Coffee Beans

A Tiny Little Shop

The coffee shop was surprisingly quiet considering it was a Saturday. Normally the weekend business men would queue out of the door for a freshly ground coffee, leading into the raid of yummy mummies and their crying, giggling children. The afternoon would then simmer down to a couple of elderly people and their friends, with the odd youth showing their face because it was cheaper to come here than Starbucks. Ellie turned off the bean grinder and took a cloth out from behind the sink tap. It was naïve to close up just because business had been slow so the only form of entertainment left was to clean, clean and clean.

After wiping down half of the tables and chairs, Ellie stretched out her back and re-tied her hair into a tighter ponytail. She looked over at the clock hanging beside the list of coffees and sighed; half an hour left before closing time. Minute after minute ticked by. Luckily it wasn't the only sound to be heard as the muffled roar of traffic outside leaked into the shop, merging with the indie rock playing from speakers in each corner of the tiny establishment. Ellie glanced up at the clock again. Five minutes left. The lights automatically dimmed and she packed away the day's baked goods into separate containers. They'd be going to the homeless shelter in the morning. Next on the list was the newspapers and magazines from the week; they went into the recycling with a satisfying kaput.

She got out various tubs and bottles ready to clean the coffee machine when the bell rang, alerting her to someone coming into the shop. Taking a quick look up at the clock, she sighed with relief. It was finally closing time. A minute after actually. 

"I'm sorry but we're closing now," she said, trying not to beam from ear to ear.

"I'm so sorry to barge in but I could really do with a triple espresso. Or something equally as strong," said a voice behind her.

Ellie took a deep breath and prepared to battle with, what was obviously going to be, a challenging customer. "I really am sorry, but we just can't stay open," she said, turning round to face the stubborn coffee-seeker.

Unfortunately, Ellie was unprepared for the tear-stained face that she was met with. The young woman looking similar to her age was drenched from head to toe, her long blonde hair dripping onto the floor. "Is it raining outside?" 

The young woman looked puzzled as Ellie put a hand to her forehead. "Sorry, it just popped out."

"It's ok, I understand," the young woman said slowly. "I'm guessing I should leave then?" She pointed over her shoulder. 

Ellie paused for a moment and then shook her head.

"Don't be ridiculous. What would you like to drink?" She turned the coffee machine back on and grabbed a tea towel from a cupboard under the counter. "You might want to dry off a bit, or at least get some of it out of your hair." Ellie sat down on one of the sofas and invited the other woman to join her, smiling as much as she could in the strange situation.

A/N: Hopefully I'll be able to update this once a week (minimum). Let me know what you think in the comments below and enjoy :)