London seemed to bubble away in the background as you sat at your desk. Your morning coffee had gone cold while it sat there unattended. Your thoughts were elsewhere as you started at the computer screen, analytical data staring back at you, begging to be done. Slowly you hand a hand through your hair, loosening it from its pony tail before completely letting it down, grazing your shoulders. It was nearly home as dictated by the little clock on your computer, your fingers ached as you forced them to type out data and quite frankly you didn't massively care about. You thought doing marketing would lead you to do the things you were passionate about, talking to people and understanding what they wanted… from products, so not overly your passion, but it fell into that category.
A pop-up appeared in the bottom of the screen
NEW MESSAGE
EMILY SPRING
Bored: Coffee?
Emily was 3 offices away yet she seemed to be in tune with your inner craving. You replied to the email with a simple ! before hitting the send button. Casually you scrapped your hair back up into a messy pony tail and straightened your shirt. 2 minutes left. Slowly and descretly you try and shove things into you hand bang so you can make a speedy get away in search of Emily and the precious coffee. You see the time has gone past quickly and you stand up, slipping your boots back on. You always took your shoes off when you were at work. Wearing heels was an office must, but wearing them at the desk was more optional than people believe. Quickly tottering out of the office you make your way down the hallway until you finally reach the lift. Waiting in the throng of people is Emily. Her hair is redder than usual today, a sure sign she has dyed it… also a sure sign that she is planning on going out later and most likely dragging you with her. Her round face seems to light up as she notices your approach. She has naturally lightly tanned skin which has always made you look even paler when stood next to her. Her baggy Adventure Time top was tucked into the waist band of her pencil skirt. "I've always wondered, how the heck have you been able to get away with dressing like that at work?" You ask as you subconsciously tuck at your skirt, it was nowhere near as figure hugging as hers. "Because I'm gorgeous and all blokes in this place wanna fuck me?" She glanced at you and winked, her smile spreading to her eyes. A few people in front turned around at her comment, throwing her disapproving glances. You grinned despite yourself and moved closer to her as the lift doors opened, allowing those desperate to leave the office to flee. You linked arms together and patiently waited for the lift to start moving. No one spoke in the lift, that kind of conversation wasn't considered exactly normal. Unless of course you were Emily, who was quiet happily chattering away to you about this new "totally fabulous" independent coffee shop that had opened up just around the corner from the flat in Soho. You were mentally going through your weekly food shopping list as she dragged you out the building and round the corner. There are several problems with living in London, the tourists, the traffic and the ability to get a taxi at 1 am when your tights were ripped to name just a few. The worst one though is the Friday night office escape, where all those who work 9-5 week days make a dash on a Friday evening to freedom. Emily dragged you through other office workers, some you recognised and some you didn't. The tube was packed already, filled with people in suits, teens in very little clothing giggling together and couples sitting holding hands. You held onto the pole in the middle of the carriage, it was warm from someone else's body heat. You silently thanked them for that little unexpected pleasure, while subconsciously wiping your hand upon exiting the train.
The shop looked very normal from the outside. Steamy window, large letters saying "SOHO TEA – BETTER THAN YOU'D EXPECT" in large red letters. Typical advertising for the area, it was the creative hub of London, both sexual and explosive at the same time. Emily pulled you inside, finally allowing your arm to drop. Inside the shop it was warm, warmer than the office. The smell of coffee mingled with pastries filled the air, making you breathe deeply, just to fill your lungs with the scent. The shop itself was dark, light by several lamps which emitted an orange glow over the seats. There were several tables, all wooden, surrounded by chairs which had cushions on them. The lights cast dancing orange blurs over the cakes cabinet at the far end of the shop, towards which Emily was heading. Obediently you followed, your hand resting on your handbag as you weaved between the tables and chairs that were occupied. "I hear this place makes the best coffee! I'm so excited, oh my lord I wonder if they have caramel syrup! I totally need some of that shit in me right now." Emily babbled happily, in her element surrounded by the smell off coffee and the warm atmosphere. You smiled faintly, your attention drawn to the cakes. Dark chocolate icing seemed to cling to the side of a massive slab of cake, small scones lay balanced perfectly upon one another and croissant's lay, their pastry a golden brown in the display lights.
There was a sound from behind you and you glanced over you shoulder, just in time to see a man trip over a chair leg and fall straight into you. You staggered, bumping into Emily. Your arms automatically went round the person in order to steady yourself and him, however, your combined weights caused the pair of you to go crashing to the floor. A searing pain went through your backside as you landed heavily on the wooden floor.
"Oh my god, I am SO sorry!" the man spluttered. Sitting on the floor, the stranger was half lying on top of you, half sitting in your lap. He straightened immediately and pushed himself up. He wore skinny jeans and a plain black t-shirt with an ordinary navy hoodie over the top. You blink several times trying to catch your breath and focus on not blushing. "Its-its alright" you manage to say before a couple of hands help you to your feet. You notice that it was the stranger who pulled you up from the front and Emily pushing you up from behind. You laugh, faking a smile because you know if you don't laugh about it, you might cry with embarrassment. You look at his face. Hes lightly tanned, like Emily and has one of those daft emo haircuts that went out of fashion in 2008, but it suits him, framing his face. His dark eyes scan yours as though looking for something. Your ears start to burn. "Are you alright?" He says, his voice laced with concern. You blink back tears but defiantly look him in the face and grin. "Yeah I'm good, ass is abit sore but I'll survive." He seems to relax a little and he exhales. "Well, er… sorry about that." He says, glancing over your head to the front of the counter. "Sorry, they always know to get my order when I come in so…"
"oh sorry.." You mumble as you move out of his way. He gets to the front and grabs a take away cup that is handed to him. He catches your eye as he walks back towards the entrance of the shop. "Sorry.." he muttered again, glancing down at the floor before he exited SOHO TEA.
"So that's your claim to fame then!" Emily chirped from in front of you, grinning. Your tea ordered, you sat beside her on one of the avalible chairs at a small table near the front of the shop. The soft cushions didn't do anything to ease the ache in your ass. "I'm sorry?" You ask, warming your hands around your cup. "You essentially just got run over by The DanIsNotOnFire, Dan Howell!"