Short story and sketches by Heather R
Maria rhythmically glided the mop across the uneven floor.
Perfectly in time to the beat of the song that filled her head.
She loved music.
You could say this slightly eased the boredom of the mundane task in hand.
This wasn’t Maria’s favourite job of the day but she never quibbled; someone had to do it and she didn’t mind really.
When Maria was satisfied the floor was thoroughly clean and shining, she removed the upturned chair from the last round bistro style table and gently tucked it snuggly underneath to neatly join the rest of the family of chairs that were positioned perfectly round the table.
Ready for the day’s customers of every walk of life to be entertained on them.
She smiled to herself, the worst part of the day was finally accomplished.
Maria could already smell the aroma of fresh bread, baguettes and croissants reach her nostrils; with the added sweet vanilla fragrance of dainty pastries.
Mmmmmmmmm. Her senses were awake!
She could hear the slow shuffling of tired, weary feet.
Turning round Maria glimpsed her Mama.
She immediately dashed over and carefully took the last tray of pastries her Mama was carrying off her and placed them in the little latticed, old fashioned window.
Each pastry was perfect in size and shape.
Their sugar sprinkled tops glistening like tiny diamonds., ready to tempt any passerby to come inside and see if they taste as good as they smell and look.
When Maria was finally satisfied the display was enticingly perfect, she looked at her Mama.
Who smiled and gave Maria the final nod of approval.
Maria then straightened her apron and turned the rattling sign on the door from ‘Closed’
to ‘Open’......... wondering to herself what interesting characters would greet her today.
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Debbie Crouch
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