Kapal: The vessel in the Tea Shop.

Tea Shop

Jenifer’s watch beeped. 8:30, it told her

“Almost closing time,” she said, stretching and yawning.  An elderly man, their only frequent customer after 6pm, looked up from a book, and at the rustic wooden analogue clock above the counter.

“Well,” he said, yawning too, “I better head home then”

“Oh, no no Mr Walters I was talking Sam in the back. I’m not chasing you away.”

“Its not you Jen, don’t fret, I have to pass through the chemist before it closes” he said putting on his coat and hat, “Besides, if my wife found I was out this late, spending time with pretty young ladies like you, I’d be picking my clothes off the street.”

Jen blushed, “if she’s half as sweet as you are Joe, I’m sure she’ll understand”

“I wish she was, I really do. I suspect its cause she’s never tried your tea.”

“There you go again,” Jen giggled, “give her a kiss for me, and I’m dying to meet her.”

“Maybe it’s better if you never did. The town would never forgive me if I ruined this ol’ tea shop” He flashed her a warm smile and left, the bell atop the door chiming as it opened and closed. She watched him through the display window as he made his way down the street, continuing with his life.

“Such a sweet man,” Sam said, coming from the back to collect Mr Walters used cup and return the book to the shelf.

“People like him are the reason I started this place. He carries sunshine where ever he goes. It makes me happy that I can make happy people happy.”

“Happy people? Are you forgetting Ms humble pants? He was a miserable wreck the first few weeks he came here. Moaning and groaning about his job, the rain, the loud sailors at the harbour, and lets not forget the daily earful he gave us about his wife. I don’t know how you did it, but you brought the sweetness out of that grumpy contractor that walked in here a month ago”

“Me? No ways,” Jen, blushing though her dark skin never showed it, “I hardly see myself as a giver. I take joy from people. I’m very selfish with it too. Its that tea of yours Sam, it makes everyone in here happy.”

“Well, I did learn from the best,” he said with a cheeky grin.

“No kid, you’re talented, more than I was. I was serving tea to tumble weeds before you came.  Now were on our way to becoming a household name. Confess. Are you putting something, extra in it.”

“Extra? Pshh I really dunno what you’re on about. Its not like grinding some weed in  with the Jasmine then using a bit more honey to mask the after taste would make for viable tea. Or as if I would use earl’s bitterness to mask the taste of a teaspoon of ‘canna-butter’ would be something our customers would enjoy enough to keep coming back again.”

Jen glared at him.

“And again.”

“that’s it. Empty those pockets young man.” She demanded.

“And again.” Jen jumped at him

“Too slow!” he dodged, pushing her to the side and diving toward the sitting area.

“You idiot. I’m your boss. Give it up!” he raced through the tables, pulling chairs behind him to slow her down, they scraped and clattered as she kicked and stumbled over them. She tore off her apron and threw it at him missing his head. He laughed at her attempt and vaulted over a table to make a b line for the kitchen. She intercepted, grabbing him around the waist.