Katie's Cafe

First Chapter

How on Earth did I manage to forget to set my alarm to get me up for work this morning?

God I'm such an idiot sometimes. I suppose that's what I get for being out so late last night instead of heading straight home from work yesterday like I should have.

Not to mention that I've also managed to miss the train so I'll be even later, that's just great.

I hate the morning commute as it is, surrounded by all these people who don't even seem to notice that anyone else around them even exists.

Sometimes I sit back making up imaginary backstories for the other people on the train just to pass the time. Take the obvious fur covered cat lady three seats in front of me for example.

I think she's trained those cats of hers to commit jewellery heists under cover of darkness so she can fund her online shopping addiction.

Or the young man sat across from me with his huge guitar case ignorantly taking up a seat. In my mind there is no guitar in there, it's filled with drugs and he's on his way to make the deal of the century.

I suppose like the rest of life the fantasy can be much more interesting than the mundane reality of our own existence.

I quickly set off running as soon as the train comes to the next stop because I'm thirty minutes late at this point.

Hannah won't be happy because she hates it when I'm late and always makes a point of rolling her eyes at me knowing I can see her doing it.

From here it's obvious that she's already opened up without me, thank God. Why did I have to put on these stupid boots this morning when they're so painful to run in?

Finally pushing my way through the door it opens a little too quickly before knocking some poor random man's fresh hot coffee down the front of his clean white shirt.

"Oh my God! I'm so sorry!"

That was stupid of me.

"It's quite alright, honestly don't worry yourself," he answers back politely as though I haven't just scolded the hell out of him.

"Please let me help you clean yourself up and I'll get you another coffee on the house".

"You work here?"

"Yes, I do. I might even have a clean shirt in the back that will probably fit you too if that'll help?"

"Burning the customers now are we?" Hannah appears from behind the counter perfectly on cue.

"Yes, and now I'm assisting the customer if you don't mind, Hannah," I reply sarcastically because she really annoys me in the mornings with her youthful smugness.

"You really don't have to do that. I'm perfectly fine," the coffee stained customer adds.

"I insist. Come with me and I'll get you that clean shirt, sir," I smile politely.

I walk him through to the back room of the cafe where the staff normally go to get changed before and after their shifts.

Our only male barista, Callum, had quit suddenly last week and left a black shirt of his behind that's still back here somewhere.

"There you go," I hand it over to him.

"You're too kind".

"As long as you promise not to take legal action against me for my clumsiness then we can call it even, right?" I laugh nervously.

"It wasn't entirely your fault, my mind is all over the place today. I've just moved here and I start my new job in less than an hour so I wasn't paying enough attention".

For someone as slender looking as him, I quickly notice he sure does have a nice body under that coffee soaked shirt, but his poor chest is still red from where I knocked it all over him.

His hair is dark blond and swept back, but naturally curly. He wears expensive designer glasses too with his baby blue eyes hidden behind them. He also has just the perfect amount facial hair.

"So a new job in a new city that must be a bit stressful?" I ask out of curiosity while he puts the other shirt on with me trying not to stare too much.

"I was stuck in a rut where I was living before so to be honest I was happy for the change of scenery".

"Sounds like you've come to the right place then. Come on, I'll get you that coffee now".

I soon pour him a fresh cup to go, replacing the one I'd spilled so he can be on his way to work.

"Won't you get in some sort of trouble for giving away free coffee to a new customer?"

"Can I let you in on a little secret?" I whisper, leaning forward onto the counter.

"Go ahead," he laughs.

"I'm actually sleeping with the owner," I whisper again.

"Is that so?" he looks surprised but intrigued.

"Every single night I'm afraid," I sigh.

"Well I won't tell if you don't," he grins playfully.

"I'm rather good at keeping secrets. I guess I'll be seeing you around...?"

"Thomas or Tom if you prefer".

Should be easy enough to remember.

"Then I guess I'll see you around, Tom".

He leaves the cafe but looks back at me through the window, shooting a charming smile in my direction. Hannah seems to have noticed it and quickly comes over to me.

"Tell me you got that fit bloke's phone number!?"

"No don't be ridiculous. I was just being polite and so was he".

"Oh please. I've never known you so much as glance in a male customers direction before, never mind get their name".

"I didn't want to get taken to court for scolding the poor bloke. That's the last thing I need right now".

"I have to call bollocks on that one. You'd say anything rather than admit you like somebody".

"I don't even know him, we spoke for about two seconds. Like running this place doesn't keep me busy enough without worrying about men on top of that as well".

"Not to mention your busy nightlife. How did that go last night by the way?"

"Good. I managed to track down another one," I smirk.

"Where?" she asks.

"He was at some dingy, run down bar in town".

I hated going in places like that, but going there wasn't exactly optional for me these days.

"Are you sure? Did you actually see it?" she wants confirmation and I'm more than happy to give it to her.

"Clear as day".

"When are you going out again then?"

"Tonight. I'll remember to bring you something to eat afterwards, alright?"

"Just promise me you'll be careful?"

"I always am, aren't I?"