"Good evening River!" The voice chirped, making River flinch for a moment before a calming smile settled on her face. She looked up to greet the young woman in front of her.
The bright-eyed brunette always seemed to be in a chirpy mood. In the short time River had known her, ever since she moved to Leadworth, there had not been a single day when she'd seen a frown on this young girl's face. There was always a positive aura around this girl that cheered River up on her worst days. Like today.
"Good evening Clara" Smiling at the girl, River walked towards 'her' table. Yes she had a table. She had been a regular at this place for just around 3 months but she already had a place for herself. The best one. Just by the window. One which allowed her to enjoy the solitude. To relax, gather herself before she had to face life again. She liked her place. Even though she spent a little time here that table felt like her zone. The cafe was usually empty around this time yet River preferred to walk over directly to her place.
"What's the matter River ?" Clara asked, setting River's cup of tea in front of her. River was surprised how well Clara knew what she liked. It didn't take long for the girl to acquaint herself with River's choice when it came to how she took her tea. River knew that it was all a part of the job description for Clara yet it felt nice.
"The usual" River huffed. Clara sat in front of her while keeping a good enough look at the counter to make sure not miss out on any customers. Leadworth was a small town. It was nice and comfortable to live here, people knew each other pretty well and this cafe was a favourite around here, so people knew Clara well enough to leave thinking that no one was around to attend to them on seeing an empty counter.
"Don't tell me! Again?" The shock and surprise on Clara's face made River chuckle for a moment and then she nodded confirming the girl's thoughts.
"Wow! I can't believe this. How does this girl get to manage into trouble every other day ?"
"I have no idea Clara" River shook her head in response and added "She is being really tough to handle these days"
"Teenage rebellion phase?" Clara grinned making River smile. It was nice to have someone like Clara around. She wasn't really familiar with the place yet and didn't know a lot of people, so it was nice to have someone to talk too.
"She's going through a phase. Us moving here, leaving our life out there. She's taking time to adjust I guess. She just misses home." River replied.
"She'll come around, but right now I know what you need. Danny's baked fresh batch of cookies, I'll get some for you" Clara got up but stopped when she heard River.
"I wouldn't mind cookies but I'd really kill for a Chocolate-Apple donut"
"I know dear but apparently, you're a tad bit late, the last batch just went out of stock"
"Again?! Is it him. Wait don't tell, it's him again isn't it ?"
Clara nodded trying to stop from laughing.
"What has he got against me ? Every time I want to have them, he manages to come before me and buys the last of the stock. Is he stalking me or what ? How does he even know me ? Who is he?"
"Calm down River" Clara said now almost on the verge of a full blown laughter looking at her friend's current state.
"How can I ? and you should have kept atleast one of those donuts aside for me"
"Oh I promise I did. Danny was at the counter when he came. I had warned Danny to keep one for you incase you come here, but your 'admirer' seemed to be stubborn to buy the last 3 donuts instead of his usual two."
"Admirer" River huffed and added "seems more like enemy. I haven't been here for even 4 months and I already have an enemy and I don't have the faintest idea who he is"
"He seems to be a new guy too. Haven't seen him around much before. You know what ? I'll ask Donna whether she has any idea, she is always up to date with the latest happenings in Leadworth"
"No, let it be. I'd rather not know him, than to find out who he is and go and confront him" River waved her hand refusing.
"Ok. I'll better get back to the counter. Enjoy your tea River and don't worry, Rory would get adjust to Leadworth soon" Clara smiled and left.
River sipped her tea looking out the window hoping that's what happens. Aurora was not a girl who got into trouble much. She was a prankster, she was mischievous and always up to something but she rarely got into trouble. She never had a tough time making friends. Just like her dad but ever since they moved to Leadworth she seemed to have trouble. Getting into unnecessary fights especially with another girl from her school and because of this River and that girl's, Jenny, River reminded herself of that girl's name, father had to meet every other day at the Principal's office. 'The Grey haired Scottish guy with the massive eyebrows' as River thought of Jenny's dad always carried a frown on his face and believed his daughter never caused trouble, and River always came in defence of her daughter. No one got to blame her kid. Never. Thanks to this Mr. Frowny Face and River always had an unpleasant argument whenever they met, which seemed to happen regularly these days at the Principal's office. Today however Martha Jones, Principal of Cole Hill School had warned them both that if their kids didn't resolve their issues soon enough strict action would have to be taken. If only her daughter would tell her what the issue was.
River finished her tea and got up from her table. She'd have to talk to her daughter. Heart to heart conversation. These were the moments when she really missed having John in her life. He always was better at these heart to hearts. Aurora was always her father's daughter. Losing him changed her, changed both of them but River knew that things were gonna be like this. They weren't going to change anytime soon and so she'll have to talk to her daughter, find out what's troubling her and work on them.
She left money on the table and was just about to exit when she heard a voice behind her causing her to stop.
Danny came running up to her carrying a box.
"Here you go River, Rory loves these cookies, will help the kid cheer up" he said handing over the box to River.
"Thank you dear. You're amazing" River smiled warmy at the gesture, opening her purse to pay for the cookies.
"I'm not taking any money River if that's what you're about to do. This is on the house. Rory's now a Leadworth kid and we hate to see one of them sad and Clara will have my head if I make you pay for these"
River laughed "You're an angel Danny. Clara's lucky to have you"
Danny blushed and rubbed the back of his neck "It's really the other way round" He smiled.
River bid goodbye and exited the cafe. It's gonna be a tough dinner time tonight.
