Taking Charge (2 page)

Michael walked in.
“Hey babe!” Joy shook her head.
“Do I look like a little porky pig?” Michael grinned and pointed
his finger at her.
“Your mother will hear about your backchat!” A couple walked
in.
“Michael stop harassing your sister.” Michael grinned.
“She picked on me!”
“You called me babe.”
“But I like the terminology.”
“Pick on someone your own size.” Michael roared with laughter.
Shane walked through.
“Hey poppet. Couldn’t you get your bike any closer?” Joy shook her
head. Michael grinned.
“My bike. Is parked over the road. If my bike is this side of the
road. DNA will be collected!” Joy got up and walked to the door of
the pub.
“Shane!” They all roared with laughter. Joy’s bike had been parked
literally on the doorstep. Shane grinned. Joy shook her head.
“Dad. You need to take these two and sort them out!” Roland roared
with laughter. Quartz grinned. She shook her head.
“Only because they love you sweetheart.” Joy groaned.

Tanya smiled and whispered.
“Doctors and a Professor. Yikes!” Zeba smiled and nodded.
“You have a qualification.”
“Yes. But not like that!” They all grinned.

“
Okay so what is the plan for today?” Joy
nodded.
“We eat. You kiss me goodbye. You take Graham, Michael and Shane
and you drive off in to the sunset.” Michael roared with
laughter.
“The sun has just risen Prof.”
“Michael will you please not call me that. I have a name.” Michael
grinned.
“Right. Now for your information.” Joy looked at Michael. Graham
walked in.
“Prof. Why is your bike parked the other end of the other bikes?”
Joy got up and looked out of the door and sighed. She turned around
and walked back.
“Graham that is my seat you are sitting in. And that is my
breakfast!” Graham grinned.
“As the oldest son in this family I have rights.” Joy rolled her
eyes and let out a loud groan. She walked over to Tanya.
“May I?” Tanya grinned.
“Sure.” Joy put her hands on the chair. Graham quickly got
up.
“Now now. We do not want a brawl. If you lift that chair and crash
it over my head.” Joy shook her head.
“Graham grab a chair. Preferably that side of the table.”
“But Prof.!”

Tanya grinned as she looked at everyone.
Quartz smiled.
“Sorry folks. A bit disruptive I know.” Michael nodded.
“The Prof. is the disruption.” Joy sat down.
“Michael eat.”
“I don’t have food.” She pointed.
“You see that queue?” Michael turned.
“Join it!” Quartz grinned.
“How come you already have food?” Roland grinned.
“Michael we all get off of the bikes. We walk in. Where were you
gaddying about?” Michael grinned. Joy nodded.
“If my bike is moved one more time.” They all looked up as another
gent walked in.
“Prof. What is your bike doing in the middle of the road?” Joy got
up. She walked to the door and walked straight out. They all heard
the hum of the motor bike start up. Joy moved her motor bike back
to her parking space and walked back in to the pub. She sat down
again and looked at her plate. It was gone. Her breakfast had
vanished. She closed her eyes and started to laugh.
“This is not funny!” She got up. Graham was busy eating his
breakfast.

She walked to the plates and took one. She
walked right to the front of the queue. Doctor Tate grinned.
“Come on sweet pea.” She dished up another plate and walked back to
her seat.
“You pushed in!”
“No. I had an invitation. Big difference!” Michael shook his
head.
“So what was the plan?” Roland smiled.
“After breakfast we are heading straight out. We will stop for
lunch on the way. We will make it home just in time.” Graham
nodded.
“In time for what? Joy have you got bangers on that plate of
yours?” Joy shook her head.
“No!”
“Pity.” Roland shook his head.
“Then we will be in time.” Graham nodded.
“In time for what?” Quartz rolled her eyes.
“So that we are not on the road in the dark.”
“Ohhhhhh!” Joy smiled and shook her head. Shane nodded.
“And you are staying?” Joy nodded.
“I am staying.”
“Right. Here?” Joy nodded.
“Right here. You can e-Mail me. And no spam and do not send me
those stupid jokes.”
“Those jokes are not stupid. They are hilarious!”
“What is funny about a man sitting on a toilet?”
“Did you read the toilet paper?”
“Who reads the toilet paper?” Joy shook her head.
“Who writes on toilet paper? Oh don’t answer that Shane! Do not
answer that!” Shane grinned. They all roared with laughter. Joy
grinned.
“Okay it was funny. But don’t send me nonsense.”

