Note: Here's chapter 10! A very special thanks to Austra, Eruanna Undomiel, and Morgan Jacobs for your amazing reviews! Thanks so much!
A Change of Time Chapter 10 - The Back Room
Sharron stood behind the counter, wiping the wooden surface down with a dusty rag. They had been fortunate to have quite an inflow of customers before lunch, but now the numbers were beginning to dwindle.
Sharron really enjoyed the job. There was time when there weren't any customers, and no cleaning to be done, when she could just drift into her own thoughts, and try to figure out this whole time travel mystery. She didn't consider herself a science genius like her father, but she did have more then half a brain. She had eventually grown mentally tired, and looked for small tasks she had happened to miss. Perhaps she would bring a book next time.
Mrs. Denville walked from the back room, untying her apron and hanging it on a peg. "I'm going to pick up some lunch for us," the woman said, her face scarlet from the heat of the oven. "If someone comes in, I've got most any cakes or breads they may want. If the food they're requirin' ain't under the counter, then it'll be in the back. If someone is wantin' to make an order for later, just write their name on the tablet," she said swiftly, indicating a pad of paper laying on the counter, alongside a pen.
Sharron could hardly hide her surprise. "You trust me to take care of the shop?"
Mrs. Denville laughed. "I wouldna have asked ya if I dinna trust ya!" she said.
"Well.. I don't really know how to use a cash register," Sharron admitted tentatively, gesturing towards the old crank handle machine sitting on the counter.
"Well, I'll teach ya then," Mrs. Denville said pleasantly, waving off the matter. In a few short minutes time, Sharron understood the mechanics of the old device rather well, and she patted the handle happily. She grinned at Mrs. Denville, very much pleased, and the older woman couldn't help but smile back.
"I'll take good care of the shop while you're gone," Sharron promised, as out of the corner of her eye, she saw the rag almost beckoning to her. She was surprised to find that her fingers were just itching to take up the cleaning tool, and find any spots that didn't gleam with cleanliness.
"Good. Well, I will see ya soon lass. Remember how to work the register!"
"I will," the girl replied certainly. The woman nodded once again, lingered a moment, than finally pushed open the door as the bells tinkled merrily.
Sharron picked up the smudgy cloth, and stared at the glass front of the counter, behind which sat the prettiest tea cakes, nicest muffins, and most tantalizing sweetbreads you ever laid eyes on.
The glass could use a polishing, she decided, glancing at the rag she clutched. But not with this dirty old thing.
Sharron deliberated for a moment. There might be some rags in the back, she speculated, tucking the cloth into a drawer attached to the backside of the counter. Sharron started into the back room hesitantly. Surely Mrs. Denville wouldn't mind. After all, she had said that anything a customer would need that was not found in the display case, would quite likely be in the back.
Inhaling the scent of hot bakes goods, feeling the heat touch her exposed skin, Sharron stepped into the room. Looking around, she blinked a few times, Two large ovens sat against the back wall, and though the heat wasn't at its greatest, it was still sweat inducing. Against another wall were the excess baked goods, most of which sat atop stone bread warmers, as customers rather liked their food hot. Sharron figured that the stones were placed in the ovens to be heated, thus making them effective. Beside the variety of cakes and breads was brown wrapping paper, and string.
Despite the heat, and the fact that there were no windows, Sharron found she rather liked it here. The strong, pleasant blend of hot bread, honey, cinnamon, and all other flavors attacked Sharron's senses in the best way. Here, with the smell of fine cooking all around her, the girl almost fancied she was back in the kitchen with her mother; baking a loaf of bread, or a chocolate cake for Maddy's birthday. Sharron turned from the sight, and quickly wiped at a tear that had mingled with a drop of sweat rolling down her cheek.
Do no dwell on the past, she told herself. Even if the present is painful.
"Now, where would a rag be?" she asked aloud, scanning the entirety of the room until her eyes rested on a cabinet set against the last remaining wall. It was a fine cabinet; tall and stately, made of sound wood, and stained a dark, pleasing shade of brown. Sharron tapped the glossy surface thoughtfully. Would it be an invasion of privacy to search inside? Oh, I hope Mrs. Denville won't mind! She first opened one of the doors that had delicate carvings running up and down along the sides. Sharron took the contents in quickly; piles of letters, tied together by varying lengths of twins, some photographs of a young woman who might have been Mrs. Denville, and a young gentleman around the same age.
Sharron closed the doors, an uncomfortable feeling settling in the pit of her stomach that said if she continued looking at these things she would be invading her employer's privacy. Sharron stared at two drawers beneath the doors, wondering to herself if she should take a peek, and continue her search. Making up her mind, Sharron pulled open the bottom drawer to reveal sewing supplies of all sorts: Thread, needles, even some fabric. Pushing the door shut, Sharron pulled open the one above it. She let a satisfied smile grow on her lips as she surveyed the drawers contents. Contained inside was a feather duster, several rags, and other such useful tools, including a large brush for if any painting was required.
Sharron snatched up one of the clean rags, and tucked it into her pocket. Just then, she heard the jangling of bells. A customer! she thought frantically, hurrying towards the front of the shop.
X-X-X
"Con men taking over- how to protect yourself from the tricksters!" Scrap yelled, animatedly waving a paper over his head. Maddy sat on a small crate they had discovered in an alley with her chin propped on her hand. Her eyes darted to and fro, studying those milling about. She glanced across the street, and a shiver danced up her spine. A man in a long trench coat and fedora stood like a statue, watching, cigarette clenched in his teeth, arms crossed. Maddy shivered. She didn't like the man or his stare.
Scrap shoved his old cap back, wiping his forehead, before glancing down at Maddy. "You okay?" he asked at her expression, concern lacing his voice.
"Yeah," she said, pulling her eyes away from the strange man. "There's just some guy staring at me.."
"What?" Scrap glanced around, but failed to find anyone dressed abnormally or staring, except for Maddy herself. "Well, he's gone now. Don't worry.. you're safe with me."
Maddy grinned at him. "I know."
X-X-X
He melted into the background, ignoring the congested crowd. There were too many people around.. the timing wasn't right. The little newsboy would be easy enough to handle, but it would have to happen later. He would come back though, it was only a matter of time.
Note: Any thoughts?
Important! The voting is about to start for the Newsies Summer Reading List Fanfiction Awards, the link is on my profile. Also, nominations are happening NOW for the NYNA. I would be so honored to be nominated! This link is also on my profile.
Story to read: Newsie Letters by Eruanna Undomiel (and myself) :P