"You're back!" Exclaimed David over-enthusiastically before awkwardly clearing his throat and saying, "Oh- er. I mean... it's nice to see you again."

Eleanor laughed, "I'm glad to see you too."

"If you don't kind my asking... where were you? Did you go on a trip on something?" David queried as he began writing down her order.

She gave a small sniff, and David became aware of how her voice had a slightly nasally tone as she said,
"No, no trips for me I'm afraid. I came down with a nasty cold which kept me in bed almost all week."

"Oh dear, I'm sorry to hear that. How are you feeling now?" Asked David, his concern all too obvious.

"Oh, a lot better than I was, thanks. Just a bit tired is all." She replied with a small smile.

David was quiet for a moment as he studied her face, noting the dark rims below her eyes and the way in which her joy, though still there, was dimmed by weariness,
"In that case, would you like an extra shot of coffee in your Mocha then?"

"That would be great, thanks." She said, obviously relieved at the thought of some extra caffeine to help her get through the day.

"Sure thing." He smiled as he scribbled it in addition to the short-hand order already on the lid and she gave him her payment (which she had discerned was £2.30 instead of the usual £2.20 due to the extra coffee shot, despite David's insistence that it was fine - for he had planned on covering the extra 10p later on).

His eyes then flickered to the cursed, ever-growing queue, and he gave a small sigh as he reluctantly began to say
"Well, I suppose that's us for the day-"

But Debbie, who had just finished making the previous customer's drink and overheard the last few sentences of the pairs exchange, interrupted,
"Nonsense, if you two need to keep speaking I can take over the cash register. I need a change of scenery anyhow."

David could almost imagine her inwardly winking at him as she gave a sly nod and smile with her kind offer.

"Are you sure?" He asked.

"Yes! Of course!" She made a shooing gesture, "Go on, I have customers to serve!"

With a smile at each other, they moved to the other end of the bench and David began to make her order. After a minute or so - for David was still aware that there were beginning to be other orders to be made - he handed her a regular-sized cup of Mocha with extra foam (and an extra shot of coffee of course).

She took a sip and said appreciatively,
"Mmm. Now that's good. Just what I felt like - a perfect balance of chocolate, caffeine and foam. Your foam is sublime!"

David's mouth tipped up at this high praise, "I'm glad you like it."

She took another sip and they were silent for a moment before David, already dreading the answer, asked,
"I don't suppose there's any chance of you staying for any longer is there?"

She shook her head,
"No, unfortunately not. I really ought to go now, Jasper's waiting for me."

"Jasper?"

"He's just outside," she said, gesturing to the general area visible through the large window.

The barista glanced through the coffee shop window. There was a guy standing there, peering through the glass as though he was waiting for someone.

David's heart sank as he spoke, "Oh, okay. Well, it was nice talking to you."

There was something in his voice that made Eleanor pause and, glancing back, she saw that his gaze was on the guy and not the tri-coloured King Charles Spaniel secured near his feet,
"Oh, he's-"

"Stop standing around chatting and make my coffee! I haven't got all day!" Snapped a woman in her suit, primming her thin mouth as she tapped her neat dark fuchsia nails impatiently against her jacket sleeve.

"Yes, of course, sorry Ma'am." Said David, flustered, as he turned his full attention to quickly finish making her drink - for he had still been working on it whilst he had been talking to Eleanor. He recognised her as a rather influential businesswoman in the area and knew it wouldn't do to displease the woman.

Seemingly discerning that any attempt to reignite the conversation would only hinder him, Eleanor gave a quick, "Bye David."

He nodded farewell in response, avoiding her gaze, which lingered for a moment before she turned and left the coffee shop. The quiet ting of the door's bell was only just faintly audible over the whirring of the coffee machine.

When David glanced out the window again - after having completed and handed over the businesswoman's drink - Eleanor was gone. As was the guy who had been waiting outside.