The Bakery

2

Genie's POV

I couldn't stop thinking about what Harry had said. I left his booth shortly after he said that and watched him finish his coffee and leave at 10:00 like he always did. I thought I was angry with him at first. I angrily cleared away his coffee pot. He had no right to suggest something like that, especially as he knows what I have gone through with my family. In a way he was my closest friend. Isla was sweet but we didn't know much about each other. Harry knew everything about me. I knew absolutely nothing about him.

As my day continued, it was a little busier than normal. It must be the nice weather. I couldn't get what Harry said out of my mind. The way he looked when he said it. Straight into my eyes, making my knees weak. His eyes were so innocent, but playful at the same time. The way his plump, pink lips turned into a slight smile, adding to his innocence. His hair was covering his forehead, despite his desperate attempts to push it back. There were a few things I could work out about Harry. I knew he was troubled, I could see from the light scars that laced his tattooed hands, especially his knuckles. I was so intrigued by him. Every thing fascinated me. The way he held his posture whilst he drank his coffee. The way his eyes occasionally glanced at me when he thought I wasn't looking. The way he would intensely watch other customers.

My anger slowly fizzled away as I neared the end of my shift. I had finished all the washing as I grabbed my keys from the tray to lock up with. I realised that Harry may not be wrong, as ever since my family disowned me, I had refused to contact them or see them, except from the occasional phone call from my sister. I switched off all the lights as I did every day when I left. I locked the door, and then the metal gate and made my way to my car.

As I was driving, I thought about my family. My sister, Helen, was two years younger than me. She was the perfect child my doctoral parents dreamed of. When she was younger, she participated in brownies, then Guides, and volunteered at the charity in our home village. As she became older, about 15, she was incredibly clever, pretty, sporty and musical. An all rounder. She was kind-hearted and smiley, and all the important people at my parents work loved her. She wanted to be just like my parents when she grew up, which obviously they loved. She sounds like a prat when she's explained this way, but she wasn't. She would often sneak into my room at night and we would watch films and paint nails, doing things all sisters typically love to do. She said she always admired my independence, and how she wanted to be like 'my older sister Genevieve'. She always called me Genevieve, even though I hated it. She said she wanted to cut her hair like mine, and pierce her ears. She always wished she was old enough to sneak out to meet secret boyfriends. She always thought my life was exciting and that hers was controlled. She said she really wanted to pursue music, but she knew Mum and Dad would never approve of her playing the guitar in a dingy club to a load of drunks. They wanted her to be the first professional pianist and violinist who had a medical degree. She desired to be free, wanting to see how it tastes when you can do what you like and make your own rules. But Helen was always too scared to stick it to Mum and Dad, and decided to please them instead of doing what she really wanted.

My parents also loved my older brother, Nathaniel, who was 3 years older than me. He was a sergeant in the military, and often he retold tales of his war adventures. My parents couldn't have imagined a more perfect son. He was set to be married to the perfect (prissy) bachelorette next year. They would often gloat about how excellent he was and how he couldn't have anymore of their respect. Nat and I used to be close when we were younger. He was the best big brother a little girl could have. He would make time to play with me and would stand up for me when I needed him to. He would sit with me when I was about 11 and upset about anything, he would let me watch movies and bring me ice cream. About two years later, when I started 'rebelling' as my parents put it, we grew apart and he would often tell me to stop doing all these things for attention and let Mum and Dad be happy. I received the same lecture from him many times before, him telling me that Mum and Dad didn't have time to work, take care of the children, and worry about the next mess I would cause. He would always sit in on the fights I had with my parents, and be a smug prick. He would smirk every time I would look upset or said anything hypercritical. I couldn't be happier when he got shipped off to Afghanistan.

I arrived home and took my keys from my bag to unlock the door.

'NAOMI' I yelled, hoping that she would her me over her headphones.

'What?' She appeared behind me, making me jump. She was in her usual dirty pyjamas and slippers. Her hair was greasy and she smelt of cigarettes.

'Have you done anything today?' I questioned her, already knowing the answer.

'What do you think, you stuck up wanker.' I stormed passed her and into my room. I got a bag together and threw in my essentials. I knew there was a camp bed and showers at work in the back.

'Where are you going? I want food.'

'I'm leaving Naomi. I've had it to here with your laziness and your sleeping around. I'm not your fucking slave and you can't treat me the way you do! I'm sick of paying 75% of the rent because you're shit at finding work. I'd love how to see you would manage on your own, but oh so sadly, I won't because I'm leaving.' I gathered my things and stormed out of the door, looking back to see Naomi watching me with bored eyes and then pulling a cigarette from her pocket and lighting it borers closing the door on me. I throw my things into my boot and drive back to the café. I was happy I had left. I had needed to for a long time. But I knew I couldn't live at the café forever.

So... I think this is going ok so far! For anyone who doesn't know, brownies and guides is like and English version of girl camp or something. Any questions about anything I mention just leave a comment! Thanks for reading lovelies! Xox