Low Road

Baking Blues

Hakeem

"Is this bread vegan?" The anaemic looking redhead asked Hakeem, pointing to his left. He gritted his teeth, forced a smile and explained for the thousandth time that their vegan section was clearly marked with a sign saying 'Vegan: these loaves only' and an arrow pointing straight down. The redhead's face brightened as she drifted over to his right. He placed her at about forty-five years old, definitely a hippy with those harem pants tucked into ankle warmers. The woman's hair was pulled into a messy bun with two random beaded dreadlocks hanging from the back. Please just buy a loaf and go Hakeem silently prayed. Though he'd only been manning the stall for a few days, he already knew her type.

Within seconds of studying the bread the woman turned towards him. Hakeem averted his eyes trying his best to look as busy and unapproachable as possible, but it was no use.

"I'm so surprised that you have a vegan section. It's so hard to buy vegan bread, which is ridiculous as the vegan movement is expanding so quickly. I'm sure soon most of the population will be vegan. Well at least those who have a heart, I mean after you learn how damaging other diets are to our environment and our bodies how could you not switch?" The woman's blue eyes fixed themselves on him challengingly.

Ugh, what was it with these people trying to convert the masses? They were worse than religious zealots. Sure, Hakeem though to himself, he kept his diet clean and led a healthy lifestyle, particularly when he was in training, but if he wanted to eat meat that was his choice. So far today he had been questioned, tried and judged about his diet by two vegetarians and one fruitarian (why was that guy even buying bread?!). He was only missing a vegan to complete his personal quartet of diet terrorists, and here she was. Internally he rolled his eyes. His patience was running too low to endure another conversation about the ethics of animal product consumption.

Covering his irritation he powered up his most charming smile and let loose. A sure-fire way to avoid any question by a member of the female population. It was low of him to use this trick, but desperate times and all that. The redhead's gaze became unfocussed. A dazed smile played around her lips and she began twirling a dreadlock with her fingers. "I...I...I mean I'm sure you would never harm an animal willingly. Or anyone else," she breathed out, her voice mysteriously rising two octaves transforming into a girlish whine. Taking advantage of her break in concentration, Hakeem used the time to swiftly pack the customer's bread up and proceeded to pass it to her. As the redhead fumbled with her purse, he felt a twinge of regret for using his charm so deviously before ruthlessly pushing it aside. He had been up since 3 am helping Auntie Hilda, the owner of the store and his godmother, bake this assorted array of bread. It also happened to be a ball freezing minus two degrees that day. Tiredness and the cold left him short of temper.

The redhead finally managed to extract a five pound note from her purse, passing it to him. Her un-gloved hand lingered on his gloved one, a sultry smile on her lips. "Hey, this might be out a bit out of the blue but a few of my friends are going round to the pub later tonight. Y'know the one at the end of the market road? You should come. I would love to get to know more about you...and this store of course. I'm a big fan of baking and mixing ingredients and all that. Probably why I felt our energies collide just now. You seem really cool. I have a feeling we could connect a lot more once we get to know each other." Her face took on a predatory expression. So much for not approving of hunting; this one was definitely a cougar.

Hakeem dialled down the power of his smile and calmly extracted his fingers, the five pound note securely between them. "Thanks for the offer but this stall keeps me up pretty late."

"I'd like to keep you up pretty late" the redhead purred, her eyes raking up and down his body. Damn, a brazen cougar. He had not seen that one coming. He chuckled to himself. "I don't think my girlfriend would approve but thanks for the offer." The challenge he had seen earlier re-entered the redhead's eyes.