A Little Happiness

Written for https://lifeafter50forwomen.com/category/what-do-you-see/

Martha sat in the same spot in the coffee shop.

The waitress didn’t even have to ask her order. A latte; no sugar and a cheese sandwich. Sometimes, if she had the cash, she would splurge on an Eccles cake.

She would never be far away from a note book.

A scan of the cafe and she would start writing. Silent. Every so often she would observe another customer, tap the end of her cheek, and her pen wouldn’t lift off the page until she was done.

A brief interlude, and half an hour disappeared in a blur of lines. Whether it was raining, or there was no clouds in the sky, she would be there. Even with the heavy snow, her boots stamped on the tiles.

Today was the first day she hadn’t resumed her usual seat.

She hated breaking her leg, and wondered whether they would miss her. This wouldn’t stop her writing. Although, without her drink, it wouldn’t be quite the same.

‘Mum, I’ve been to your cafe. I know you miss being there, and the waitress gave me this.’

An Eccles cake, cheese sandwich, and a latte; with our compliments, it said on the label.