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The Cafe

Just a Short Story

By Jane PoePublished 6 years ago 8 min read
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My mom and I decided that we were going to take a little vacation to London. She didn’t want to fly across the sea but she did very well for someone who refused sleep medication. We arrived on a Tuesday; my mom got us a great deal on a flat for the 2 months we were staying there. All I wanted to do was go up to our flat and go to sleep even though it was only 8 AM—that means it was 3AM back home, though I knew that I had to last through the day to try to get rid of jet lag. I was only giving myself an hour long nap when we got back to the flat then I planned on going to a coffee shop.

“Don’t forget that we’re going to Nando’s at least once while we’re here,” I told my mom as we left the car rental place.

“I know, you’ve been talking about it ever since I told you about the trip,” my mom laughed.

“I know, I know, I'm just so excited!” A lot of my favorite bands were from the UK and Australia where they had a Nando’s and ever since they talked about the place and how good it was, I wanted to go.

We got to our flat and I started to sleep. The hour passed by all too quickly. I put on a light jacket and headed to check my makeup, which looked like it always did. “Hey mom, I'm going down to that coffee shop two blocks away! You want something?”

“I think I can last without the coffee. I’ll text you if I change my mind, but be back in 2 hours and let me know if your plans change.”

“Alrighty sounds good!” I said as I grabbed my wallet and keys and headed towards the door. I walked down the three flights of stairs thinking it’d be faster than the elevator. I walked out the front door and headed right towards the cafe. I got there a few minutes later and scanned the shop through the window—there was a tall handsome brunette sitting in the corner. I think I found my eye candy for the next two hours, I thought as I pushed the door open. I ordered my coffee and a muffin and sat at a table by the window and just the right angle to look at Mr. Brunette.

I looked down to open my muffin and as I was doing so I heard the chair across from me move. My heartbeat quickened as I looked up slowly. Sure enough, it was Mr. Brunette.

“Hi, my name is James Taylor and I must say when you passed the window I hoped you’d stop in just so I could try to muster up the courage to speak to you.” I was shocked. He looked so bashful and his accent was just music to my ears. “What’s your name?” he asked ever so politely.

“My name’s Alyssa Murphy, and I’m staying here with my mom for the next two months. Just arrived today actually.”

“You’re American?”

“Yes, I’m from a small town in North Carolina... do you know where that is?” He shook his head no and I replied, “here.” I took my phone out and looked up on Google Maps where North Carolina was compared to London.

“Wow. That’s definitely not where I thought it was.” He started laughing.

“Where did you think it was?” And when he pointed at Utah I started laughing with him.

We talked all of our two hours. “I have to go, I promised my mom that I would be back in two hours and I’m a little over at the moment.”

“Okay, but I still want to talk with you. Here.” He handed me the napkin that he was writing on. I saw it was his number. “Text me sometime before you leave. I’d like to see you again and get to know you better.”

“Alright, sounds like a plan,” I said while putting the napkin into my pocket.

“I’ll talk to you later, Alyssa.”

“See ya, James!” I headed toward the door and turned left and walked back to my mom. when I got back to the flat she was asleep again so I woke her up. “I thought that you were gonna last without the coffee.”

“And I thought that you would be back in two hours,” she said looking at her watch for the time.

“If you subtract the walking time I'm only off by ten minutes,” I replied grabbing some water from the fridge. “We should go shopping today.”

“Sounds good, you should find a cheap place around here that we can go to,” my mom said getting up off of the couch. She started to head towards the fridge. “Yeah, we have absolutely nothing. Let’s go in an hour, that way I have time to change and unpack.”

“Okay I’ll unpack my laptop and check for local grocery stores,” I said as I headed toward what would be my room for the next two months. We were doing this swapping houses thing with the lady who lived here. I was in her daughter’s old bedroom and it was quite welcoming. It could’ve even been something that I would’ve done with my room. I grabbed my carry on and got my laptop and charger out. I looked up “local London grocery stores” and found one about half a mile away. Once I wrote down the directions I decided to unpack the rest of my things. I wonder if James has ever been to that grocery store. It was an odd thought but it’s what I thought of at the moment. So I decided to text him.

Hey, my mom and I were about to go to the store. I don't know why but I thought of you. -Alyssa.

Moments later I got a reply.

Well if you go to the store you’ve got to get some Chelsea Buns. They are amazing.

What are they?

They’re like your cinnamon rolls, but they are topped with raisins... well my favorite ones are.

They sound great! I’ll get them for breakfast.

Do you want me to just go with you and help you choose what’s the best London cuisine?

Let me check with my mom.

I started smiling when I read his last text. I can’t get myself wrapped up into this London guy. I don’t want to have a broken heart by the end of this summer. Even with that thought I went into my mom’s room and asked her, “Hey mom, I ran into this guy at the coffee shop and his name is James and he’s kinda the reason that I was a little late. But he gave me his number and he said that he could help us buy the best, and cheapest, stuff in London. So would you mind if he came with us to the store? Just so that he can help us shop to get stuff for some true, authentic London cuisine?” I batted my eyes at her.

“How old is this boy... James?”

“He’s 20. Only a year older than me.”

“I think having someone from the city with us will be helpful. Do you trust him?”

“Yes. He’s very nice and humble,” I said, glad she said he could go. “I’ll text him and tell him to meet us at the Tesco in about 20 minutes.” I took out my phone and started typing away.

“Alright then let’s leave.”

I hit send then said to my mom, “Okay, let me grab my purse.” I ran and got my purse off of my bed then we were out and on our way to meet up with James.

We got there with almost no problem. I saw James waiting by the front door. So when we got out of the car I lead my mom to him.

“Mom, this is James. James, this is my mother, Emma.”

“It’s nice to meet you, James.” My mom smiled and shook his hand.

“The pleasure’s all mine, Mrs. Murphy,” he replied mirroring her smile.

“You’ve got a nice handshake, something you don't see in many young men like yourself.”

“Yes well I was taught to be a gentleman and that requires a firm handshake according to my mom.”

“She did well,” my mom said, then quickly added, “Let’s get this trip started.”

The three of us started walking inside and began our trip.

James won my mom over quickly and I admired him even more by the time we were done shopping. He made us laugh the whole time. Part of the way we got lost from my mom and acted like we were in the jungle looking for a rare beautiful bird. I didn’t want the time to end but I knew it had to.

“If you ever need anything I’ll be glad to help you,” James said to my mother and I, after we put all of the bags into the car. “Alyssa, I hope I get to see you again soon.”

“I hope so too,” I replied to him. He gave me a quick hug.

“Sorry, I'm a hugger,” he replied sheepishly.

“It’s okay I am too.”

After he walked away my mom turned towards me. “You know, I think I would like having him around. He brings out your happy side.”

“He’s fun to be around,” I told her honestly.

I texted James:

Tomorrow. Big Ben. My mom and I want to see it and also The Eye. You in?

YES!!! I love seeing them. It’s so beautiful. I can’t wait.

I can’t either. (:

I smiled to myself as we drove. This is going to be a great summer.

literature
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About the Creator

Jane Poe

Weird and emotionally unstable. Big foodie (though a picky eater), artist, and loving fiancé go A. Poe. Heres my experiences, rants, thoughts, and dreams. I hope you enjoy.

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