Graham grinned.
“We will form a fan club and send you e-Mails.” Joy grinned.
“Graham. Have you got Feta on your plate?”
“Yes and I hate the stuff!” He put it on a little plate and they
passed it down to Joy.
“Why do you have Feta on your plate?”
“I found it there.” Joy shook her head.
“Did you enjoy my breakfast which I handpicked for myself?” Graham
nodded.
“I certainly did. And the little sausages were nice too. You have
rather a good sense of taste. But not the Feta.”
“You have no class.”
“I have class. I ate that stuff you gave me last time. The nice
white cheese in. Oh pass me some of that Feta!” Joy grinned as she
took a few blocks and the Feta cheese travelled back to
Graham.

Joy looked up as Emery walked in.
“Yo Prof.!” Emery grinned.
“Prof. why is your bike standing in the middle of the road?” Joy
closed her eyes and shook her head.
“I like it there.” Emery nodded.
“Well the coppers like it too. And they are writing you a ticket.”
Joy shook her head. Joy carried on eating her breakfast and Roland
got up and walked to the front door. He grinned. There were police
at the bike. But they were admiring it and not writing a ticket. He
walked out. He smiled as he moved Joy’s bike back to where it was
originally parked. They all chuckled. Bruce chuckled.
“I have been watching them move this bike about. Are they pulling a
prank?” Roland nodded.
“Continuous!” They all grinned as he walked back inside.

Everyone finished their breakfast. They
all walked out. Joy hugged her parents and family. Quartz smiled
and kissed her.
“We love you honey.” Joy smiled.
“Love you Mum.” She stood on the side of the road and climbed on
her Harley and put her helmet on. Everyone hooted and waved as they
left. Joy started her bike and headed to town. There were a few
things that she needed to do.

Tanya grinned. Jordan came and took a seat
with the family.
“Did you hear any of that?” Jordan smiled.
“Oh I heard a tiny bit. Saw her breakfast getting little legs. So
was that her family or?” Tanya nodded.
“The three brothers and herself. And her Mum and Dad. Jordan those
are all Doctors and really learned people. They are really
educated.” Jordan smiled.
“Did you see the bikes they were riding? Those are all worth quite
a bit.” Tanya pointed.
“Oh heck! She left something.” Jordan walked over. He picked up the
card and flipped it over.
“Professor J Sheridan. It must be her credit card. Gold?” Tanya
smiled.
“You can leave it at the bank and she will probably report it and
she can collect it there or they can send it to her branch.” Jordan
nodded.
“I could.” Tanya giggled.
“Did you hear how they kept moving her bike?” Lloyd grinned and
nodded.
“Up and down. They seem to kid with her all the time.” Zeba smiled
and nodded.

Craig walked over.
“Did you see a card lying anywhere here?” Jordan nodded.
“This one?” Craig smiled.
“The lady came to fetch it.” Jordan got up and walked to the front
of the pub.
“Hi.” Joy smiled. She spoke softly.
“Hi. Thanks. I was a bit worried about that.” Jordan smiled and
looked at her and handed her the card. He also spoke softly.
“I know you.”
“Never been here before.” He nodded.
“Take that hand out of that glove.”
“Undress in front of you? I don’t think so.” Jordan smiled.
“Thanks for last night.” She winked and walked out.
“Never been here before.”
“I know you were under cover.” She chuckled.
“Now I am an agent. Heavens alive!” Jordan grinned.
“Come on. Put me out of my misery. Tell me it was you.” Joy walked
up to Jordan.
“And if it was. Which it wasn’t. What you gunno dooooo?” Jordan
smiled.
“Oh lend me some sugar. I am your neighbor!”
“Ha! Shake it. Shake it. Like a polaroid picture!” Jordan roared
with laughter as they both sang the lyrics to the song.
“You are good.” Joy smiled.
“It definitely wasn’t me.” Jordan smiled and nodded. He spoke so
quiet so that no one would hear.
“Why don’t you want anyone to know?” Joy smiled and shook her head.
Jordan smiled.
“I am Jordan. By the way. Nice to meet you Professor Sheridan.” Joy
whispered.
“Just Joy. Please don’t mention the Professor bit.” Jordan spoke
softly so no one could hear.
“Why?”
“It complicates matters.” Jordan smiled.
“Nice to meet you.” He put out his hand. She put her hand in
his.
“You can come as a blonde or a brunette. But come. On Friday or
Saturday. Please. Please come.” Joy smiled.

