4. Chapter 4
A ria
The bustling energy of the breakfast crowd gradually ebbed away, leaving behind scattered coffee cups and breadcrumbs strewn across the tables and on the floor.
Aria sighed softly, reaching down to rub her aching feet.
It wasn't even noon yet, and she could already feel the exhaustion settle into her bones.
Today, she was acutely aware of every one of her thirty-five years.
She glanced briefly towards the back, where she'd secured her bike with a sturdy chain to the wall-mounted bike stand Gallen had thoughtfully fixed to the wall after her bike got stolen. It was her small freedom, a quiet escape route from home.
Jacob lingered at the corner table, sipping his lukewarm coffee and occasionally peering at her over the rim of his mug.
He looked slightly nerdy, with brown hair meticulously combed-not a single hair out of place-wire-rimmed glasses perched carefully on his nose, and calm, thoughtful blue eyes.
He was tall, with the lean build of a runner.
He wore carefully pressed clothes, a crease running down the front of his pants.
His laptop was open in front of him as he typed away.
Aria couldn't help the hidden smile that tugged at the corner of her lips.
Every morning for nearly two weeks, he'd politely asked her out in a manner that was shy, gentle, and entirely unobtrusive.
Each time she'd kindly declined, citing vague excuses or simply offering an apologetic smile.
But Jacob never seemed discouraged. If anything, his quiet persistence intrigued and flattered her, even though she had no intention of saying yes.
"Thanks, Aria," Jacob said quietly as she refilled his mug .
"You're welcome," she replied softly, noticing how carefully he slipped a five-pound note under his empty plate, always too shy to hand it to her directly.
He was an accountant-he'd told her during one of his early visits, almost apologetically, as if he felt it wasn't exciting enough to hold her attention.
But it had become clear that he'd wandered into the café out of chance, only to find a reason to keep coming back each day.
"Busy day ahead?" he ventured gently, his voice soft and unassuming.
"Always," she admitted, her eyes meeting his briefly before flickering to the clock on the wall. She had another cleaning job in Notting Hill waiting for her, and the thought made her heart sink.
"Maybe tomorrow, then?" he tried once more, hope mingling with resignation in his eyes.
Aria paused, considering him for a moment. She thought about the faint nausea she had felt after Crispin had finished this morning. A faint distaste, more at herself than him.
"Maybe..." she finally replied, surprising herself with the word that strayed from her mouth, as if it had a mind of its own .
His face brightened slightly, the faintest of blushes colouring his pale cheeks.
Aria moved away, clearing tables mechanically as she thought about her busy afternoon.
Yet, despite the ache in her feet and the exhaustion creeping in, the smallest flicker of warmth lingered in her chest, making the rest of the day's workload seem just a little less daunting.
After wiping down her tables, Aria waved goodbye to Gallen and gave Jacob a slight nod under Liz's scornful eye.
She hurried towards the tube station, leaving her bike safely locked behind.
She dashed through the station, taking the elevator two steps at a time, manoeuvring around people who carelessly stood on the left rather than the right.
It felt like an obstacle course. Breathless, she just made it onto the tube-car and sank into an empty seat, pulling out her sandwich.
She savoured each bite, enjoying the delicate balance of chicken, shaved cheese, and fresh spinach.
Across from her, a petite girl with stylish cat-eye glasses, was absorbed in a book titled "Celestial Paths: An Introduction to Astronomy.
" The title oscillated with the movements of the train as Aria carefully sounded it out in her mind.
Then she watched wistfully, wishing she could do more than merely gaze at the stars.
Yet every time she'd attempted to study, the letters seemed to dance on the page, refusing to hold still, tangling themselves in a frustrating blur.
A familiar sense of inadequacy rose within her, the struggle she had always faced in silence.
Her thoughts drifted again to Lule, who should be home today. The anticipation brought a gentle warmth, temporarily chasing away her fatigue.