One Chance

Chapter 2

Going to work on a Monday morning is probably one of my favourite things. Getting to work on new articles is always interesting. I admit, in a small town like ours, there aren't many top news worthy items but getting to update people on what's happening is always nice.

Before work though, I have breakfast with my mom . This has been our weekly ritual since i moved out to live on my own. As I come closer to my parents' house, I see my mom watering plants. This has been something she loves to do for as long as i remember. I go and help her as we talk about our weekend.

"Any new updates in your life that i should know about", asks mom. I roll my eyes and sigh. "Mom, at this point if anything were to happen that was even remotely exciting to talk about I would probably show up in front of you myself" , I reply. " Plus you know me I hardly keep things to myself", I add.

After our failure at saying anything worthwhile we head inside to eat. As soon as we enter we see dad , that's Mr. Walter Holden to everyone else in town. He's, as usual, already digging into the the freshly baked pie that I am sure my mom got up super early to bake. Well not that it's an surprise considering my family owns and runs a bakery down the street. The apple pie they sell there is to die for , if I may say so myself.

My mom makes a joke about how she barely gets a slice before my dad finishes it all up. Lucky for me , my mom makes an extra just so we can enjoy it. After breakfast, I rush to work, which to my favour is only 5 minutes away from my parent's place. I guess today is my lucky day as I enter a minute before my boss , Mrs Harriet Gobbins who looks quiet happy today.

As I make my way to the small office in the end which I find to be my cozy corner, I wonder what makes my usually grumpy boss so happy today. My question is answered soon as she enters my office to let me know that someone would drop by today and I had to interview him. I sigh as she leaves because she always gives me news like this in the last minute and I barely have time to prepare.

I don't get time to dwell on it any longer and get on with my work for the day. Soon, there's a knock on the door and as soon as I look up I see a man with a cold demeanor who i can't seem to recall but looks like someone i have seen before. As I try to recall who it is, the man extends his hand to me which I take and introduces himself as Mr. Toby Cummins, this is when I remember the bookstore owner.

I ask him to take a seat and he tells me that he's the new bookstore owner and he is here to get an article published about it in the newspaper and my boss sent him to me. This is when I remember that I haven't made my introduction to him yet and make my introduction as " Lucy Holden, Opinion editor and writer of my own column in Middleton Daily.

He doesn't give much of a reaction and i offer him some water which he politely refuses. As I am about to ask him a question, he blurts out " I am not very good at communicating with new people so excuse me if I came out to be rude in any way." I make a mental note to go easy on him and ask him the name of his shop and the reason he decided to move to our small town from the city to be a bookstore owner. To which he answers ," I have decided to name it Rory's book store after my late father Rory Cummins whose dream it was to open one in a town away from the city." I didn't want to intrude any further into his family issue as he didn't seem willing to offer any more information.

I ask him other details and when he plans to open ,he tells me the opening date is a week from today and we exchange other necessary information and I walk him out after which we say goodbye . As I watch him walk away there's something about him that makes me feel like there's more to his story than what can meet the eye. Not wanting to think any further, I go back to my office and carry on with my work.

As the clock turns 5:30 I finish up my work and leave the office. I also work part time as a waitress in the same restaurant that Amanda works at. So I start walking to the restaurant , which usually takes me about 15 minutes. As soon as I go in , I go look for Amanda and give her a big hug. She has been my best friend my whole life. I cannot imagine life without her. If we weren't living together, we would have at least lived close by.

As I get dressed to get to work , Amanda and I have a small chat about the day. She tells me how she was praised by the customers during lunch time and that they even left her a tip. I mention the sudden visit of the bookstore guy and she makes me promise to tell her all about it once we head home. I nod and begin my shift. I work three days a week ( Monday, Wednesday and friday) in the restaurant and the rest of the two days in my parents' bakery. It's not that I need the extra money but I love working with Amanda and my parents like seeing me as much as they can.

The work ends at 9 which feels like a long 3 hours. Amanda's work ends at 9:30 so I wait for her at our usual table which is free at the moment. As I am waiting there's a tap on my shoulder , which I assume to be Amanda's and I get up finally happy to be headed home. But when I see the person behind me I am happily surprised to know it's Mr. Cummins. I greet him with a smile and am about to say , Good evening Mr.. when he stops me and asks me to call him Toby to which I happily oblige. He then asks me if I seat is taken and I tell him that I am waiting for my friend who is still working and that he is welcome to take the seat. He takes the seat next to me.

As I notice he's about to say something, Amanda approaches us and when she sees the man next to be, she introduces herself. I notice then that Toby is quite shy and gives a small smile while giving his introduction. I then bid Toby goodnight and walk away with Amanda.

As we are heading home Amanda can't help but squeal as to how handsome Toby is and she is clearly very excited. She asks me about what we had talked about in the office and in the restaurant and I tell her as much as I can to satisfy her curiosity. She's quite disappointed that there is nothing romantic about it and gives up. But she encourages me to try to get to know him and that she would help me if I ever need a wingwoman. I sigh and give a hesitant nod.

We go home ,make dinner and go into our rooms . As I get into bed to sleep, I can't help but think about the newcomer and how I had managed to have full conversations with him without freaking out. Maybe there was some hope. But I brush away all of that and try to get a good night's sleep.