THE DEPRIVED...Chapter two...Part2.

A continuation of my book.

Mary had returned home and set about making herself look as presentable as she could.
“Are you going out?” asked Beth, watching as her mother dressed.
“Yes Beth. I’m hoping to get some work and I want you to take care of Sam while I’m gone.”
“Will you be working till late?”
“I will if I get the job, Beth. I might be working till the early morning, depending on what time the place shuts.”
“What are you going to be working at, Mammy?”
Mary hesitated. She had not thought of what to say if her children asked about the job.
“I’ll be selling flowers at a public house.” she lied. “But then I might not get the job.” she added hurriedly.
Beth kissed her mother impetuously, wishing her all good luck while Sam turned his back and lifting the curtain stared silently out of the window into the night.

The evening was a pale grey with a wind that gusted round the corners of houses as it caught walkers by surprise and pushed them along. It worked the same way with those who made their way to the Seven Bells public house as the wind gathered behind them, pushing them through the doors. Mary entered and stood rather timidly as the gaslights framed her entrance in a pale of yellow glow. The music from an old piano sounded above the noise of the clientele and Mary stood rooted to the spot, uncertain of what to do next.  Suddenly she was almost pulled off her feet as a drunken man grabbed her arm, trying to pull her to a table. Mary cried out in alarm as she wrenched her arm away.
“What are you doing here if you aint wanting to earn a penny or two!” the man shouted drunkenly.
Other men joined in, laughing drunkenly and edging the man on. Grabbing her around the waist, the man fought to kiss her lips. Mary fought back but felt powerless as the man crushed her to him. He was powerfully built with strong hands and Mary began to grow weak, crying out with pain as the arms crushed even harder. Suddenly Mary heard a loud crack, like a pistol going off and the man seemed to slip away from view as he crumpled to the floor. Mary leaned against the wall, trying to regain her breath and then felt a hand on her elbow which gently led her to a seat.
“Please take a seat.” said a quiet voice.
The voice hardened.
“Get him out of here!” said the voice.
Two large men came quickly forward and lifted the man between them, half carrying and half walking the man to the door before pushing him out into the street and closing the door before making their way back to the bar. Mary looked up at the man who stood beside her. In his hand he held a large rubber cosh.
“My name is Danny Bunser.” he introduced himself, at the same time slipping the cosh into the inside pocket of his long coat.
“May I have your name?”
“Mary.”
He was not overly tall, medium-sized with a slim build though his face, which bore a long thin scar from the left ear to his chin, was rather handsome. He smiled now, self-assured as he sat beside Mary.
“Are you alright?” he asked.
Mary nodded, not knowing what to say to the man and feeling rather shy. He snapped his fingers and one of the men who had thrown the bully out came from the bar.
“Get the lady a brandy.” he ordered.
Mary still said nothing and when the man came back from the bar, it was Danny Bunser who took the drink and held the glass up to Mary’s lips.
“Drink it.” he said gently.
Mary took the glass and drank, the brandy burning her throat as it went down.
“I can’t afford to pay for it.” said Mary faintly.
“You don’t have to.” replied Danny and once more he signalled to one of the men at the bar to come over.
“Find that ruffian you threw out and tell him he has just bought the lady a drink of brandy as an apology and I want the money from him for the drink. If he refuses then take all he has.” he finished.
Mary sensed the danger in this man, the quiet way he spoke and the threat behind the words.
“Please.” said Mary, starting to rise. “I don’t wish to cause any trouble.”
“No. Please sit down. You are no trouble. Just sit and tell me what you are doing here on your own. Obviously, you are not a woman who frequents a place like this.” said Danny as he took her elbow and made her sit down again.
The man who had gone outside now returned and put a shilling on the table in front of Danny. Danny pushed the coin over to Mary.
“There.” he said. “That man has bought you a drink for causing you harm and also given compensation.”
Mary felt the brandy warming her, making her light-headed and also giving a boost of confidence so that she now smiled and thanked him.
“Now tell me what you are doing here?” Danny asked.
“Old Nellie told me to come and see you.” began Mary.
“That old trout!” exclaimed Danny. “I thought she was kicking up the daisies a long time ago!”
“No! She’s still alive.” laughed Mary.
“Then what did you want to see me about?”
“I wanted a job, working here.” replied Mary and now unsure because Danny’s face became suddenly grave.
“Somehow.” he said. “I don’t think working here will suit you. My girls are tough old birds who know how to handle men, especially drunks.”
Mary nodded. She realised she had no idea how to handle drunks or those who wanted more than she was able to give.
She rose from the table.
“I’m so sorry. Of course you are right and I’ve wasted your time.”