Daisy Got Laid Ch. 10

Daisy and Max's journey is almost over. It has been a bumpy ride so far and it isn't over yet...

* * *

The Conclusion

Max went back to bed after Maeve left first thing Sunday morning. He had felt surprisingly sad saying goodbye to her and, as it was a Sunday, he saw no need to stay up when he still felt tired. There was nothing urgent he desperately had to do – work could wait until tomorrow.

By the time he awoke for a second time, it was gone noon and the room was unbearably warm. With a yawn, he forced himself to jump in the shower and wake up from the gloomy fugue that seemed to be swamping him.

Eventually the coffee and toast worked and he felt slightly more human again. Maeve would be halfway back to Ireland by now. He thought about her for a long wistful moment. There was no doubt that he would miss her particular brand of Irish charm. But life went on as ever and he had every intention of sticking to his plan of forgetting about women for the time being.

As he wandered into the living room, he glanced at his mobile sat on the coffee table and belatedly realised he had a missed call. Hoping it wasn't Belinda with a list of things she needed him to do, he picked up the small Nokia and flipped it open.

Max nearly fell over in shock when he realised the call had been from Daisy! Checking the time of the call, he noted that it had come at 3.17am. What on earth was she ringing him at that time of the morning? In fact, why was she calling him full stop? She must have drunk-dialled, he concluded. There could be no other viable explanation after all the time that had passed.

Despite his doubts that the phone call was a sign she was missing him, he pressed 'call' and anxiously waited for her to answer. It went straight to voicemail and once again, he listened to her husky tones informing him that she was just too busy to take his call. With a growl of frustration, he hurled the phone across the room.

"Goddamn that woman!" he yelled to nobody in particular.

He decided quickly that now would be a good time to go for a VERY long run. Exercise was the best way to clear his head of rubbish. Hopefully it would tire him out enough to be able to chill and watch the Formula 1 Racing later on this afternoon.

After pulling on his running gear, he headed outside to go burn some calories down the park. It was not exactly his favourite way of burning calories, but sex wasn't on the menu any more. With Maeve gone and Daisy unavailable, he was left with endless circuits of the local neighbourhood as a poor substitute for carnal pleasure.

Max pounded off down the street, muttering irritably to himself about 'women'. He ignored the admiring glances from a couple of teenage girls stood smoking by the bus stop. He was far too busy pondering why Daisy had called him in the middle of the night.


* * *

Daisy was extremely busy all afternoon. She had tonnes of housework to catch up on as well as endless piles of ironing. Now that Mike was gone, she had more time to do that kind of stuff. It was not exactly fun, but it still needed doing and as she was working tonight, she wanted to try and clear the backlog before her shift began.

She had returned from the meeting with Jen with an increasing sense of disquiet. Something was seriously wrong and Jen was clearly in trouble. She had rang Irene (Jen's mum), as soon as she arrived home.

There was very little she could tell the poor woman, but at least she was able to reassure her that Jen was still alive and okay. Irene was so grateful that for the news, Daisy did not have the heart to tell her that she was still extremely worried about Jen.

She pulled her phone from her bag and plugged it in to charge. The battery had gone flat again whilst she was out. Damn phone, she thought irritably. It was about time she bought a new one – the battery never seemed to charge up properly these days.

* * *

It was a quiet evening at work. The time seemed to drag by very slowly and Daisy sidled off halfway through the evening to do some paperwork. Her office was upstairs, away from the noise of the main bar area and she was glad of the peace and quiet.

The other staff were not exactly rushed off their feet and they didn't need her to help behind the bar tonight. One of the girls had asked if she could leave early and Daisy had agreed without any hesitation. It shouldn't take long to clear up later, and if Jen turned up as promised, they could do the work together as they used to do in the old days.

Daisy had met Jen when she had done a short stint behind the bar last year. They had always got along well and when Daisy's former lodger moved out, she had had no hesitation in offering Jen the room.

Looking back, Daisy wondered if maybe she could have prevented what had happened. Jack was bad news right from the beginning. He had shown up at the bar one night with a group of mates, drunk and annoyingly loud. He had tried to chat up Daisy, but with no success whatsoever.

Daisy had a firm policy of not flirting with the customers whilst she was working. It was just not worth the hassle and generally the men took the knock back with good grace. Unfortunately Jack was not that intelligent.

