Against All Odds

Chapter 5

Eve

Exams will be the death of me I swear.
My first one is next week, and I'm spending the majority of my time revising and the rest of it freaking out.
Balancing exams, and a job was really stressing me out, but we need the money.
"Come on, help me out here Eve." Max pleads with me as I eat my breakfast, preparing for a morning of revision then work later on. "I've been given an extra shift today, and you know we need the money."
I pause, shoving my cereal into my mouth and met my brothers eyes.
"You know I would if I could but I got work too." I point out guiltily for not being able to help.
"Damn, he's too young to stay home alone." Max curses and I nod in agreement, munching on my coco pops.
"Maybe we should get a dog?" I suggest but Max shakes his head. "Why not? A good guard dog wouldn't let anyone through the front door."
"Maybe, but with our dodgy neighbours I'm not leaving Benji with just a dog." He reasons, which was fair enough. "I'd ask one of my mates but they're not exactly reliable."
After swallowing my mouth full, I come up with a solution.
"I could as Alfie, he'd be happy to help. Plus Benji loves him." I suggest, finishing off my cereal and and stand to wash it up. When no reply came from Max, I glance over my shoulder at him. "Max?"
His heads in his hands, shoulders slumped.
"I'm crap at this." His voice breaks a bit and I abandon the washing up to pull a chair up next to my big brother.
"You know that's not true." I argue softly, giving his shoulder a small squeeze. "You're giving us a good life Max."
Our eyes meet and I see the pain shining through his tears.
"I miss them." He chokes and I feel emotion boil up inside me.
"Me too, but I know they'd be proud if they could see us now." I give him a small, shaky smile and at that moment, Benji comes bouncing into the kitchen.
"Maxi can you play with me?" He asks, climbing onto his brothers lap.
"I would but I've got work little man."
Benji's face falls.
"Guess who I'm inviting over to babysit you?" I smile, carrying on with the washing up.
"Who?" He cocks his head at me curiously.
"Alfie!" I say and he grins with happiness. Bless him.

~~~

The cafe I work at is reasonable busy today which doesn't surprise me, but I do get a bit of a surprise when Lola and her Mum come striding into the cafe as thought they owned the place.
Now even though I try to be civil with this girl, she does set my teeth on edge.
"We've got a table booked for four." Lola's Mum informs me, giving me an unimpressed glance. Probably because I'm rushing around, serving other customers before her.
"I'll be with you in a sec." I force a smile, finishing off an old ladies coffee.
"Well hurry up." She huffs and Lola rolls her eyes at her Mum.
"Mum let's just find our table OK?" She decides, giving me an apologetic look and I feel my jaw drop. Literally.
Lola's being nice. That's weird. Maybe she just wants me to mention her kindness to Leo. Yeah that's probably it.
"Excuse me?" The old lady is holding her cash out and I snap out of my shock.
"Sorry ma'am, that's two pound thirty five please." I smile, handing her her coffee and taking the cash, giving her the correct change. Her hand takes the money from my hand and her eyes crinkle in a warm smile.
"Don't let people like that bother you honey, they may be beautiful on the outside but inside they're ugly." The lady pockets her money and let's out a small cough. Her words meant a lot. Another customer standing up for me? I love things like this; random acts of kindness. The old lady had no obligation to speak to me in such a friendly manner and yet she did. It makes my heart warm.
"Do you want me to take the coffee to your table for you?" I offer, wanting to do something kind for her now.
"That would be very kind of you, thanks." She nods, leading me over to her table and I follow, carrying her drink carefully.
As I place the coffee on her table, another customer calls out, demanding to be served.
"Remember...they're all fugly on the inside." She winks at me, taking a sip from her coffee.
I let out a surprised laugh at the sound of an old lady using such language. She pretty much swore, which just seems strange from a lady of her age.
"Ma'am, you're beautiful inside and out." I say truthfully and I see her eyes light up with genuine happiness.
"So are you my dear." She puts a hand over mine lovingly and I suddenly wished she was my grandma.
"Get that cute little arse of yours over here now!" I hear a regular customer of ours yell at me and I take a quick breath to calm my slight anger.
With one last smile aimed towards the sweet old lady who had just made my day and improved my faith in humanity, I face Stan. He certainly did not improve my view on humanity.
"What can I get you?" I ask once I'd got to his table where he's sat alone, as usual.
"How about you sit your pretty arse down here." He gestures towards his lap and smirks at me in amusement as he watches me squirm in discomfort.
"How about a coffee?" I offer, seeing as I couldn't be rude to customers. Even if they're as fucked up and creepy as this guy.
"Coffee with a blow job on the side?" He adds quietly, making sure no one can hear.
"I'd rather suck a lemon thanks." I force a sickly sweet smile and Stan chuckles.
"One day Harper, one day."

I shudder and go to fetch his coffee. This guy is dangerous. This guy is fucked up. I need to stay away from him but it's kind of hard since he always seems to be at the café.