Pushing through the door laden down with her weekly shop, Mavis waddled across to the nearest alcove. Time for a cuppa and teacake. The waitress looked across smiling, ”Your usual Mavis,” then nodded as she settled into the corner.
With her tea and teacake, she listened to the chatter from the other alcoves. Over the years she had heard so much local gossip which she shared with her close friends. Today would change everything.
In the next alcove male voices started to talk about a kidnap they were planning for that afternoon. Each was reciting their part of the plan, one driving the van, one with a hood to grab the professor outside the new wing where he lectured. Blind folds, plastic ties, the warehouse to make him sweat; laughing, they sounded elated.
Mavis spluttered in to her tea. What could she do? If she phoned the police the gang could come after her and kill her. She had seen that sort of thing on the television. Whimpering into a tissue, her mind was in a turmoil. The gang filed out of the cafe. They all looked dangerous. She pushed herself into the seat, her head down so they wouldn’t notice her.
Trembling, Mavis set her cup down. Oh my days, what can I do? Strolling past the window was the local police officer, looking in. Mavis waved to him; waving back, he passed on. Leaving her bags, Mavis bustled out, calling the young man.
Gabbling away, she made no sense. Trying to calm her, the officer made her take a deep breath. The story tumbled out and he tried to gauge the truth. He knew that she was prone to gossip, but had never made wild claims like now.
Contacting the station, he passed on the information, and from there things geared up. Then he took Mavis back into the cafe, asking the waitress to get her a sweet tea. He took her statement and that of the waitress.
Across town the armed unit piled in their van, racing off to the university. All in place, they waited for the kidnappers. As the professor walked out the gang struck, grabbing him, only to be surrounded by armed police. Face down, the men were handcuffed and taken to the station.
Long story short, the men were students, the kidnap was part of rag week!!
Mavis was told, and was shamefaced, wanting the ground to swallow her up. The young officer consoled her, making it plain it could have been a real kidnap so she had done the right thing. Putting her in a taxi home, he promised that her name would not be released .
