Free Her Hero by Helen McNeil Page B

decade, she noted while Sheila went to work on her Mocha.
                  “No. Got sent on an errand. Just thought I would use the opportunity to get a coffee.” Stacy clarified because she had stepped out of her usual, one in the morning, two for lunch and sometimes, one for the road home. God she really should cut back on the caffeine, she thought while waiting at the counter.
                  “We have those croissants you like. Shall I just go right ahead and pack one too?” Sheila asked tongs at the ready.
                  “Oh emmm,” Option one was to stick to her guns and feel empowered but with no one to notice her discipline, what was the point. “What the hell. You’ve persuaded me.”
                  Stacy reached into her wallet and came up empty. Brows furrowed she started pulling the contents of her Vera out onto the counter, becoming more frantic as she found the lining.
                  “I’ve been robbed!” Stacy practically screamed.
    Anonymous faces started turning towards her but she didn’t care.
                  “Call the police.” Looking up at Sheila she found her coffee friend looking worried but without the panic she expected.
                  “Well if you really...” She had hesitated just too long for Stacy’s liking. Why wasn’t she grasping the enormity of the theft.
                  “What?” Stacy asked incredulous, at her lack of panic.
                  “Well it’s just, that I can’t help but notice..., you have all your, cards, and emm your mobile and even your passport still.” She looked so sheepish as Stacy started to see the individual items among the receipts, packets of chewing gum and Tampax, across the counter. “It’s just that surely they would have taken. Only, maybe you forgot, or mislaid...”  Sheila left the sentence there as Stacy started to realise the ridiculousness of her assumptions.
                  Suddenly she remembered her late night trip to the bazar and the contents, that currently sat untouched in a box in her room.
                  Feeling the heat flare into her cheeks, she wasn’t sure how to salvage the situation. People were still looking. Stacy thought about the best response, option A; Laugh and say ‘oh yes what a ditz, now I remember I gave all my money to a charity collector this morning. Option B; Stick to the whole robbery thing but state clearly that she had left her wallet on her desk, so it must be that co-worker with the halitosis next to her. Option C. Tell the truth and then switch it.
                  Scrap option C, it’s not really an option she knew. Just as Stacy was mulling between A and B a hand reached around and laid down twenty.
                  “A double espresso and what ever she is having that is causing this maddening delay.” A rich and deep voice fused into the warm air that heated her back. Stacy could almost feel the heatwave steaming off the arm when it retreated from around her.
                  She turned to find darkness engulf her. She had to step back, pressing her back into the counter, just to look up to a steely face that was hidden behind stubble but the eyes were cold, despite there rich gold colour. The man didn’t actually make eye contact. Instead he watched impatiently as his coffee was made allowing Stacy to study his form.
                  He wore a waist coat, who did that anymore she mulled, despite the acknowledgment that he suited it. His shirt sleeves were rolled up and he looked rumpled and tired but he refused to give in. His frame stood rigid in defiance and Stacy knew his bum would be like steel. The thought drew her eyes down legs impossible to define through almost casual trousers. Yet the shoes were all business, she noticed getting more curious as the contradictions enticed her