O.U.R. Cafe

By Alexis Lawrence

The book follows the life of Juliette, who has sought employment at a café after her dismissal from an architectural firm due to an internal restructuring. She learns that life at the café is not always a bed of roses and struggles to adapt to its fast-paced life.

In the process, she gets drawn into her colleagues' past, albeit unknowingly, and puts herself in harm's way. She also meets some quirky characters that frequent the establishment, including an old man who doesn't seem to remember his requests and a fashion editor who can't seem to take no for an answer. However, from the interactions she has with these people, she learns about life and decisions.

Life and change are two central themes of this book.

"I had the inspiration to write this book after visiting a simple beach café, which not only sells beverages and desserts, but also memorabilia. I had the luxury to sit there for the entire day, sipping a hot beverage and people-watching. Then it hit me to write a book about the interesting characters that can inhabit a beach café. I do realize that there are already a lot of books and movies on the said theme, and that mine won't be a stand-out.

That said, however, I still hope this novella will touch a chord with you, and that you will enjoy it." - Alexis Lawrence

• Language: English
• Publisher: Alexis Lawrence
• Release date: Sep 4, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311876331

Alexis Lawrence

Alexis Lawrence, an avid reader and writer, has written three books, 'O.U.R. Café', 'Seasons: The Mysterious Woman' and 'Follow The Handyman'.'O.U.R. Café' follows the life of Juliette, who has sought employment at a café after her dismissal from a firm due to an internal restructuring, and the quirky characters she comes across in her new line of work.'Seasons: The Mysterious Woman' focuses on the life of a handyman named Matthew. By a twist of fate, he comes across a reclusive living in the outskirts of the county and seeks to draw her out of her shell through their brief interactions.At the same time, he's struggling to realize his aspiration as a singer.'Follow The Handyman' - the prequel to 'Seasons' - follows the protagonist, Matthew, on his callouts to various places in Gat County, and his interesting interactions with his oddball clients.Alexis is now working on the fourth book - 'The Crizz-Crozz Mark' (tentative title) - a murder mystery.

Book preview

O.U.R. CAFÉ

ALEXIS LAWRENCE

Copyright © 2014 Alexis Lawrence

Third revised edition

All rights reserved.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, or locales is entirely coincidental.

No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without the prior written consent of the Publisher and Author, except brief quotes used in reviews.

PROLOGUE

January 26, 2013

Agnes! croaked a tired masculine voice for the fifth time that morning. Why haven’t you added the cup of sugar to the mixture?

The children between eight and ten were gathered in the kitchen for their weekly culinary lesson. The principal had noted their interest in making pastries, and thus engaged Zack – a baker – to conduct some hands-on sessions in the orphanage.

The pretty little blonde named Agnes whirled around, only to come face to face with a reproachful Zack. Instead of appearing rueful, she broke out into a girlish smile, accentuated by a deep dimple on each side of her chubby chin, then dipped her fingers into a bowl of velvety mixture and smeared its contents on his nose.

AHH! The baker crinkled his face and pinched her tiny freckled nose in mock disapproval. Is this how you behave toward your teacher?

The mild rebuke did not deter her, and she scored another scoop of cream on his cheeks.

Oh, you naughty girl! grinned Zack as he strode after Agnes, having taken to her heels to avoid the castigation her teacher was going to bestow on her.

The children, buoyed by her performance, started hurling creamy globs at one another, with loud squeals of laughter dominating the room. Anna, having spotted a cup of unused sugar near the bowl, wasted no time in emptying it over Jan, who blinked furiously as some white crystallized grains found their way into his big round eyes. Lukas, meanwhile, fooled around with the bag of flour he had found under the table, flinging handfuls of it at anyone running in his way.

In a matter of minutes, a family of powdery snowmen materialized in the kitchen. It was a miracle the children did not bring the whole place down with the ruckus they were making, though they did attract considerable attention from someone else.

What’s going on here? A familiar authoritative voice cut through the din.

That had the immediate effect of silencing everyone on the spot. All shriveled at the sight of the elderly nun at the doorway, their heads hung low. Zack, recognizing his failure in keeping his students in line, followed suit.

I believe this is a baking class, not a spring cleaning session, the elderly nun addressed them in a crisp German accent as she planted her stern gaze on them, then turned to the teenage girl beside her and said, Sophie, please see that the children clean up the kitchen before their lunch.

