John held his breath and silently cursed the bell ringing above his head as he opened the glass door. Hurrying across the black-and-white-chequered floor, he sank down by his usual table, shoulders hunched, making his hair fall forward, and looked around. The smell of coffee and gingerbread was almost enough to chase the dark, freezing December morning from his mind.
“I’ll be with you in a minute, sweetie. Just need to…” Jen frowned at the mini-bulb strand she was trying to fasten around the window. Her red hair was getting in her eyes, and her face was flushed.
John nodded. He could wait, it was still early, and the café was empty. He dropped his shoulders and smiled. The café’s empty.
“You’re coming, right?” Jen glanced at him over her shoulder, swaying a little on the chair.
“Tomorr
