Stories To Be Told

chapter five

That week, Kat brought me around to her favorite places in the city. We successfully used up two disposable cameras. I learned to love London, even if it was terrifying to walk around after dark. Kat brought me to the best bookstores, coffee shops, diners, and music stores. She said she didn't even like coffee all that much, but the people there were very nice. In the second week I was in England, she took me in to meet Barb, the owner of Wire Coffee.

We went through the door, making the bell above it ring. It was a comfy little cafe, with a few tables, flowery wallpaper, some couches, and a large assortment of baked goods in a glass case that also served as a counter. Behind the counter, I could see two different chalk boards hanging on the wall. Written on them were the various items of the menu. Being the middle of the day, it was pretty empty other than some students sitting around with books. A middle-aged woman with a black apron stood behind the counter. Her face brightened when she saw me and Kat.

"Kat!" she said, "I haven't seen you in here all week!"

"Hey, Barb. This is Eleanor. She's staying with us for the summer," smiled Kat.

"Hello Eleanor. Ever heard the song 'Eleanor Rigby'?" she asked me.

I smiled. "My parents named me after it, actually. My last name is even Rigby."

"Oh! Well, Ms. Eleanor Rigby, because this is your first time here and I like your name, I'm going to give you your first cuppa free."

"You don't have to do that. I can pay," I said.

It was like she didn't even hear my argument. She started to move around behind the counter, preparing a "cuppa", something I had learned to be tea. In no time, she handed me a small cup. I took a sip. It was better than I was expecting.

Barb raised her eyebrows in question.

"It's great," I said, smiling.

"Barb is the single best chef I know. She makes everything from scratch," said Kat, obviously proud of her friend.

"You make these?" I pointed at the perfectly frosted cookies in the glass case.

"Yep." Barb smiled ear-to-ear. "If you guys want to sit down and have a real conversation, I'll be over in a minute. Let me just take care of this customer." An elderly man stood waiting patiently to order.

"Sure," Kat said.

We walked to an empty table and sat down. I was still drinking my cuppa, and greatly enjoying it.

"So, how are you?" asked Kat. She checked in with me every day to see how I was doing.

"You know, I'm good. I really like it here, and I've had a surprisingly good time so far."

She nodded. "I'm glad. And Dan is still nice to you? Or is he too nice? I've noticed you two getting comfy," she said nonchalantly, though her eyes narrowed.

I coughed on my drink. "No! No. I barely know him?"

"Yeah, but why do you spend so much time in his room? It's gross in there."

"He cleaned it up for me the first night. And we play with each other."

"Excuse me? Please tell me 'play' doesn't mean what I think it does."

My eyes went wide when I realized what she thought I meant. "We play music with each other! Nothing weird! What the fuck, man?!" I shook my head vigorously. Oh my god. Oh my god. Oh my god. Oh my god.

"Okay, good. I am so sorry for thinking that. I don't know why I even thought that. Oh my god. Let's pretend like the last minute never happened, yeah?"