10 Minute Tales

May 28 - Cake Shop

Lucy ran through the rain, holding the folder above her head as the sound of her shoes slamming onto the road echoed through the street. The shop she saw was still open, and even had a couple of customers browsing the options already. She practically burst through the doors, panting for breath as a bit of water dripped from her coat.

"G-good evening." one of the clerks greeted her, surprised by this burst of energy. She waved a hand briefly, still recovering her breath. "Can, I, um... help?"

"Leave her be, new guy." a voice echoed from the kitchen. Lucy smiled as she recognised this second voice as that of her cousin. "Lucy here's a regular. We should have some of her favourite stuff stocked, display unit four."

"Right, um, of course." the new employee cleared his throat awkwardly, moving over to the unit in question. It was filled with oversized cupcakes, hints of vanilla baked into the dough and positively smothered with icing. Lucy couldn't get enough. She sat up with a sigh, checking the folder. It was somewhat damaged from the rain, but it would dry out by the time she was finished. She hoped. "Usual drink, too?"

"Not today, Hana, I'm just after a fizzy."

"You know where the fridge is." Hana commented idly, still not even looking out of the kitchen. Lucy nodded and got up, walking over to the counter. A drink fridge hummed next to it, sitting idle even as she got a drink from within. As she fished through her purse for the money, the clerk came back.

"That will be, um... seven pound fifty all together." he announced, hastily hammering the information into the till. Lucy placed a note onto the counter, eagerly reaching for the cake.

"Thank you!" she almost sang, taking the cake eagerly and heading for a table - but coming back moments later, sheepish, for the drink and change.

"I, uh, I hope you enjoy." he smiled briefly, glancing aside. Lucy returned to the table she'd selected, taking a seat and greedily unwrapping the cake from the confines of its wrapper. The first bite was messy, and she could almost feel her insides melting in delight. So good!

"Mm, this is what I needed..." she sighed happily, wiping her lips with the back of her hand. The second bite was much more controlled than the first, but no less appreciated. The clerk watched her for a moment - there were no other customers and it was starting to get dark. Eventually, he plucked up the courage to go into the back and ask Hana about her.

"She seems... eccentric." he admitted. "Has she always been like that, or...?"

"Yeah, for as long as I've known her. She's got a hell of a history, though, and she doesn't like talking about it."

"Why not?" he asked immediately, not even thinking about it. Hana simply stared at him, making him feel awkward for asking.

"If she ain't gonna tell you, I ain't either. Just... be nice to her, okay? She's had plenty on her plate in the past, if you dredge up those memories again her mood won't last. She wouldn't forgive you for that..." Hana frowned at him. "And neither would I."