Free A Daughter's Choice by June Francis

and then unexpectedly caught her by the waist and swung her out of the way. ‘But he wants to fight me,’ he said. ‘And I’m not chickening out.’
    â€˜But I’ll be in deep trouble if I don’t get home soon,’ she said, struggling to free herself, but he was strong and that gave her a thrill.
    â€˜Where’s home?’ he said, breath fragrant with chewing gum.
    â€˜That’s none of your business!’ yelled Dougie in a fury as he attempted to drag her out of Patrick’s grasp. The next moment Katie was on the ground and the two youths were trading punches.
    Katie got to her feet, rubbing her hip and glancing round. She noticed that Eileen had vanished and wondered what to do next, then decided there was nothing she
could
do. So she watched the fight, eyes sparkling. She really didn’t want the two of them to hurt each other, but what girl wouldn’t find a certain amount of pleasure in the sight of two fellas grappling over her? Because she felt sure
she
was what this was all about.
    Then a voice spoke and spoilt all her pleasure. ‘Katie, you’re not going to be allowed out for a week after this! Ma’ll have your life!’
    â€˜Oh, hell!’ she muttered, facing Ben and catching sight of Eileen at his side.
    â€˜He’s the one causing all the trouble,’ said the Irish girl, pointing at Patrick. ‘Be careful, Ben, he might have a bicycle chain under his collar.’
    â€˜Don’t be daft!’ cried Katie, gazing at her in astonishment. ‘He’s not that kind of bloke. It’s an act.’
    But Ben had made his move and, seizing the pugilists by the back of their collars, forced them apart. For a moment their arms still flailed as their feet sought a securer hold on the pavement. ‘You bloody onions!’ shouted Ben. ‘Think you’re tough, do you? I’ll show you what tough is! Turning the other cheek and walking away. Now shake hands and act like gentlemen.’
    â€˜You’re jokin’!’ said Dougie, managing to tug himself free. ‘He was trying to pinch my girl.’
    â€˜One date does not make me your girl! So
you
can go home,’ said Katie, incensed. She turned on Ben. ‘Did you come looking for me?’
    â€˜What do you think?’ he said.
    â€˜Oh!’ she groaned. ‘Why can’t you accept I’m grown up?’
    â€˜Because you’re not,’ said Ben, throwing his arms up in the air. ‘Doesn’t what’s just happened prove it?’
    Patrick combed back his hair and stepped forward. ‘It wasn’t her fault.’
    â€˜I can believe that,’ said Ben, shaking his head as he looked down at him. Dougie had made his exit. ‘But the last thing she needs is someone like you around. Now, hop it.’
    â€˜Ben!’ cried Katie, seizing his arm. ‘He didn’t do anything. It was –’
    â€˜Go on, blame Dougie,’ said Eileen promptly. ‘You know you were flirting with this other fella.’
    Katie was flabbergasted. What had got into her? She stared helplessly at Patrick, who gave her a twisted smile. ‘I wish it was true and you
had
been flirting with me.’
    â€˜Leave it, Patrick,’ called Bernie, who was standing a few yards away, huddled into her coat, ‘We’d best be going. You’re going to get in trouble as it is with the state your jacket’s in.’
    He nodded but faced Katie once more with his hands firmly wedged in his pockets. ‘Sorry, love. I didn’t mean for it to get out of hand.’
    She smiled. ‘I know. Perhaps some other time … I live at the Arcadia Hotel.’
    â€˜See you around then.’ He returned her smile and walked away.
    Katie sighed.
    Eileen said, ‘Thank God for that.
He’s
trouble.’
    Katie turned on her and hissed, ‘And what do you know about anything, coming from the backwoods of Ireland? I’m