Chapter 71
I continue into the shop, ready to sit down in my usual chair and prepare for another customer-free day.
"Morning Vince." Howard says.
"Morning Howard." I reply, stopping.
"Did you sleep?"
"Yes. Naboo dragged me out of bed, though. Why do we need to open at this time in the morning? We never get any customers."
"Naboo commands it to be so." He smiles. I smile back and walk towards my chair. But, when I get to it, there's someone already sat in it.
"Oh, hi, you must be our new flatmate." I begin, not paying the slightest bit of attention to the person herself. "I'm-oof!" I'm cut off mid-sentence by the most violent hug I've ever experienced. Then, as suddenly as it came, it goes. I barely have time to collect my thoughts before I realise that there's a dull ache in my cheek. "Did you just slap me?" I finally ask once I've given up trying to work out what on earth is going on.
"Yes, I did."
"Why?"
"You deserved it!"
"You hugged me, then you slapped me."
"Yes."
"I only tried to introduce myself!"
"Is he always like this in the mornings?" She asks, looking over to Howard.
"Unobservant and ineloquent? Pretty much."
"Thanks, Howard." I say to him, then turn back. "What did I do to deserve that?" She sighs impatiently.
"Think about it, Vincent." I actually look at her, trying to work out who on earth she is.