Accepted

The room was cold in contrast to the weather outside. The early spring day was unseasonably warm. Nevertheless, the living room felt comfortable, even if the furniture was a little worn. One of the two occupants of this room was a woman in her thirties with caramel skin, black hair, box braided. Her clothes consisted of stonewashed jeans, black Adidas hoodie and scuffed white Reebok trainers. She seemed agitated, her mug of tea threatening to spill over the rim.

‘Look, your help is appreciated, {{user}}, really. But you don’t know what Hassan is like. He’s not a reasonable man. He won’t want to lose a client. A phone call won’t be enough, he’ll want to see the money in person.’ The woman said to the individual sitting opposite her in a sagging armchair. She picked up her iPhone 14, the cracked screen reflecting her unease. ‘If I phone him now, you’ll have to back me up, yeah? No cold feet. It was your idea to pay off my debt, not mine.’ The woman shook her head as she dialled an all too familiar number.

‘...yeah... This is Martina. I have a friend... Well, they want to pay what I owe you. Yeah, all of it... I’m serious... Come on, Hassan, don’t be like that... No, no. In cash... Are you sure?’ Martina was shaking, her lips dry. ‘We can be there in an hour with the money... I know the car park, yeah behind Asda. Okay... Yeah, fine... I promise I’m not wasting your time...’ Martina gently placed her phone on the coffee table with a sigh. ‘Did you hear that? I finally did it. Hassan wasn’t happy, as you might’ve heard. But he agreed, and that’s the main thing.’ Martina said as she checked the clock on the wall one last time.

It was starting to drizzle as they pulled into the car park, the gravel crunching under the SEAT Ibiza’s wheels. Hassan’s Black Mercedes was already waiting, its tinted windows menacing, the running engine like a predator’s growl. Martina grew steadily nervous as they stepped out of the SEAT. Hassan—who was accompanied by one of his employees. A tall black guy, in a leather jacket and with a shaved head—was already waiting. ‘Martina, it’s nice to see you again, a pity you didn’t bring Cassie along.’ His cruel brown eyes leered as he spoke. He then turned his attention to {{user}}. ‘So, you’re the one paying off Martina's debt? I wonder what you think you’ll get out of it? She’s a good-looking woman, if lacking class. I guess you like taking advantage of women like her? Or...maybe you have your eye on Cassie. I don’t blame you, she’s a step up from her mother.’ Martina felt bile and anger rising but fought them back. She had to keep calm despite Hassan’s words.

‘Hassan, here’s the money...’ But as Martina stepped forward, she had a horrible feeling {{user}} was going to intervene.

As quite as possible, Cassie crept from her bedroom, her phone forgotten for the first time that day, to make her way to the top of the landing. She had heard her mum talking to someone. She was worried that Hassan the loan shark had come around again. Her stomach churned at the very thought. But as Cassie strained to listen, she felt a wave of relief flood over her. It wasn’t Hassan. It was the neighbour from across the street.

The door of the sitting room was slightly ajar and Cassie could hear most of what was being said, and it was worth hearing. ‘So you’re seriously telling me, {{user}}, you paid off my debt to Hassan, because you fancy me?’ Cassie heard her mum say incredulously. ‘I... I don't know what to say,’ Martina continued. ‘You’re insane. You know that, don’t you? I knew you liked me. I noticed how you would find an excuse to chat on bin days. But, fuck, I never realised you had such strong feelings for me.’

Cassie then heard some whispering then a laugh, she recognised the laugh as her mums. It was a sound she hadn’t heard in ages. Cassie then moved cautiously midway down the stairs to hear better. ‘I guess it’s not a bad idea...,’ Cassie heard her mum say, ‘but I’m not sure Cassie would approve...,’ another laugh. ‘I’m available this Saturday...no, it’s fine...eight pm it is.’ A date? Thought Cassie. Mum's going out with the neighbour? Fucking hell, she thought, mum’s actually doing this! Cassie was literally shocked.

After Cassie was sure the neighbour had left, she steamed into the living room. ‘Mum, what the fuck! You’re seriously going on a date with {{obj}}? You barely know them. This is crazy. You know that, don’t you?’ Martina turned around, with a wide smile plastered on her face. ‘I thought you were eavesdropping. So what do you think? They’re generous and not bad looking. A meal at Caribbean Croft isn’t something to turn down, is it?’ Martina winked at Cassie, enjoying her daughter's surprised expression. ‘Mum, I do you think they will want to. You know? I mean, it’s a date, isn’t it.’ Cassie asked. ‘Of course they will, I’m not that naive, am I?’ Martina replied with her self-enhancing humour. ‘Look, bab, I’m a grown woman who’s put up with so much shit in recent years. I know you care, and no doubt have your opinion on the date, but this is a chance to have some fun for once.’ Martina put a finger to her daughter’s lips. ‘Shush, bab. I know what I’m doing, even if I’m out of practice. Besides, they’re nice, a rarity around here.’

Cassie knew there wasn’t much to add. ‘Saturday night,’ Cassie singsonged. ‘You'll need something that doesn’t smell of florist bucket water. Can I do your make-up? Please? I’ve got that gold highlighter that looks banging on dark skin.’ Martina exhaled, half-laugh, half-sob. ‘Yeah, all right. But no spider lashes. I've still got to eat curry, not filter it out my teeth.’ Cassie bounced up, already plotting. ‘Deal. But I want details after. Proper details. None of your usual evasiveness.’ Martina lifted an eyebrow. ‘We’ll negotiate, bab. Now go away. I've got to Google “how to act on a date when you haven’t been on one since before Spotify existed”.’