He had assumed Daisy's blistering put-downs were only an invitation to try harder. The man had the hide of a rhinoceros. He seemed to have no understanding of the word 'no'.

Eventually Daisy had had enough of Jack's attentions – she had asked Bill on the door to escort him outside and politely ask him not to return anytime soon. Jack had unsurprisingly reacted badly to being thrown out in front of his laughing mates.

Public humiliation was not something he took kindly too. He had been waiting for her after her shift had ended. It was only the timely intervention of one of the bar staff that had saved Daisy from a serious incident. Jack had backed off as soon as he realised they were not alone any more and Daisy had been left with a feeling that she had been very lucky to escape unscathed.

She had decided not to report the incident to the Police – it seemed rather trivial in the cold light of the next day. Besides, Jack didn't show his face again and she had pretty much forgotten about that night until Jen introduced him some months later.

Daisy was aware Jen had started seeing a new bloke and was crazy about him. When Jack appeared in the bar with his cocky grin, Daisy's heart had plummeted like a stone. She could scarcely believe that Jen had managed to hook up with that piece of scum.

Unfortunately Jen was unwilling to hear any bad words about the new love of her life. In her eyes, Jack could do no wrong. Daisy had tried to tell her about the incident outside the bar, but Jen did not want to hear it. She was completely in his thrall, for better or worse.

Jack was a deeply dubious character and he did not appear to have any kind of legitimate job. He always seemed to have money to throw around however, and Daisy had a strong suspicion he dealt in drugs here and there. She knew Jen had been experimenting shortly before she and Jack vanished.

If only she had been more vocal with her warnings about Jack, Jen might have taken more notice.

If only she had gone to the Police and filed a complaint about the attempted assault, Jack might have changed his ways.

If only... They had to be two of the saddest words in the English language.

Daisy stared at the screen of her laptop. The accounts were giving her a headache already and it was only ten thirty. The columns of figures kept blurring before her eyes and the bank reconciliation was taking forever and a day.

Feeling tired and fed up, she sat back in her chair and wondered if Jen would turn up later. She hoped so – she was going to do her damnedest to persuade her to leave Jack and go home to her Mum before things got out of hand. In Daisy's opinion, Jack deserved whatever shit he had fallen into - Jen most certainly did not. She was an innocent passenger in whatever scam Jack was mixed up in and the sooner she extricated herself, the better.

Rubbing her eyes with a yawn, Daisy decided to nip back downstairs and make another black coffee. It might be the only way she would get through the evening without falling asleep. After her disturbed night last night, she was exhausted.

* * *

Daisy called last orders and the few people remaining who returned to the bar for a final drink, were served. It had been an incredibly slow night. Even the bar staff had commented on the lack of business. Since Marie had gone off early, there were only the two of them left to clear up.

Cindy went round collecting empty glasses while Daisy cashed up the till. She glanced up to notice Jen walk in through the door and with a huge grin she gestured her over.

"Do you want a coffee or something a little stronger?" she asked.

"A whiskey please," Jen requested in a low voice. She looked very jumpy and Daisy couldn't help wondering why.

Daisy poured her a measure of whiskey and Jen took a seat at the bar as Daisy and Cindy dashed round clearing up while the remaining customers finished their drinks.

Before long the last person left and Daisy locked the door behind them. It was dark outside, but the bar was bathed in a soft yellow glow. The ashtrays were emptied and the tables wiped down. Eventually the room was tidy again and ready for the cleaners to come in tomorrow morning.

"Okay if I go now?" Cindy asked politely. She would normally stay until Daisy was ready to lock up and set the alarm, but it seemed like she and Jen were in no rush to leave.

Cindy eyed Jen curiously. She had met her a few times and had heard on the grape-vine about her temporary disappearance. It was none of her business or anything, but she looked like shit sat there. She couldn't help wondering what was going on with her. It had to be something bad; she just hoped that Daisy was not going to be dragged into it. Daisy was far too nice for her own good sometimes.

"Sure, you get off – I need to talk to Jen so I'm not going anywhere just yet."

"Cool. See you tomorrow night." Cindy smiled at Daisy warmly and nodded politely at Jen.

