Virtues of Saints & Angels
Chapter 4 – Milk
“So starving student artist?” she asked as she went back to making his sandwich. “Where are you studying?”
“Byam Shaw, up near Archway,” he answered as he slid on to one of the counter stools and took a sip of his juice.
“Really, I’m down at Central St Martins on Southampton Row,” she said as she placed the sandwich under the grill and turned her attention to the coffee machine. Both schools, even though miles apart were run by the University of Arts, along with a number of other colleges throughout London.
“Yeah, cool, I have to go down there for classes and research sometimes. What are you studying?”
“Graphic Design, and you?”
“Fine Art, last year, thank God,” he answered her as he finished the stolen donut.
“Nearly over, that’s great. I have one more after this.” She pulled out the toasted sandwich and placed it on a plate before she handed it to him. “Your coffee; black, white, cappuccino?”
“Oh sorry, soy latté, I have issues with normal milk,” he laughed biting into his hot toasted sandwich.
As she made his latté the conversation continued on their mutual interest in art and their hopeful careers in the future. As Orlando spoke about his classes Beth cleaned up from making his breakfast and explained some of the things that were involved in hers. She moved back in front of him and picked up her order book, slipping it back into her apron pocket as she smiled into the expressive dark chocolate pools of his eyes. He looked at the name tag on her shirt before he looked up into her pretty smiling eyes.
“So, Elizabeth, I haven’t seen you here before, and believe me I spend a lot of time here,” he said as he wiped his mouth on napkin.
“I just started two weeks ago but this is my first morning shift,” she replied.
“Oh, OK, that was wonderful by the way, breakfast that is. Thank you.” Orlando pushed his empty coffee mug back across the counter and fished his wallet out of his back pocket to take out some money.
“Hey, Angel told me the deal, you do the signs and menus for the café for free breakfasts.”
“I wasn’t sure she had said anything. Thanks” Orlando slipped his wallet back into his pocket.
“Your welcome,” Beth smiled, picking up his mug and placing it on the tray along with the other dirty dishes.
Orlando stood up and picked up his backpack and satchel.
“Well, I better be of, I have to catch the train home to see Mum.”
“Where’s home?”
“Canterbury, Mum insists I come down there at least once a month so she can be sure I’m still alive and not a drunk or a drug addict or starving. City life can do that to you, you know what I mean?” he winked at her.
“I’ve heard that too,” Beth replied, “she’s not ready to drag you back home yet?”
“Not yet, but sometimes it’s an effort to get out of the house when I go to leave on Sundays.”
“Still not convinced? Oh well, at least you know she loves you.”
“Yeah, I know. The added bonus is I come home with bucket loads of food. Anyway, I better go. Thanks Beth.”