I didn’t run out of Adam’s Hut, I was too overwhelmed. I walked slowly to the door, taking in each and every face of my fellow diners. Their heads were stationary as they tried to look away from the scene they had just witnessed, but their eyes searched for me. A sympathetic Samaritan would only incur further penalties from any one of the seated hierarchy, so everyone remained quiet and motionless.
Outside the enormity of what had happened hit me. A cold wind made my jaw clench and chatter. I ran back to the club where my kiosk was located. Nico was still working inside on paperwork and when he saw me his eyes seemed to soften. I had only been hit five minutes ago, so surely there was no bruise yet? But there was no mistaking my blotchy tear-stained face.
‘What happened? Are you hurt? Who did this to you?’ he asked.
‘Marc hit me in Adam’s Hut. Can I use your phone please, Nico?’ It was starting to hurt even to talk. I paged Tony: ‘I’m in trouble, meet me at the Italian restaurant opposite Adam’s Hut ASAP: Annika.’
Once I had left my message, I turned to Nico. ‘Nico, I can’t believe he hit me.’
Compassion was written all over Nico’s face, but he couldn’t be seen going against the likes of Joe’s nephew. ‘Once you’re up to it, I’ll walk you out,’ was all he said. If anyone else had hit me Nico would have gathered ten of the biggest boys for a Cross-style showdown. I could see Nico was conflicted, so I decided to let him off the hook and wait for Tony. He was, however, kind enough to lend me a sweater to stop me from shaking.
On my way to the restaurant I spotted Joe walking in my direction. I thought now was as good a time as any to cross the road but it was not to be.
‘Annika, agapi mou,’ called Joe.
I couldn’t very well pretend that I hadn’t heard him. Reluctantly I made my way over to him.
‘Where you going, koukla? Come let Joe buy you a hot chocolate.’
‘Joe, there is no way I’m going back into Adam’s Hut.’
‘Who will touch you, or dare to stare when Joe will be sitting right beside you?’
I really couldn’t see the point in talking to Joe. His loyalties would always lie with his blood, the best I could hope for would be compassion. I don’t know why I agreed to go with him but I did. Joe and I passed Marc’s booth on the way to the back of the restaurant where a special table was always reserved for Joe. Marc didn’t look at me, but he knew I was there. We were only two booths back from him and I felt very uncomfortable and not at all safe. People started to leave with full meals remaining on their plate.
‘Annika, Marc is sorry he hit you, but you shouldn’t have gone against him in front of his friends. He only wants the best for you, but you shame him with that thing. Just make him happy and take it out, everyone will be happy then.’
Instead of pointing out the obvious to Joe, who was probably not even aware women voted, I opted to sit silently and sip my hot chocolate. I let him prattle on but I was not listening. I knew it was nothing that I wanted or needed to hear. Then I saw Marc rise from his table. Please let him be leaving, God please let him be leaving. He turned and walked in my direction, his eyes staring right into mine.
With one hand on the back of the booth and the other on the table, he leant his head right into my ear. ‘Please, agapi mou, let’s not stay angry at one another, do as I have asked then we can forget all about this night.’
I didn’t want to speak, but a single tear slipped down my face, totally from fear. He was not going to be satisfied by silence. I put my chocolate down and held my purse to my stomach. I couldn’t even bear to look at him. It took all my strength to swivel my legs around in order to leave.
When he saw that I was trying to leave without speaking to him, he lifted his body to an upright position again. Then, bang! I went flying across the booth, burning myself on the way through on a hot Greek coffee. My knees were on the surface of the table, while my body and head were on the vinyl seat. My hand felt my nose and it was bleeding profusely. I raised my head to see if the onslaught had finished. Was he coming towards me? Instead I saw him beside a now standing Joe and they were screaming at each other in Greek. Like a rocket I was out of there and straight into the Italian restaurant across the street.
All the staff knew I was Marc’s girl. As bad as I looked to turn me away would be an insult to Marc and Joe, which they were not prepared to do. Of course I wasn’t going to tell them Marc had been the perpetrator of my injuries, for then they would surely kick me out. They gave me ice and a clean shirt and a seat in the back. I only had to wait twenty minutes before Tony arrived.
His expression was a combination of when will you learn and that looks painful. All his lips gave away was, ‘Let’s get you out of here.’ In the car, he told me that we were going to breakfast. I wasn’t hungry at all but who was I to argue?
‘Anywhere except the Cross please, Tony.’