Bleeding Hearts

CHAPTER 6

Ashley’s POV

“Hey, Mrs. Mason” I greeted her happily after entering the coffee house.

Maurice was a very dear friend of my grandparents and the mother of uncle John. He was my mom’s closest friend and legal advisor.

John was a lawyer and owned a firm in Yorkshire. He used to live there but he moved back here for mom’s sake and now managed everything from here.

I used to work in this coffee house before moving to Leicester. This place was filled with fond memories for me.

I hung my coat and came behind the counter.

“Oh my!” Maurice chuckled at my appearance. “Look at you” she removed snow from my hair.

“I am glad I was not buried on my way here” I giggled. “There is so much snow outside.”

I rubbed my hands together and blew in them. I was dressed warmly but I was still cold.

“So cold.” I shivered slightly.

“Look at you” My mood soured when Jake whistled behind me. “You are as white as a ghost.”

“Same old stinky jokes, Jake?” I said blankly.

“Now,” Maurice stepped in before we could have entered a brawl. “I want my customers inside, not outside, okay?” She looked between us strictly. “You are past the point of fighting like kids now.”

I just nodded in silence. I didn’t want to create problems for her in any way.

I looked at Jake in disgust when he smirked when Maurice was not looking.

He was a flirt. He hit on me countless times during school days but when I didn’t respond, he turned nasty.

He just didn’t know how to take a no.

“Where are Sophie and Rena?” I asked Maurice once Jake left.

“They took the day off,” she told me.

“And uncle John?”

“Here,” I wrinkled my nose when John sprinkled the snow from his hat on my head.

John was in his mid-forties. He was tall with a sturdy body. His brown hair was greying on the edges. His blue eyes were filled with so much warmth.

“Hey!” John hugged me. “How are you, kiddo?” He looked at me from head to toe. “I can’t believe you have grown this much in five years.”

“And so beautiful,” Maurice added while looking at me adoringly. “She is so much like how Alison was in her young days.”

“Yes.” John chuckled when I blushed. “Very much beautiful to be courted by a gentleman.”

“Please!” I rolled my eyes. “There are no gentlemen these days.”

“Really?” John mused.

“I have work to do.” I ushered them out. “You two leave me alone now.”

“You come home once in a while and spend half of the day here.” Maurice scolded me.

“Sam and Fey are busy with exams and mom with her work,” I told her. “She doesn’t allow me to accompany her. Don’t throw me out. I will die of boredom.” I pouted at her sadly.

“Who could dare to say no to this” Maurice pinched my chin. “You are so adorable, you know that?”

“May I stay?” I asked cutely. “Yay!” I hugged her happily when she nodded.