Yes, Sister, Sophie obliged and issued instructions to the young ones to begin their chore of restoring order to the kitchen.

Zack, the nun paused for a split second before continuing, I’d like to have a word with you.

¤ ¤ ¤

How long have you been with us? the nun inquired as they ventured toward the garden.

Almost half a year, replied Zack promptly.

Are you still having trouble sleeping? she asked, concerned.

The unexpected question stopped him in his tracks, and for a brief moment, his face seemed taut, as if he was struggling with the flood of bad memories that the question had evoked.

The images just keep coming; they never seem to stop, he admitted finally.

She nodded, her eyes creased with sympathy.

You have to accept the fact that the accident is of no fault of yours, and there’s nothing you could have done to prevent it, she counseled.

It’s not that easy, Sister, he interjected, quiet.

Soon, they reached the gazebo. The delicate tendrils hanging lightly off the edges of the roof, the green vines twirled with much fervor round the whitewashed structural posts and braces.

Zack and the nun settled on the bench that faced the wide expanse of a lake – its surface a combination of brown and green due to the reflection of the overhanging branches and leaves.

Whenever he needed a breather from the boisterous children, he would rest at this very spot for an hour or two, allowing his body to soak in the tranquility of the surroundings like a sponge.

Isn’t there a girl you’re interested in? asked the elderly nun.

Ah, well… Zack’s voice trailed off.

You’re going to let that incident interfere with the present? She shook her head in reproval. You have to learn to let go of the past and move on with your life.

CHAPTER 1:

THE TUESDAY COUPLE

January 13, 2012 10:23pm

Juliette dragged her feet through the soulless main street toward the bus station. She had never yearned for the comfort of her home as much as she did now – to sink her exhausted body into the soft contours of her settee, her feet soaked in a basin of warm water. It had not crossed her mind how punishing the long hours of standing would be to her limbs when she signed up for the job as a barista, and now she would have to pay the price for her lack of foresight.

Her first day at O.U.R. Café went relatively well, thanks to her pleasant co-workers, though she could not say the same for Zack. He was standoffish with her, and their exchange had been limited to two words: yes and no. Truth be told, she had a nagging suspicion that he disliked her.

A moving shadow at the side street caught Juliette’s attention, but she did not give it much thought until a noise reached her ears. Curiosity prompted her toward the dimly lit alley where she discovered an unshaven vagrant lying near a dumpster, his filthy overalls barely covering the entire of his skeletal frame. He seemed to be asleep and did not stir when Juliette, sympathetic to his predicament, left him her dinner before continuing her trudge toward her destination. There she noticed a familiar figure.

Meredith.

¤ ¤ ¤

January 13, 2012 11:07am

Save for a regular, Mister Larsen, poring over the daily paper, the morning saw a lackluster response at O.U.R. Café. So Beth took advantage of the lull to school Juliette in the sacred art of coffee brewing, but with little success. And this, Beth reckoned, was due to the newbie’s lack of aptitude for the undertaking.

Ugh! winced Juliette, disappointed with her appalling latte – her fifth in that hour alone.

The woman circled her aching wrists clockwise, anticlockwise, and clockwise again, then released a small sigh. Perfecting the essence – the flavor, texture and temperature – of the brew proved to be a tougher endeavor than she imagined it to be.

Here comes the Tuesday couple, Beth interrupted her thoughts.

She noticed the puzzlement on Juliette’s face and gestured toward the newcomers at the sheltered alfresco section.

It’s their habit to drop by the café on Tuesdays, hence the nickname, she offered a quick explanation before approaching the couple, menus in hand.

What would you like to have, Alan? the girl asked the freckled boy.

A macchiato, he spoke as he fiddled with his iPad touchscreen.

Make it two, interjected the girl.

Would you like some dessert with your coffee? suggested Beth, noting the order in her dog-eared book. Our baker has come up with a new creation – kiwi chocolate pudding – today.

Again, the girl directed a glance at her boyfriend and purred, What do you think?

I’m not hungry, he replied, his eyes still glued to his gadget.

If the girl was peeved at his disinterest, she did not show it.

We’ll pass on that, she smiled, returning the menus to Beth. Thank you.

Beth supervised Juliette as she prepared the order, demanding a macchiato of the highest quality. When Juliette’s concoction fell short, Beth dumped it into the basin without hesitation and chastened her junior.