Jen looked away and Cindy felt a ripple of annoyance run through her. That was just plain rude! With a flick of her red hair, she grabbed her jacket and headed outside. She was looking forward to going home and seeing her boyfriend, Tim. Her face broke out in a huge smile and she jogged down the street to where her car was parked, all thoughts of Jen long gone.

She didn't notice a figure partially concealed in the shadows behind the large refuse dumpster.

* * *

Daisy locked the exit doors and turned most of the lights off. Grabbing a bottle of decent wine, she said cheerfully,

"Come on, let's go upstairs and have a drink and chat. It'll be like old times!"

"Okay, I'm just gonna go to the loo and I'll be there." Jen jumped down and disappeared towards the Ladies toilets.

Daisy walked upstairs and into her office. She shut her PC down and opened the bottle of red wine. Pouring two glasses, she sat down on the leather settee in the corner and waited for Jen to return.

The wine tasted good and when Jen walked in to the room, she passed her the other glass and beckoned her to take a seat.

"Come on, tell me what's been going on," she said firmly.

"Oh Daisy..." Jen's voice broke slightly and she hung her head. "You have no idea the mess I am in..."

"No I don't – but unless you tell me, I can't exactly help you!" Daisy could feel herself becoming exasperated and she tried to keep her voice neutral. The last thing she needed was for Jen to storm off in a huff. She would learn nothing if that happened.


"Jack got involved with some dangerous people. He sold some drugs and didn't pass all the money back to the man he was meant to pay..." Jen sat there biting the skin round her nails and Daisy felt like wringing the bastard's neck.

"But why are you involved?" Daisy was still perplexed as to why Jen had felt the need to stick by Jack despite the obvious danger he represented. She was a smart girl beneath the silly exterior – surely she had more sense than that?

Jen looked hunted. She sipped the wine nervously and fiddled with her jacket sleeve. Just for a second the she pushed the fabric up her arm as she scratched the skin beneath and Daisy saw the tell-tale marks on her arm. The penny dropped into the depths of a very dark well.

"Oh Jen, no! Please don't tell me you've being doing drugs?"

Jen went whiter than a glacier. "I... d-don't know wh-wh-what you mean," she stuttered unconvincingly, her head hanging in shame at Daisy's furious expression.

Daisy grabbed Jen's arm harshly. "Oh really?" she spat angrily. "What's this then?" The needle marks were all up her skinny arms like a poisonous tattoo.

"It's not Jack's fault!" Jen began to cry, tears running down her pale cheeks. "I was just experimenting and it got out of hand..." She sobbed harder, her thin body shaking like a sapling in the wind.

Daisy felt like throttling her but she knew damned well it would do no good at all. She blamed Jack – Jen had never touched drugs before she met Jack. It was all his doing and when he finally turned up, he would pay for this.

A noise from downstairs caused her to look up sharply. Daisy glanced at Jen, the conversation momentarily forgotten.

"Did you hear that?" she asked sharply, "I'd better go see what it is."

"NO!" Jen jumped up in alarm, "Leave it!"

Daisy went ice cold. "What do you mean – leave it? Do you know who's down there?" She felt sick now. It was suddenly obvious that there was more to this meeting than Daisy had realised. Jen looked scared to death and reached out, trying to grab Daisy's arm, but she missed.

Daisy flew out of the office and ran downstairs without thinking of the consequences at all. If she had, she might have stopped to call the Police first.

The lights were off in the bar, but she still could make out the figure of a man with his hands in the till.

"What the hell do you think you are doing?" Daisy yelled angrily, white hot rage obliterating all thoughts of personal safety.

"Well, well, well... If it isn't Miss Daisy," spoke a familiar voice. "You should have stayed upstairs with Jen. I would have been out of here in a flash, but now you have seen me, well that's different." He grinned evilly at her in the reflected light from the corridor and Daisy experienced a shiver of foreboding.

She suddenly realised she had bitten off more than she could chew.

Jack shut the till and turned to face her. "Where is the money? The till is empty."

"Course it fucking is, you dumb bastard. I took it to the night safe already." Daisy lied. She just prayed Jack would believe her.

"Don't fuck me about, bitch. I have been watching you all evening and I know you haven't been anywhere. Now stop playing games and just give me the money. I really don't want to hurt you..." He advanced on her, a sick smile playing on his face and Daisy began to panic a little.

