What's She Doing Here?

She walked into the shed and all eyes turned onto her, though not because she was gorgeous or because she made a soundly entrance, no; it was because she was female. Leah Goldstem stood at the bold yellow line of the workshop, awkwardly silent as the clanging of tools suddenly came to a halt.

“I think you’re in the wrong place love” the head mechanic Dave’s deep voice boomed across the room, he had a jeering look, as he looked her up and down. Leah glanced across the room at him in response “No I’m the new mechanic, Leah.” Dave started bursting out with laughter, tears started streaming down his face; this had to be a joke, within seconds all the men in the workshop joined in. Leah felt the blood rushing to her face, and immediately Dave knew she wouldn't last two minutes in this place.

“Well don’t just stand there sweetheart, make yourself useful” Kevin piped up from behind an old land cruiser ute, he was looking forward to the entertainment Lara would bring, the place was getting a little boring for his liking. Lara silently nodded and carried her toolbox and ambled to the empty space in the dusty old shed. Larry, the resident sleazebag, sauntered up behind her, grabbing her behind in the process. She jumped, swinging around to come face to face with shaggy blonde hair and a grease covered face. “Don’t worry babe, I don’t bite, hard,” he whispered, with a wink, Lara wanted to vomit; the normally brash twenty-two year old was stunned silent by the treatment she was receiving. Her friends had told her she’d be fine at her new job at Joe’s Mechanics, but Lara wasn’t so sure now.

“That one’s your job love,” Dave pointed to a rusty beaten down sedan, sitting in a pile of dust in the corner. He knew it was a hard job, all the boys ha...

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... it’s about time I got rid of you instead.” Both Larry and Lara’s head snapped up in surprise at Dave’s words, didn’t Dave hate Lara? “What? So she’s not just a pretty face, she’s certainly worthy of acceptance if she can stand up to you Larry” he shrugged. Larry swore, and without saying another word, grabbed his toolbag and angrily stormed out of the workshop. “Guess that means you’re here to stay girl” Dave nodded at Lara, as she stood awkwardly, shocked at the events that had transpired. “Does this mean she doesn’t get the crappy jobs anymore?” Kevin said from behind Dave, Lara looked hopeful at Dave, she was a bit sick of the old rusty cars. “No Kev, I’m not going to listen to your whinging all day” he chuckled, the rest of the group joined in as Lara sighed with relief. It had taken one act of violence for them to see her as an equal, but it had been worth it.