More than just a Bad Hair Day

More Than Just a Bad Hair Day

Jade glanced up as the train began to slow and some of the passengers rose from their seats as the next station drew close. A businessman in a pin-stripe suit made eye contact and she quickly averted her gaze. She stared out of the window to her left, seeing the graffiti covered fence beside the tracks and the city rooftops beyond. The reflection of her pale face overlaid the familiar scene, her short, black hair glistening with the gel she'd used after waking with a bad case of 'bed-hair.'
A young man rose and stared at Jade as he approached her seat. His gaze fell on the handbag by her feet as the train's brakes screeched a little and it began to slow. The carriage jolted slightly as it came to a halt and some of the standing passengers had to reach out for support.
The doors slid open and people began to disembark. The young lad waited until the last person was leaving and then made his move. Snatching the handbag, he then ran for the doors.
Jade looked up in shock. 'Hey! That's my bag,' she shouted, rising from her seat as the thief exited the carriage.
She quickly made her way down the aisle, but as Jade was nearing the doors a man in jeans and a white T-shirt stepped in her way.
'Excuse me,' she said urgently.
The man turned to her with a look of mild surprise, but still blocked her path.
'Get out of the way,' demanded Jade in exasperation as she glanced out of the windows to see the lad running along the platform.
'I need the toilet,' responded the man defensively.
Jade sagged as the thief disappeared from view amongst the people outside. 'Great!' she said with a shake of her head. 'Thanks a bundle.'
The man frowned at Jade, ran his right hand through his short, brown hair and then made his way to the toilet as a young couple boarded the train arm in arm and pushed rudely passed her. She sighed as the beeps sounded and the doors slid shut. Turning, she saw that the couple had taken her seat.
Smoothing down her pale blue shirt while trying to regain her composure, Jade walked along the aisle. She stopped by her seat and stared down at the teenage lovers. 'I'm afraid this seat is taken,' she said with a forced smile.
'I don't think so,' replied the boy with a sneer.
'I was sitting here before you got on,' insisted Jade, smile now gone.
'You shouldn't have left it unattended,' said the boy as his girlfriend tossed back her long, dark hair nonchalantly.
Jade glared at them for a moment, but decided there wasn't any point in arguing the matter further. This just wasn't going to be her day. She looked along the carriage, but the only remaining seat was beside the man who'd blocked her pursuit of the thief and she had no intention of sitting next to him.
Jade wandered along the carriage and went out of the sliding, glass doors at the end to stand in the small corridor where the toilet and exit were located. Her stop was only a minute or so away and so she wouldn't have to stand there for long.
Holding onto a green handrail, Jade took a couple of deep breaths, only then realising that her phone had been in the handbag, which meant she'd have to wait until she got into work to report the crime. She shook her head miserably and stared out of the window in the door, the city passing at a steady pace outside.
The train soon slowed and juddered slightly as it pulled to a stop at the station. Jade readied herself and then pressed the door release button, conscious that the man who'd blocked her pursuit was standing behind her as they slid open.
Jade stepped onto the platform and made her way to the exit. She left the station and headed for the pub and restaurant where she was manager, her heels clipping on the pavement as she walked briskly. The sun was bright, but her mood remained dark and gloomy as she thought about the robbery.
When she arrived at the Town and Gown Jade found that her assistant manager had already opened up. She walked in and glanced at the empty seating area to the right as she went over to the bar opposite the front door.
'Morning, Jade,' greeted the assistant manager cheerily from the other side of the counter.
'Morning, Cassie,' replied Jade as a couple of customers entered and made their way to the bar.
'What can I get you?' enquired Cassie, moving along the bar in order to serve the men.
'Two pints of best,' said one of the men in a husky voice. 'And a couple of menus as well.'
Cassie passed the man two menus and poured the pints. He paid for the drinks and then he and the other man made their way to a table beside the front window.
'Could you call the police and ask them to come round?' said Jade, her voice lowered so as not to alarm her customers.
Cassie's blue eyes widened and her smile was replaced by a look of concern. 'What's happened?'
'I'll tell you later,' replied Jade.
'Okay,' said Cassie with a nod as she picked up the black phone receiver to her right.
Jade walked back to the front door and took her keys from the front pocket of her black trousers. After locking it she went to the two customers by the front window.
'I've taken the liberty of ordering for you and the police should be with you shortly,' stated Jade as she looked down at the young handbag snatcher and his carriage-blocking accomplice, thinking that maybe her day wasn't going to be that bad after all.