Brewed to Perfection

Part 19

The rest of the shift went by like normal. Well how 'normally' Benjamin and my conversation used to be before the whole milk fight thing.

The shop got busy for most of the late afternoon so we didn't even have time to send each other evil glares. When there was a lul in the store, there was so much to clean we didn't really get a second to breathe.

Jerry stayed in the back most of the afternoon, and only came around half an hour before we closed, to get Benjamin to do his final online training.

Jerry and I cleaned the machines and restocked the coffee beans, milk and cups before we all clocked off and headed home.

That night I swore to myself that I had dreamt the entire day. To be honest i wouldn't be surprised if I had imagined it all. It felt too surreal to be true. I checked my rota again, before going to bed. Benjamin and I weren't on shift again for another two weeks. I wouldn't see Lucifer for fourteen perfect days.

Two weeks seemed like a good amount of time to get some perspective on the whole ordeal and create some sort of plan of action. How was I going to act around him? Would I have the same huge balls I somehow managed to conjure up today?

I know my fake 'flirting' (Barf!) if you can even call it that, made him super uncomfortable today. I know Benjamin finds me repulsive but for some reason, seeing him repulsed and awkward made me feel good.

I wasn't sure if I wanted to be the kind of person who basked in another person's misery. But this was Benjamin Lovat. He wasn't a real person. He was a cold machine programmed to cause havoc. If I was going to relish someone's misery... It should be his.

-

"Come on Maeve, you didn't show up last time!" My coworker Bev moaned at me, whilst wiping down the counter.

"I wasn't feeling well." I lied, and from the look on Bev's face she was not buying into my bullshit.

"Sure you were. Weird your sudden illness only arose when you found of Benny would be joining for drinks" Bev shot me a side eye glance.

"Fine. Maybe i wasn't too thrilled when i heard 'that person' would be joining us too." I admitted.

"Tell me something i dont know" she scoffed, whilst throwing the cloth she was using in the sink.

"Benny cant make it tomorrow night, so it really will just be me, Twyla and you. Well my husband will likely be at home, but ill send him into the other room and he can fetch our drinks like a waiter." Bev inched towards where i was standing.

"I finish work at 5pm tomorrow." I told her honestly.

Bev scoffed before reaching for my hand. "What age are you Maeve?"

I screwed my face up, "I'm 21 Bev, you already know this."

"Yes, so why do you act like your 99?" she laughed. "Is your bedtime 7pm? I'm in my fifties love, and even I have more of a social life than you."

I tried not to be offended. It was the truth.

"I like going to my bed and watching Netflix and playing Episode, so sue me" I deadpanned.

"Come tomorrow night. It will only be a few cocktails and we can watch our favourite Eurovision clips on youtube. Stuart knows how to link up youtube to the TV now. I picked a good'n."

I tried not to laugh, imagining Bev's husband Stuart spending hours trying to connect Youtube to their Tv, while she watched, sprawled on her sofa , with a glass of Chardonnay in her hand.

I do love eurovision. And I also love cocktails.

I thought it would probably be best to check with my Mum that she didn't have anything for us planned but who was I kidding.

"You had me at Eurovision clips" I stated jokingly and Bev's face filled with delight. Her hold on my hand felt even tighter.

"Great!I'll have Stuart pick us up after work tomorrow and we can head straight to mine" Bev exclaimed. Obviously still in disbelief I agreed so quickly.

"Fine, but you've got to allow me to give you two petrol money. God knows how many times Stuart has ferried me around like he's my own chauffeur "I said seriously.

Bev pulled me in for a full body hug, "uh huh, sure love."Part 19