Mr West

Chapter 6

Eliza

Another day.  Lunchtime had rolled around thankfully fast today.  I was also glad to learn that many people had started eating out for lunch now the weather was warmer.  Summer was approaching and the sun was shining a glorious golden colour high in the sky.  Birds were tweet-tweeting in the trees, flowers were in full bloom and not a single cloud shielded us from the burning sun.  With skin as white as snow, a modern day Snow White some would say (alright so no one says that, but hey, here's a start right?), I was in for a treat when I stepped out this morning.  Of course I hadn't been prepared, as I never was when the British sun decided to make a show.  I was one of the fortunate handful that packed just about anything and everything in their large bags.  Cut your finger?  Don't worry, I have three different types of plasters.  You want a waterproof plaster?  No, what about one with Disney princesses on them?  No, just a regular plaster would work?  Alright then (fun killer!)  Anyway, I packed all but I never imagined needing handy sun cream.  I arrived at work this morning with a (healthy) pink tinged face.  Jimmy found it oddly adorable whilst Nathan had nearly fallen on his arse from laughing so hard!   He swore he'd broken a rib from howling so loudly, to which I gave him a shove and he took a tumble.  "See, fine and dandy," I'd shrugged.  He deserved much worse.

That is what brought me to this moment, sitting in the staffroom alone preparing my lunch.  I could have easily chosen to stay in the kitchen and cook my lunch down there.  Many had done so before.  However, I was much looking forward to a few minutes to myself.  Spending hours in the kitchen with Nathan and Henry, another waiter, was proving to be exhausting.  It was like babysitting with the pair of them!  They were a handful, especially together.  Henry was tall, over six foot and with a strong build.  His shirts were tight on her thick muscles, it was honestly hard not to stare!  I'm still waiting for the moment the buttons on his shirt pop.  With his curly hair, cheeky smile and deep dimples it's hard not to adore him.  I fell in love with his charisma and charm instantly.  Henry is a huge klutz!  He is the clumsiest person I have ever met, even more so than me.  He does though make clumsy seem cute!  Every time he trips, slips or drop something, which is far too often, he chuckles softly and mutters, "Whoopsie daisie!"  Nathan is far from cute.  You know that annoying kid in your class who had to be above all, always needs the spotlight on him, is constantly showing off his tricks, which are far from average, and craves attention?  Yep, that's Nathan in a nutshell.  I'm the mother who has to divide her attention and devotion equally whilst trying to keep both boys satisfied and happy.  It's a struggle, I'm telling you.

Catching these few spare minutes alone is a godsend!  They were eager to go be with their 'friends' making me feel even older and more motherly than ever.  When they left I even called after them to 'stay with the group' and 'look both ways when crossing the road'.  I was turning into my mother!  For my lunch I had packed a flask with soup, already cooked and ready to be reheated.  Even my lunch choices were so adulty!  I was old before my time!  The little kitchen located in the corner of the staffroom was cosy.  With only three cupboards, a fridge, microwave and sink it looked rather plain on first sight.  But it was the opposite.  And with no one else here it felt even more comfortable.  I yank open the fridge and rifle inside until my fingers touch the familiar flask.  Searching the cupboards for a bowl takes longer than I expected.  I manage to find one in the last cupboard.   I empty the contents of soup into the bowl and pop it into the microwave.  I press the buttons and it beeps as it comes to life, the numbers flashing before slowly ticking down.  With my eyes hypnotized by the spinning bowl I almost don't hear the door creak open.  Back still to the door I expect to hear Nathan's loud, cheery voice fill the room in seconds followed by his high-pitched giggle.  I am mistaken.

When his raspy voice speaks I freeze up.  He was the last person I thought I'd connect with today.  "Thought I'd find you here," he chuckles.

I spin around and sure enough he's even wearing his cocky grin.  He bounds into the room and flops down on the sofa, laying his whole body across the three sofa cushions, his feet however dangle off onto the floor.