A cottage core tale

Rough night at work 🍻

Some time passed from Katie's friend visit and it was now twenty past seven, she had a night shift at the "cheers and beers", the pub where she worked.

Reluctantly getting up from the sofa, Kat headed for her room followed by Sky. She got her red coat on.

Her alarm clock signed half past 7.
Darn it, I'm already late. She flew down the stairs, caught her keys and hopped on her bike that was waiting outside. She cycled as fast as she could down her drive way to arrive not so after to the main lane.

Panting she slowed down. It was nearly pitch dark and shop keepers were closing the shutters of their stores. The Kids playing outside were being called by their mothers on the front door for dinner and the lane was illuminated only from the lights of the houses.
Katie pedalled until she arrived to the port.

The known sign of the pub stood before her. She secured her bike to the bike stand and headed to the back door of the pub's kitchen. The overwhelming smell of raw fish and Sherry hit her sensible face. As always, the kitchen was filled with panic and hustle. The cooks were shouting at each other, while the waiters kept running in and out the swinging doors with new orders and requests.

"Katie! You're late as always!" An unmistakable voice called her across the loud room. It was Joseph, the head cook and owner of the place. "I know I'm so sorry, it won't happen again, I promise!" She told her boss. "There's no time for excuses, put your apron on instead and start taking our clients orders, we're packed tonight." He responded rougly.

Joseph was tall and big man. You would compare him to a gentle giant, with his abrupt ways but big heart. He had grey hair and a bushy moustache. He threw her the apron, which she caught in the air. Kat tied it quickly behind her back and reached for a pen and note pad. She then put her hair in a quick bun, ready for another dreaded night.

She swinged the kitchens doors open and found herself in the bar area. The barman, Daniel, swiftly greeted her, and she responded with a bright smile. Just then a scruffy man called her.

"Oi! Come here hon, we need more pints!" She turned around and saw a crowded table surrounded by unpleasant and smelly men. It was okay though, she was used to deal with these people. "How many, sir?" She gently asked. "Four beers and two whiskeys darlin'"

  "right away" She appointed the order on her note pad and went over to the bar area. She ripped the slip of paper off the pad and left it on the  counter for Daniel, and Sara, to see. In the meanwhile she went over to other tables to take some dirty dishes to the kitchen.

Not so after, Daniel rang the bell for her to collect the tray with the enormous jars of beer, over flowing with it's foam. She danced her way through the busy tables and went over to table number twelve. "Here you are! Enjoy"

she then hastily turned to go back in the kitchen, but the man that called her before stopped her. She turned on her heels to face them again.
"Why so much hurry? come sit here with us ay?" An evil grin spread on his face, showing his rotten yellow teeth.

She breathed in shakily. She knew what was going to come wouldn't be pleasant.

The company of the monster laughed. Didn't really sound like laughing, more like a crow croaking. "I'm sorry, but I'm really busy, until next time" the poor girl was still respectful even in a situation like this.

"Oh don't be shy, we won't hurt ya know?" Another round of laugh from his friends. "Like I said, I can't, I'm sor-" the man lost his patience and didn't play nice anymore. He grabbed her hip and pulled her firmly in his lap. "Now I don't have time for fooling around, so you do as I say. Ight?"

He slightly raised his voice, but not enough to catch the attention of others." Katie looked over to Daniel, but he was too busy filling cups with liquor. Her breath started to shake even more. "Please..." she said, her voice breaking.

the man didn't even hear. She didn't have a choice, all she could do was stay there. The monster's grip was too firm for her to escape. No one in sight could've help her, and she had no idea of what to do.

The guy approached her even more touching her thigh and stroking her blonde hair with his dirty fingers. "You are a pretty little girl ya know?" Ugh, they are so sick.

After a few minutes of sick comments that felt like hours, the front door of the pub slammed open letting some sea breeze from outside in, mixing with the hot and thick one coming from the kitchen.

Instantly, everyone turned to see who it was. They'd expect another local fisherman, since at the pub you can only find usual customers. Everyone knew each other. But to their surprise, the ones entering weren't common at all. They were girls. Yes, girls!!

They were three, and looked very foreign. The one in the middle had dark red curly hair and beautiful blue eyes. Her cheeks and nose were covered with freckles. She had a golden nose ring and lots of rings and bracelets.

The one on her right had gorgeous black skin, and her blue braids where so long they touched her butt. The girl on her left in the other hand, was really pale, in contrast with her short black hair. She had a tattoo in her forearm, a dragon with green details.

They looked like.. pirates. Coming from a land far away. Katie couldn't help but stare at them amazed. She was dying with curiosity, and she nearly forgot about the filthy persons at the table. After a minute of deadly silence, everyone got disinterested and got back to their food and drinks.

The man who was holding kat was still looking at them, already saying degrading comments. Katie took the chance: she stepped on his foot with all her strength.

A yelp of surprise came from him. She took him off guard but shortly after he was able to yank her by her arm back in place. He started yelling and screaming in rage, now really getting the crowd's attention.

Luckily, the mysterious girls noticed too. Katie frantically looked at them: the redhead was whispering something to the girl on her left side, while staring Kat in her eyes. She slowly walked towards her. She was still searching her eyes.

"What's the problem here gentlemen?" She said scanning each man at the table.
"None of your business for sure"
One of them snarled.
"Oh, I'm sorry, my bad then" she let out a deep chuckle coming from her throat, filled with sarcasm.

The way her lips curled in a cryptic smile started something in Kat's stomach, her eyes were sparkling under the bright lights of the pub. Everyone was silent, waiting for her next step.