what they told me. And you told me."