Kay tried to turn away to hide her face but it was too late.Anna had already spotted her and bounced over, full of festive cheer.
“Kay! Merry Christmas,” she said, in her Polish accent. “Iseverything OK with you? I heard Mr McVie say he was going to turn off yourelectricity at lunchtime.”
She was showing genuine concern, which was so like her.Desperately trying to hide the unbearable emotions churning away inside her,Kay just about managed to reply without her voice cracking.
“It’s OK, Anna, I haven’t been home. I’m staying away forChristmas, so McVie can do whatever he likes.”
“I think he is very cruel to you,” said Anna. “I hope maybeyou can find somewhere else to live soon?”
“I hope so,” replied Kay. “And maybe you should findsomewhere else to work. You really should not let him abuse you like he does.The things he was saying the other day were nothing short of bullying, not tomention racist.”
Kay knew these words were pointless, knowing that the girlwould never see another dawn, let alone find another job. She just wanted tolet her know that not everyone in the town thought the way McVie did. It was atiny crumb of comfort, not a lot to take with her to the grave, but what elsedid Kay have to offer?
“It’s not easy,” replied Anna. “Although my family has beenhere seven years, it is hard to find jobs that pay well. The bosses think wewill work for very little because we are from Poland, but it is very expensiveto live here.”
While Anna was speaking, Kay glanced up and was horrified tosee the bloated figure of McVie approaching behind her. This was all sheneeded. What was he doing in here? She had never seen him in the pub before. Hemust be one of those once a year drinkers that just came out at Christmas.
“Well, well, well, if it isn’t Lil’ Miss Gummy,” remarkedMcVie. “I want a word with you.”
“Whatever you’ve got to say, I’m not interested,” said Kay,and she meant it. He had no hold over her anymore, in this universe or theother one, so for once she could speak her mind.
“I told you I wanted that rent by today. And where were youwhen I came up to collect it? In here, I suppose, like the drunken old slag youare. No wonder you can’t afford to pay my rent if you’re pissing all your moneyup in the pub. So don’t bother trying to put the lights on when you get home:they won’t work.”
“Do you think I give a fuck?” retorted Kay. “You can shoveyour shitty little flat up your arse.”
“Careful, missy,” said McVie, leering towards her. “Youdon’t want to get on the wrong side of me.” He made no attempt to disguise thethreat in his voice.
He hadn’t noticed Anna yet, as she had been standing withher back to him the whole time, but now the young Polish girl turned around andlet fly with both barrels.
“Why don’t you leave her alone?” she yelled, taking both himand Kay by surprise. “I think you are a very cruel and horrible man, Mr McVie.”
“Oh, so you’re here as well, are you? So that’s why youwanted the night off,” said McVie. “And there was me thinking you were going tohave nice cosy evening with however many brothers and sisters you brought overhere with you. Clearly I’ve been paying you too much if you can afford to comedrinking in this place.”
“You pay me five pounds per hour and it’s exploitation,”responded Anna.
“Yeah, well, that’s probably a fortune in your country. Youshould be glad there are people like me who are willing to let you come overhere and work. In your case, however, you don’t work for me anymore. As of thismoment, you can consider yourself sacked.”
“You can’t do that,” said Kay. “Anna was just sticking upfor me. Take it out on me if you are going to take it out on anyone.”
She looked towards the gents, willing Kent to get a move onas she could desperately use some backup, but there was no sign of him.
“I think you’ll find I can do whatever I want,” repliedMcVie. “She’s got no contract, no paperwork, in fact nothing at all to proveshe ever worked for me. Do you think I want all that paperwork and expense –tax and National Insurance? Bollocks to that. Foreigners work cash in hand, noquestions asked. They like it that way, and so do I.”
Turning back to Anna, he added, “And that means I don’t evenneed to pay you this week’s wages. Merry Christmas.” He started laughing.
“I want what you owe me,” said Anna. Kay could see she wasfighting back the tears, as she tried to stick up to this vile man. “I am goingto tell my brothers about this.”
“What, that bunch of unemployed illegal immigrants?” askedMcVie. “Do you think I’m scared of them?”
“What’s going on here?” asked Kent, who had finally emergedfrom the toilets and caught the tail-end of the conversation.
“This man is making a nuisance of himself,” said Kay.
“Is he now?” asked Kent. “Look here, mate, I suggest youmove along and stop bothering these ladies.”
“Why, what are you going to do, arrest me?” replied McVie.“Oh no, you can’t do that anymore, can you? Not that you ever could. I know whoyou are, pal. You’re that crap policeman who can’t catch any criminals. The onethat got kicked out and replaced by a woman! You’re a fucking laughing stock,mate.”
Even though the pub was packed and the disco was blaringout, the argument was beginning to attract attention. Thankfully help had nowarrived from behind the bar. One of the barmaids, sensing trouble, had calledCraig over and he now intervened.
“He may not be able to arrest you, but this is my pub and Isay who does or doesn’t drink here. Any more crap out of you, and you’re out.Now shift yourself elsewhere, away from these people, or you’re out.”
McVie reluctantly complied, but he threw a filthy look atKay and Anna as he moved away, letting them know in no uncertain terms thatthis
