Helen and Troy , a brand new story

Helen and Troy ©

By 

Michael Casey

Helen was the wrong side of thirty by three months three weeks and three days, not that she was counting. Life seemed to have passed her by

But nobody had noticed her as she stood behind the counter in the local store. She was just a figure of fun with her jam jar glasses. To be mocked at behind her back. But at least she did have one good friend. And one is all you need. He was Troy, tall and handsome and the wrong side of camp, if only he wasn’t so, well you know. She’d throw caution to the wind and and you know. But she never told him that. He was a friend, a dear and good friend, who bought Men’s Health and Martial Arts magazines if you know what I mean, he even tried to teach her Japanese.

Then one day, it happened. The sun was blotted out as a man, a real MAN, a Japanese man appeared, he wanted a stamp to send a postcard to his 90 year old grannie. And why was the sun blotted out as he entered the store. He was a Martial Arts Master. He wasn’t very tall but must have been a yard wide. If you toss and throw all your life your chest is that big.  YOUR CHEST IS THAT BIG. Helen mumbled as she saw him. It was Lust at first sight. Dan the Japanese man looked up, he was a Nineth Dan at least in Judo. He could fling anybody. Helen groaned inwardly, she Highland Fling with Him. Any day of the week and twice on Sunday.

Troy said a few words in Japanese so the DAN, DAN< DAN, nine times Dan, Helen’s imagination was exploding. So, Dan turned to Helen and asked. You speak Japanese. Helen said the one word she knew. Origami. Then Dan looked up at her and saw her twinkle, it was enough. Acupuncture he replied. Her twinkle had pierced his heart.

Troy looked on, his bestie had finally found true love. Or lust or love love or lust but it was DAN DAN DAN, nine times Dan. He could feel the electricity in the air.

I’m at the martial art exhibition up the road said Dan, nine times over. Helen just moaned, Dan held out his hand to shake her hand. Helen shook his hand and fainted. It was too much, the wrong side of thirty and now this, how could he want to hold her hand. Dan took her glasses off and combed her hair from her eyes. She squeeled like a pig, but without lipstick.  Troy squeeled too, his bestie had finally found true love.

But in life there are always bastards. BASTARDS. The local bad boy who always slapped down his cash for his fags appeared. Mocking Helen as usual. Jam Jars he called her. But now , but now.  Terry would get his reward. You no make fun of her, said Dan looking up. Terry mocked he didn’t notice just how big Dan was as he was hunched over Helen.

You no mock her Dan said as he got up. Terry was a big bully but now, Dan would jingle his bells. 

Dan stood up and picked Terry up with one hand and shook him like a rag doll. Helen is a very pretty girl, Dan said. As he shook Terry. Helen awoke to see Dan shaking Terry like a salt seller. Helen bit her lip. Dan fighting for her honour. She cried with happiness. Dan mistook this for pain because of Terry , so Dan stroked the tears away with his free hand while continuing to shake Terry. Helen was in LOVE, Dan was the Man for Her.

 

Then Dan walked outside and put Terry in the fountain in the square, telling him to cool off. Helen could not contain herself. She leapt and smothered Dan in kisses, saving none for anybody, she did have a yellow ribbon in her hair. Dan said, I thought English people were reserved. Yes but this is Old Forge and Singing Anvil in the Black Country home of The Butcher The Baker and The Undertaker by Michael Casey, and here we strike while the iron is hot. And I’m Helen and you’ve been a Trojan.