While you were Sleeping

24. Here for a good time

Juliana's morning had been... interesting. She had groaned when she remembered Barbara would be her companion for the early shift but it hadn't been too bad, Barbara had already learned the morning routine and they had worked well together. As usual, there was the odd stare or comment that had Juliana feeling on edge but Barbara had been fairly 'normal'.

Juliana had spent a lot of time avoiding Barbara over the last week, and she was only now realising that she didn't really know anything about her. She thought about starting a conversation, maybe asking a few questions, but she suspected Barbara would see it as an opportunity to get information from her too. But wasn't that how conversations worked? A transaction where you have to give something to get something.

"Do you mind if I take a break?" Barbara asked, pulling Juliana from her thoughts. The older woman winced as she straightened up from the dishwasher, her hands pushing into the small of her back.

"Huh? Yeah of course, are you okay?" Juliana asked concerned.

"Yes chica, don't worry, I just need to sit down for a while."

Juliana watched curiously as Barbara slowly made her way around the counter to a free table. The café was quiet with only one other customer so it was probably the best time to take a break. "Do you want a coffee?"

Barbara sighed as she sat down, the relief on her face clearly visible. "That would be fantastic, thank you."

Juliana quickly made the coffee, including one for herself, before joining Barbara at the table. She smiled at the look of surprise on Barbara's face as she sat opposite her and slid the coffee cup towards her. "Everything okay?" Barbara nodded slowly, a look of suspicion on her face. Juliana grinned as she lifted her cup to her lips, it was Barbara who seemed uncomfortable now and she was secretly thrilled. "It's quiet so I thought I would join you, is that okay?"

Barbara nodded again but her eyes narrowed, clearly unsure of what was happening. "You seem different. Happy with yourself," she looked into her coffee cup, "is this safe to drink?"

Juliana almost spilt her coffee as she choked out a laugh. "What? Do you think I'd poison you?"

"Well... you may think that I'm the weird one but you're the one acting strange."

Juliana smiled again. "Do you want me to leave?" she asked, pointing back towards the counter.

"NO!" Barbara answered quickly. "I'm just curious, would you like to explain this sudden change?"

Juliana shrugged. "It's quiet so I thought I would join you. You looked like you were in pain, are you okay? Did you hurt your back?" she asked, lifting her cup to her lips.

"Oh, you know, just an old bungee jumping injury that flares up now and again," she smiled.

Juliana nodded along; she liked this sarky version of Barbara. "Dangerous pastime."

"You've no idea!" Barbara laughed. "You'd probably be shocked at what I've gotten up to over the years!" She met Juliana's gaze. "Bungee jumping is child's play!"

Juliana laughed. "Would you like to explain?" she threw Barbara's words back at her.

"When you get to my age, Juliana, scars, wrinkles, aches and pains, they're all good things! They prove you've lived, life is about taking chances, doing what makes you happy. And as the saying goes, 'We're here for a good time, not for a long time."

"So wise!"

"Don't be a smart ass! What is going on with you?" she narrowed her eyes again. "You're like a different person! I was starting to enjoy the panicked look on your face every time you saw me and now, you're sitting opposite me, talking to me while having a coffee!"