Some nights it's just impossible to sleep. Either you're looking forward to tomorrow, dreading it, or perhaps your mind just doesn't want to settle down. Whatever the reason, it can really stress you out if you know you have to wake up at a certain time. Even more so when the task that needs doing is important.
Sometimes you can get lucky and not feel tired at all, provided you avoid dim lighting and PowerPoint presentations like the plague. Fortunately for her, she was neither a student nor employed in an environment where office meetings were held.
A baker's day does, however, start very early. She'd need to be alert enough to set up the shop and prepare fresh treats for the display windows. All this and some cleaning up had to be done before the shop opened for the day. When she could hear the birds chirping outside her window, she knew there'd be no rest tonight, and decided to get up early. Lying in bed until she did fall asleep might cause her to wake up at an undesirable time.
She got dressed and had tea with her breakfast. While it wasn't coffee, there was still caffeine in it, which she was definitely going to need today. The last thing she did was to don her favourite apron before heading downstairs.
The main level was reserved for the bakery itself, whereas upstairs was the apartment where she lived. What commuter wouldn't be jealous of a person who only had to walk across the road? Nevermind a single flight of stairs.
First, she had a look around, carefully scrutinizing the cleanliness of the place. If any surface needed to be dusted or cleaned, she had to do it before putting any food out, lest something be contaminated by dust, dirt, or cleaning products. She wasn't nearly that scatterbrained, but she still wouldn't have liked to take any chances.
There were a few spots on the window that needed cleaning, and she made sure to wash the counter with a damp, soapy rag. Any surface where money is handled has the potential to house all kinds of bacteria. The last thing she wanted was for a customer to spread a cold or other kind of bug. That would be incredibly bad for business.
Next came the baking.
She loved baking and decorating delicious treats and pastries of all kinds, and even when she was groggy she still enjoyed her work. All day people would come in and have their craving centers triggered by the sights and aromas. She enjoyed them herself, and at the back of her mind she knew she'd be able to eat some of the leftovers at the end of the day.
Perhaps this wasn't as healthy a diet as she'd have liked, but she probably burned it off running around the shop and keeping everything stocked. Besides, who trusts a cook that doesn't sample their own creations?
In the midst of putting a souffle in the oven, she happened to glance at the clock, which now informed her that she still had an hour until opening. She took a seat on the stool by the cash register while she waited. She'd be standing for most of the day, but that stool was a godsend when the bakery wasn't busy, allowing her to relax and ease the ache in her feet.
Her eyes felt dry and heavy, so she rubbed them. When this didn't help, she gave in and shut her eyes for just a moment.
When she came to again, the oven timer was buzzing loudly.
″THE SOUFFLE!″
She immediately jumped up and bolted into the kitchen, hoping to rescue the delicate puff pastry from certain doom. Fortunately she did save it, but it was still a little burnt in places. She'd almost burnt herself in the process.
That would've been really bad for business.
″At least it didn't-″
*KNOCK KNOCK*
*POP*
And in one fell blow, the mighty delicacy was reduced to a lump of deflated puff pastry. She couldn't hide her disappointment when she went to see who was knocking at her window.
″Elli?″Came a familiar voice.
″Jack!″She exclaimed.
″I came by and heard a commotion inside, everything alright?″It was then he noticed the deceased pastry she was carrying. ″That was me... wasn't it?″
″Well you helped, but I burnt it first.″She said flatly. Her normally cheerful demeanor had given way to sarcasm.
″Ah...″He stifled a giggle. ″Elli?″
″Yes?″What could be so funny?
″It's your day off isn't it?.″
