Jack and Florence descended the steps towards the jeep, feeling the summer sea air fill their souls. It didn't feel like midnight, not when the breeze was so warm, and fireflies danced across the sky. Florence jumped in the driver's seat, with Jack next to her, knowing their positions so well. They slid in like hands to a glove.
Florence started the jeep, pulling out onto the road and driving down towards the high street.
"Where do you want to go?" asked Jack.
"The only place that is open this late is Ritchie's," replied Florence. "That's where I usually go to get coffee at midnight."
"Is this a regular thing?" asked Jack. Florence nodded. "No wonder you've got insomnia," he said, dryly.
Florence suppressed a laugh. "More places should be open at night, in my opinion," she said, as they passed all the closed shops. "Everything is more fun at night."
"I sort of feel like you can get away with anything at night," Jack mused.
"Like murder?" Florence laughed, cocking an eyebrow.
Jack laughed heartily in response. "I suppose so, yeah," he said, trailing off and watching the shadowy shapes dance across the street. "By the time the sun comes up, something changes."
"It's almost like the night never existed to begin with," continued Florence.
Jack turned and looked at her, marvelling at her, taking in her words that affected him with deep clarity. "I always find at night because everything is quiet, I can think better. I understand more of my soul. I start to make sense of what I find confusing." Florence looked up, with Jack still looking at her, drinking her in.
"Yeah," was all he could say, as he looked away nervously.
Florence pulled into a parking space next to Ritchie's and fixed the hand break. "What do you want? I can run in," she said, thumbing to the shop.
"I'll come with you," said Jack, undoing his seatbelt and hopping out. Florence turned off the car and followed him inside.
Ritchie's was a convenience store, open till late, that had a small barista station at the back. Florence weaved through the aisles of crisps and soft drinks, the harshness of the artificial light contrasting with the dull glow of moonlight outside. "Two coffees, please," said Florence, as they approached the counter. "One black americano, one caramel latte."
"Which one is for me?" Jack asked as he stood next to her.
"The caramel latte. With your sweet tooth, trust me, you'll like it," nodded Florence.
The server got to work, making their coffees.
"Siobhan always gets me something fancy whenever we go out for coffee. She never tells me what the fancy name for it is, but I always say that if it's got sugar and caffeine in it then I'll drink it. Hell, hook me up to an IV drip," mused Jack, looking around the shop.
Florence hovered her card in front of the machine the server held out for her.
"Let me get these," Jack told her, fumbling in his pockets.
"You can get the next ones," replied Florence, as she tapped her card. "Coffee was never good for insomnia," she joked.