Tom Riddle | Short Stories

Cup of Coffee

Alice wiped down the tables as she prepped the diner for closing. The job was one of three, but she was saving up money so she could actually afford her own flat. 

She loved in a boarding house, where the house mother was a pain in her ass. Ms Daniels was an old woman who was very disagreeable but she had low rent. That was all Alice really needed. That and her rent was reduced since she baked scones for breakfast each morning. 

Her life was rather quaint, but where she was was better than where she'd been. 

Alice was wiping down the last table when she heard the door chime, 

"Sorry, we're just closing up," She called over her shoulder, as she finished wiping down the table, 

"I'm not here to eat," Said a familiar voice and Alice turned around quickly, a growing smile on her face and she dropped she rag and rushed over to give the man a hug, 

"Tom," She said, throwing her arms around his neck and hugging him tightly, "I thought I'd seen the last of you,"

He hugged her back, and her embrace tightened, "It's good to see you too,"

"Sorry, I just thought I'd never see you again," She said, 

"Never apologize for wanting to hug me," Tom said, and she grinned, loosening her grip on him, 

"Don't use my own words against me," Said Alice, stepping back and looking at him, "Come on, sit down, I'll get you coffee,"

"You don't have to-" He said as he was brought to a seat and sat down and she left to get the coffee, 

"Why break an eight hour streak?" She asked as she poured two cups of coffee, "How have been?"

"Good, I miss you though," He said, 

"Those boarding school friends of yours not enough for you?" Said Alice coming back and setting the coffee down in front of him and sitting down,

"Not compared to you," Said Tom,

"That is such an unfair comparison," She said, 

"You make good coffee," Said Tom, 

"Yes the fine art of coffee making, and balancing five trays on me without spilling anything,"

"Five?"

"The record is seven," Said Alice, "But it's risky,"

"I can understand why," He said and she laughed not because what he said was particularly funny, she was just happy to see him. "I was worried you wouldn't be pleased to see me,"

"Why wouldn't I be happy to see you? I was your friend not your obligation," Said Alice, and he shifted in his seat, "Don't worry about it, Tom, if I were you I don't think I would have gone back to Wool's if I had the opportunity to,"

"You left before your eighteenth Birthday," Said Tom, 

"Billy and I had a disagreement." She said plainly, "But how are you, what do you do now?"

"I acquire and sell rare artifacts for the wealthy, what did Stubbs do?" Asked Tom, narrowing his eyes at her, 

"Doesn't matter." Said Alice, "Do you live around here?"

"Yeah, I live nearby," Said Tom, "What did Stubbs do?"

"Remember that not mattering thing?" She asked, "Remember Missy? She got married to a gas station attendant, they had a baby, crazy," 

"Missy? a mother?" He asked, 

"I know, it was a shock to me too." Said Alice, "She never seemed the most selfless person,"