Not fit for the dogs to drink was the phrase Beth had used – which, Juliette had to admit, hurt her pride. She wondered if it was typical for baristas to be subjected to such verbal abuse, but this was not the time to brood over the question. The couple was still waiting for their order, and the thought made Juliette grit her teeth and embark on her second attempt.

Duncan, having observed them from the kitchen, beckoned the petite perfectionist over.

Easy on the language, girl. Remember the notion of positive reinforcement? he reminded her.

Looking for employees who were willing to toil in the food and beverage industry was a challenge these days. Not many could endure the tough working conditions, namely the long hours and demanding customers, and Duncan did not want Beth to drive his newest recruit away with her harsh words.

There’s no hurry, smiled Duncan, giving Juliette’s tensed shoulder a reassuring squeeze. Nobody gets everything right on their first day.

Duncan was the owner of O.U.R. Café – the wood-themed shop situated at Hampshire Beach. He was a confident but quiet man, and Juliette found herself drawn to him the moment she set her eyes on him.

I have a few appointments scheduled for the day, he informed them before heading out the door. So Beth, take care of the closing, will you?

Aye, aye, Sir! Beth saluted.

¤ ¤ ¤

January 13, 2012 11.52am

Should I choose Social or Abnormal Psych? asked the feminine half of the Tuesday couple.

The boy knitted his eyebrows into an exasperated frown and pursed his lips. How should I know? I am not familiar with either one.

Can’t you stop it with your iPad and help me out here? I’m torn between these two modules, she whined.

Why do you have to seek my opinion on everything, regardless of the triviality of the issue? fumed the boy, his exasperation manifesting in every word that passed through his lips. "And why don’t you try making your own decisions? For once in your goddamn pathetic life!"

The girl’s eyes bulged in shock at his last statement, but he did not seem to have registered her reaction as he continued, I’m not in the mood for coffee anymore. Why don’t you have it by yourself?

And with that, he walked off.

This minor commotion did not escape the wait staff’s eyes. And while Beth seemed indifferent toward it, Juliette felt empathy toward the upset girl. She probably felt neglected by her boyfriend. It was hard not to, with him wrapped up in his gadget throughout their date. Her incessant questions were probably her way – misguided as it was – of gaining his attention, and needless to say, it backfired.

Don’t worry your pretty little head about it, remarked Beth, sensing Juliette’s concern. This is a common scene in our line of work. We’re lucky today. There have been times when the patrons came to blows with one other and even turned the place upside down.

Despite her words, Juliette could not bear to see the girl helpless and depressed and figured a cup of piping hot beverage was a better antidote than solitude.

I would love to say the espresso is on the house, said Juliette, giving the customer a rueful smile. But the reality is, it’s coming out of my paycheck.

Thank you, sniffed the girl, accepting the barista’s kind gesture. I apologize for any unhappiness my boyfriend and I have caused with our tiff.

We are the ones who should apologize, commented Juliette, just as Daniel Powter’s Bad Day played in the background. For failing to make our patrons a happy person with our service.

From the exchange that followed, Juliette learnt that the girl’s name was Meredith, and the boy’s Alan, and that they were sophomores in the same college. O.U.R. Café was the venue where they, then high school students, first crossed paths with the other, and on a Tuesday no less – which explained why they frequented the establishment only on the said day of the week.

Meredith paused for a brief moment to take a sip of the espresso. The chat seemed to have improved her mood, albeit slight, with color returning to her ashen-white cheeks, and her shoulders less hunched. Her eyes, however, had yet to regain the girlish twinkle Juliette had noticed when she served the couple their macchiato.

From the counter, Beth signaled her co-worker to cut the conversation short, with the intention of resuming her training. But the girl was a step ahead of them.

Look at the time! she gasped, embarrassed. I can’t believe I have taken up so much of your time.

You don’t have to feel apologetic about it, Juliette remarked. Take care of yourself.

The girl nodded. You too.

¤ ¤ ¤

January 13, 2012 10.45pm

Juliette recognized Meredith the moment she stepped into the waiting room. The girl seemed lost in her thoughts and did not appear to be in a sociable mood, so Juliette took the vacant seat behind her, with nary a greeting. She watched the buses, one after another, pull out of the station as the number of passengers dwindled until they were the only ones left.

As the last longitudinal vehicle pulled into the station, Juliette tapped Meredith’s shoulder.

This is the last bus, she told the girl. "If we don’t get