Joey sucked in a deep breath. The café wasn't very full, thanks to the rain, but it had enough people in. There was a new waitress, no doubt replacing her. Joey watched the cocoa skinned girl walk amongst people, smiling a smile beautiful enough to illuminate anyone’s day, even Joey’s. Harry wouldn’t need her, but he probably needed closure and an apology. This had been long overdue, and she’d been waiting for a day like this; when she was numb enough to accept that everyone was furious with her. She pushed the door open.
Michelle, the pretty blonde waitress that had been there before Joey even, came up to her immediately but when their eyes met she froze. Her eyes scanned Joey’s tired face. “He’s out back; you know how to get there.” Joey nodded, leaving Michelle to her business as she walked to the wall that separated the wheels and cogs from the clock face. She was stood outside of his office, hoping that he wasn't on the phone. Harry tended not to hear people knocking; his mind was always racing.
“Harry?” She rapped her fist on the door and as per usual, was met with nothing. Joey pushed the door open. The office was dark save for the bright desk lamp Harry had going. His glasses were silver with the light and his brow was furrowed.
“Mr Casey?”
He lifted his eyes to Joey slowly. His eyebrow rose and he took off his glasses. “Ms Thomas. What are you doing here?” She let her eyes widen before scurrying for a chair. “Hello. Uhm…I wanted to explain my absence.”
“Well now, I read in the paper that a certain Mr Thomas had been caught up in drug related violence resulting in a fire.” Joey’s eyes widened. They printed that in the paper?
“And you called already, all panicked sounding, babbling along about how you were sorry and something terrible had happened and then you were cut off, but I figured that meant you were out of action.” He smiled at her. “Correct?”
Joey sighed. “Yeah. B-but that isn’t all sir. See I wanted-”
“Please dear, call me Harry.”
“Yeah, Harry. I wanted to tell you that I can’t work for you anymore.” She looked away from him at the green and gold desk lamp that reminded her of Ratatouille, the movie, oddly enough. Harry nodded. “Yes, well, that’s alright Joey. I already have Ava on the case and she’s doing a brilliant job.” Joey nodded. Harry smiled at her comfortingly.
“I didn’t pay you for the short time that you did work here though-”
“But…don’t the tips serve as my pay?”
“Maybe in some restaurants. In mine, I pay you on top of your tips.”
“It’s fine Harry-“
“Here you go; £100.”
“£100? But I worked here for three or four day’s sir!”
“Harry.”
“Harry!”
“You did a brilliant job and it’s got a Christmas bonus as well.”
“Christmas isn’t until December!”
“Okay fine. The truth is I don’t have smaller notes and I’m too lazy to check. Take it or leave it.” Joey stared at him and he smiled sheepishly.
The rain had stopped briefly, allowing Joey to traverse the streets outside of Zayn’s apartment without using her umbrella or the hood of her hoodie. She stepped into the puddles of rain water, and hummed to herself happily. She was £100 richer, and if that wasn't anything to cheer someone up, she didn’t know what was.
“It’s the most beautiful time of the year,
Lights fill the streets spreading so much cheer.”
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Torment (One Direction Fan Fiction)
FanfictionJoey and her brother were doing okay. And then suddenly some goon named Hemp got involved and Joey's life was thrown out of balance. She had a modest life. Worked at a cute cafe, played the piano and sung in a small band. She even had relationships...