“
I have so much to do. I don’t even have
anywhere to sleep for the night. Honestly. I have to get
organized.” Jordan nodded.
“Come on Friday. Saturday. I am open every single day. Every single
night. Come. Come when you are ready.” Joy smiled. They were still
holding hands.
“You own Jordan’s?” Jordan nodded.
“I do.” Joy smiled.
“I’ll come. Some time. But I need to keep a low profile.”
“Why?”
“Because this town isn’t ready for me yet.” Jordan smiled.
“But I am.” Joy smiled.
“Jordan. I am different.”
“I know you are.” Joy smiled.
“When I need a job I might be on your doorstep.” Jordan
smiled.
“Are you that worried?” Joy sighed.
“I am. I shouldn’t be. But I am.”
“No need to be. Where are you going to work?” Joy whispered.
“I am your new school Principal. Don’t tell a soul!”
“Serious?” She nodded.
“I have to go. I need a haircut.” Jordan looked at her hair. She
wore it short.
“Looks fine to me.” She shook her head.
“I have a plan.” He smiled.
“Okay. I lock up at nine tonight. Come and have a cup of coffee.”
Joy looked at Jordan.
“Nine? Is there a back door?” Jordan nodded.
“You can park at the back. I will open up for you.” Joy
smiled.
“See you.”
“Are you going to come?”
“Can I resist that invitation?” Jordan smiled. She slipped her hand
out of his. She smiled and walked off.

Jordan watched as she walked off. She
turned and almost whispered.
“Bye.” Jordan smiled.
“Bye.” She smiled and climbed on to her bike and rode off towards
town. Jordan smiled as he watched her. She was lovely. She was
beautiful and she had a lovely figure. He smiled to himself. The
town was in for a huge shock if she was the new Principal. He
realized that she would have to be careful. She needed to get to
know the town folk first before she could be herself. He smiled as
he turned and walked back to the folks.

Tanya smiled.
“Isn’t she lovely? With that short hair. You wouldn’t think it
would be nice on a woman but it suits her.” Jordan smiled and
nodded. He sat down with everyone.
“Joy Sheridan.” Tanya nodded.
“But don’t call her Professor. She doesn’t seem to like it much. Or
there is a reason. I wonder what she is a Professor of? She doesn’t
look like a Professor. But then the other people. I heard the word
Doctor used many times this morning.” Jordan chuckled and
nodded.
“Did you take a look at the bikes?” They all nodded.
“All Harleys. That must be kind of a Harley club.” Jordan smiled
and nodded.
“All of them?” They all nodded. Dalton shook his head.
“There was a Triumph.” Anne nodded.
“But I like all the tassels and things.” They all nodded.
“And they all wear leathers. Trousers and jackets. Did you see
their boots?” Anne nodded.
“Really nice.” Tanya smiled.
“I would love to ride a bike. But one like that.” Zeba smiled and
nodded.
“A teacher on a motor bike. That would not set a very good example.
Would it?” Tanya smiled and nodded.
“I guess.”

Jordan sat and listened. Things were all
falling in to place. And the town was in for quite a shock. Their
Principal was a biker. Not just a biker. But she was outgoing and
fun. He wondered what they would all think of her. He knew she was
in for a tough time. A lot of the folk were rather old fashioned.
They had already been up in arms knowing that a woman was going to
take over as the Principal. Jordan smiled. Zeba looked at
Jordan.
“Now something triggered that smile.” Jordan chuckled and
nodded.
“I think today worked well.” Lloyd nodded.
“I think it did. Is there a good profit in the buffet?” Jordan
nodded.
“Some eat a little. Some eat a lot. It balances and evens things
out.” Tanya smiled.
“The Feta cheese. That was clever having cheese out.” Jordan
nodded.
“Did a small cheese table. Some people like that kind of thing.”
Anne nodded.
“We saw the Feta bit.” Tanya chuckled and shook her head.
“I wonder if she is the youngest or the oldest?” They all shook
their heads. Zeba smiled.
“She looks pretty young to me. Twenty one or two. Somewhere there.”
They all nodded.

The family soon left and
Jordan was on his own. He sat
for a while thinking of Joy. There was something about her that he
really liked. For the first time in his life he had looked at a
woman. When he held her hand he didn’t want to let go. He had felt
so good. She had done something to him. He felt excited. He felt
happy. A lot happier than he had been before. It wasn’t that he was
unhappy. But he felt different. He looked around the bar and
smiled. He got up and walked to the bar. He looked at all the
bottles behind the counter. He needed to get a few different things
in stock. Things that women would like. Everyone drank the hard
tack but a few bottles of different types of liqueurs would work.
He took the brochure from behind the counter and moved to one of
the tables and sat down.