"Does Jen know what you are doing?" she said, trying to stall him.

"Of course she does! Who do you think unlocked the door? You really are a stupid bitch, aren't you?"

Daisy's heart fell. She had pretty much suspected this, but to hear him say it was like a knife in her heart. She didn't think she could ever forgive Jen for such a betrayal.

"How do you know the Police aren't on their way right now?" Daisy found herself backed up against the bar with nowhere else left to go. Her only hope was that Jen saw sense and called 999. She had a strong suspicion that was not going to happen however. She really did not want to hand over the evening's takings to Jack, but it looked like she was going to have no choice.

"You haven't had the chance to call them. I know where the panic button is and you are nowhere near it," he grinned. "Jen would have stopped you using the phone in the office." The expression on his pock-marked face was triumphant and Daisy inwardly seethed.

This was no spur of the moment thing. They had planned this in advance. Jen knew all the security details because she had worked here, so that meant the whole meeting at lunchtime and tonight, was a set-up. If Daisy was not so scared, she would be madder than hell right now.

"Come on, stop messing me about and hand over the cash!" Jack stepped up to her, pressing his body against her hard. Daisy could smell the alcohol on his breath and the stale odour of sweat. Her skin crawled with disgust.

"Or maybe I could persuade you another way?" His smile reminded Daisy of a cobra about to strike. There was no warmth in it at all, just pure venom. She tried to keep the fear from showing. If he guessed how scared she really was, he had won.

"I told you before, I think you are a disgusting slime ball – are you too stupid to understand?" Daisy hissed.

"And there was me thinking you liked me... I am distraught, Daisy. But you know what? I really don't care whether you like me or not. I am happy to take what I want regardless..." They both knew he wasn't talking about the money anymore and Daisy trembled despite her best intentions.

Jack grinned malevolently, his eyes shining with an insane light. Christ, he was on something, Daisy suddenly realised. There would be no reasoning with him in that state.

He slid his hand down her tee-shirt, rubbing across her nipple and squeezing her breast hard enough to hurt. "Want some of this?" he asked nastily, pulling her into his body and allowing her to feel his rock hard erection.

"No thanks, I haven't had my rabies shot this year," Daisy retorted.

"Why you fucking bitch!" Jack said, angry spittle spraying all over Daisy's face.

"JACK! What are you doing?" Jen appeared in the doorway and Jack jumped back slightly.

"Tell her to give us the fucking cash – she is beginning to piss me off now." Jack suddenly grabbed Daisy's throat and Jen screamed.

"Daisy just give him the money!" Jen was shaking, looking from Jack to Daisy in a panic stricken way.

"Why Jen? Just tell me why and I will do as he says!" Daisy stood firmly and stared at her former friend, trying not to blame her but not succeeding all that well.

"I had no choice..." Jen sobbed hysterically.

"We all have choices, Jen." Daisy replied sadly. "You just made the wrong ones."

"Okay, end of conversation. I have run out of patience now – give me the cash or I am gonna put a hole in your fucking head!" Jack stepped back and pulled a small hand gun from his jacket pocket before pointing it at Daisy.

Jen screamed and Daisy froze. Oh fuck, she thought helplessly.

Jack's hand shook alarmingly and Daisy had a sudden vision of herself lying in a pool of blood. "It's in the safe," she said quietly, trying not to fixate on the gun pointing at her head.

"At last, we are finally getting somewhere," Jack said in an exaggerated show of joyous relief. "Now let's go and open the fucking safe!"

He prodded her with the muzzle of the gun and Daisy walked down the corridor and up the stairs. The safe was in her office and she walked in slowly, wishing she had called in sick this evening.

Slowly she keyed in the combination of numbers and the door opened smoothly. Jack pushed her out of the way and grabbed the bag containing all the cash,

"Hallelujah!" he chortled happily. "This should solve my immediate problems."

"What the fuck is going on?" said a deep male voice from the doorway. The three people in the room spun round in shock to see who had spoken.

* * *

Max had made a rash decision earlier that evening. If the mountain wouldn't come to him, he would just have to go the mountain. This whole situation with Daisy was practically giving him a stomach ulcer and it was about time they sorted it out, once and for all.