Creeps With Claws || Not Being Finished

1 ~ Warm Coffee and Yellowing Pages

Opaque grey clouds shielded the sky, only letting odd rays of light through. Very few people dared to drive in the unforgiving weather, even fewer people dared to walk. The café held a warm and comforting heat, which was until someone opened to door and let in the unwelcome cold air. Steam rose off of the hot drinks filling the air with the peculiar mixed smell of coffee, tea and hot chocolate. People sat around the small round tables, drinking their drinks slowly, in an attempt to delay having to leave.

Ashley stood behind the counter, bored. She drummed her nails against the worktop, as her eyes scanned the tables, looking for something to do. She watched as Trinity wandered in and out of the tables, searching for an empty mug. Trinity's shoulders sagged as she made her way towards the counter. She slumped on one of the stools and Ashley gave her a sympathetic smile.

"My parents left for Italy this morning," Trinity explained, giving Ashley a mischievous grin. "So? You up for a three-week sleepover?"

"I can't tonight, Trin, but every other day I can," Ashley felt back when Trinity's smile faltered. "I've got to do one more shift at the library before it shuts for the summer, but I promise that I will make it up to you. How does pizza and ice-cream sound?" Trinity's smile returned. The little golden bell that hung above the door tolled and Trinity jumped to her feet and followed the couple until they sat. Ashley chuckled as her friend pounded them with a list of every drink available. The couple just settled for tow white coffees. Trinity came back with a bright smile. Ashley checked her watch. "I've got to go; Sam should be here soon to help you out."

"Alright, see you tomorrow," Trinity said, giving Ashley a tight squeeze. Ashley took her jacket off of the coat hanger in the back room and left out the back door, into the car park. She walked over to a mud-splattered Ford Fiesta, taking her keys out of her pocket. She climbed in behind the wheel and twisted the key in the ignition. It took a few times before the engine spluttered to life. She pulled out of the car park, just as another car pulled in. She fought the car in an effort to keep it in the centre of the road. She stopped at the traffic light and took a random CD out of the cup holder and slid it into the radio.

She pulled up outside the library, thankful for the parking. She ran into the building and walked amongst the rows of bookshelves. Switching some of the books around as she went along, so they were in alphabetical order. An elderly woman looked up from her book as Ashley approached the desk.

"Sorry I'm late Madeline, the roads were atrocious," she apologized, as she took her jacket and tied it around her waist. She walked over the trolley which held all the books that had been turned in that day.

"That's quite alright dear, all I need you to do is put them books away and then you're free to go," Madeline said, Ashley looked at the three books on the trolley and frowned slightly.

"Are you sure there is nothing else I can do?"

"I'm quite sure dear." Ashley nodded, took the three books off the trolley and walked to the correct sections, slipping them into their spaces. She walked back to see Madeline struggling to move the trolley behind the desk. Ashley rushed over to help her.

"Are you still sure that there is nothing I can do?" Ashley asked again.

"Yes dear, you just focus on helping your mum get better," she said with a small smile.

"Thank you."

"Oh, and Ashley dear?" Ashley hummed and turned. "Take this," she said, holding out some money in her frail hands.

"I can't take that."

"Of course you can," she said, practically thrusting the money into Ashley's hands. "Now go, I don't want to see you until after summer."