Once in a Blue Christmas

CHAPTER ONE

MAY

SKY

It's a universal rule that if the sun is shining, it's going to be a good day.

Today, the late afternoon sun catches on chrome cutlery left out on tabletops, amid half-finished coffee cups and stray cake crumbs. A light buzz of chatter fills the air as nearby park goers come and go, sharing their optimism for how great this summer will be. So far there's been university students who are planning to backpack around Europe, there's the Indian couple who've just got their British work visas approved, and my favourite is the young girl who's been given the all clear after leukaemia treatment.

Being so close to the city centre we get all kinds of customers through the doors from passing salesmen who live off espressos and chocolate bars, to middle aged mums who opt to wind down with a steaming mug of earl grey tea and a wholesome blueberry muffin. I prefer the career women because they never veer far from their usual order: a flat white and whatever traybake is available, and they never have time to complain because they're in and out within minutes. It's always a mixed bag here at Rising Sun café.

I've memorised all the regular customers and their respective orders, so I basically run like a machine when putting them together in the mornings. I thrive on being busy and under pressure. Not wanting to boast but I reckon I'm the fastest barista on the roster here.

In preparation for the rush that comes with the evening commute, I clear the tables and wipe down the countertop, whilst still managing to serve incoming customers. As proficient as I am at multitasking, I do hope that Robin turns up soon. His shift was due to start ten minutes ago but there's no sign of him yet.

With a sigh, I resign myself to restocking the countertop cake display on my own. I'm halfway through when the air changes in the room. The springtime scent of budding trees and the twittering of baby birds wafts over as a new customer comes through the door. I feel compelled to look up from what I'm doing, as if a very important person has just announced their presence and my instincts can't help but catch sight of their arrival.

He wanders in as slick as the syrup we drizzle over whipped cream tops, a striking figure in a tailored button-up shirt, smart trousers, aviator sunglasses and a devilish smile that breaks out as he turns his head in my direction. My stomach flutters and I momentarily forget where I am, causing my fingers to brush the red velvet's cream cheese frosting. Cursing myself, I discreetly wipe myself on my apron.

As the dark haired man approaches he peels his sunglasses off, revealing blazing sapphire eyes that make a beeline for mine. Our eyes lock and I feel my heart begin to hammer at a furious pace. The way his gaze fixes on me is deliciously addictive, as if he's put me in trance. I can't make up my mind how I feel about it, but I do conclude that he is one fine man to have such an effect on a woman in a split few seconds.

I shake myself to my senses and remember where I am.

"Hi, what can I get you?" I ask, slipping into my well-versed customer service tone.

"Hello there, yourself," he hums in a pleasingly deep voice. "What would you recommend?"

Questions like this always grind my gears. Coffee is coffee and the drink variations are more or less the same wherever you go - what kind of answer is he expecting? Questions like this are an invitation for sarcastic answers. However, in the interests of being a good barista, I always reply with the same bland recommendation.

"I'd recommend an americano if you want to taste the flavours of the coffee beans."

Simple and quick to make. Efficiency is my middle name, after all.

"Hmm, no, that sounds a little safe. Do you have anything a tad more exciting?"

"Well, we have tea and hot chocolate if that's what you're in the mood for."

He rubs his sunglasses frame over his lips, slowly eyeing me up at the same time. I don't mind at all because it means I get to eye him up at the same time. Although I do think he'd be better off eyeing the menu board if he wants to order a drink anytime soon.

"Do you have anything stronger?"

He's just begging for a sarcastic answer now. I'm about to tell him that I've got a crate of beer hidden in the back if he wants a crack at that, when he hunches his shoulders over the countertop and discreetly produces a mini bottle of Jack Daniels.

"What would you say to slipping this into my drink on the sly?" His eyes twinkle with mischief. A man clearly used to getting his way with the ladies, myself included if he keeps this up. I feel my face start to burn up, so I force air out my cheeks to cool down, disguising it as a sigh.

"I guess it's five o'clock somewhere. I'll make you an Irish coffee, how does that sound?"

"That sounds perfect...I'm sorry, what was your name?"

"My name's Sky."

"What a charming name," he says with a smile dancing in his eyes. "I'm Kyle, by the way. Not nearly as memorable a name, but I hope you won't forget it."

Not much chance of that with the impression he's left on me.

"Kyle," I nod. "I'll try to remember that."

"Jolly good, because I've just moved in upstairs." He must be referring to the residential complex that takes up the floors above. This coffee shop and other retail units are spread out over the ground floor. "I expect you'll be seeing a lot of me from now on."

Having a hot new stranger move into a flat upstairs will have absolutely no affect on my life whatsoever, but for some reason, the thought of running into him time and time again is something I'm looking forward to.

"Wow, welcome to the building! I look forward to seeing you around," I smile.

I just about manage to maintain a cool composure as I set up the till for him to pay, before hastily turning around and busying myself making his drink.