COSTAS
Journeys from Costas
Gregg Wilkinson
Jimmy looked up as the crowd pushed through the door with their instruments one, two, nine, ten, …twenty three.
Hell, nearly seven am Friday, no room for the regulars this morning, he thought and asked, ‘What will it be?’
‘Fourteen coffees and nine teas please.’
‘Small, medium, regular?’
‘Regular, please!’
‘All with milk, semi skimmed?’
‘Please!’ Said the trumpeter. At least Jimmy thought he must be, with those cheeks.
‘Where are you bound?’ Asked Jimmy.
‘London, 7:12!’ Said the trumpeter.
‘Take outs then?’
‘Yeah, please!’
‘Got held up this morning.’ Said the trumpeter, as Jimmy called to Sarah and Steve to help speed up the order.
Later, morning rush over, Jimmy turned round to see a solitary customer. ‘Yes please?’
‘Earl Grey please. Drink in and semi skimmed please.’
‘Are you catching the Edinburgh train?’ said Jimmy.
‘No, errm! ‘She looked confused, slightly anxious even.
‘The guide book” pointed Jimmy, ‘Scottish Highlands.’
‘Oh!’ She said, ‘No, err! I’m meeting someone.’
‘Ah! take a seat, I’ll bring it over.’ Jimmy wondered what the guide book had to do with meeting someone.
She took a sip. ‘Mm! Perfect!’ She smiled, their eyes met for the first time. Her anxious distracted look lifted, for a moment.
She was attractive, no rings, but a mark where one had recently been. Possibilities flittered through Jimmy’s mind. He smiled back.
