Everything she writes...in February: Short Story # 8

Do you love cupcakes?
Because I do...I love the frosting, the colours, the various little savoury things cake designers put on top, you know candies, chocolate chips, sparkles and so many other treats.
When I stand in front of the window, I always struggle about deciding what to take.
Something girly or will it be neutral cupcakes so that the boys will not feel left aside.
Usually, I end up with a full box of Hello Kitty, Batman, Rainbows and chocolate.
Here is a story about cupcakes, tea and love...Enjoy reading.

Disclaimer: As usual, do not copy or claim the story do be yours.
Story, settings and characters belong to me.

Tea and Cupcakes

Henry ran up the stairs and quickly exited Piccadilly Circus Station. Tourists and shoppers crammed the street. Henry sighed in frustration as he realised that he was going to be late. He broke in a run in the direction of Leicester square and tried not to bump into the passers-by. Turning on the left, he went passed the China Town Gate and walked speedily up the street in the direction of St Anne's Churchyard. People were already gathering in front of the various restaurants, especially tourists, and they were probably wondering what and where to eat on this Friday evening. It was early though and Henry hoped that she was still at the bakery.

"This is wishful thinking at its best", he thought.

If only he had not answered this last phone call at the office, he would not be running and praying at the same time. He only had Fridays as an opportunity to see her. It seemed that she only worked on Fridays and that she finished her service at 6.00 pm even if the bakery was open until 8.00 pm. 

Henry was not a coward, not really. But he was painfully shy to the point where his colleagues thought that his face was reddish at all time. He never spoke without first thinking hard about what to say and how to say it. Working in a team was a challenge, making presentations was like stepping into the ring of a boxing fight. His long-time friends made fun of him whenever they saw him fall for a girl because they knew that it would be a cold day in hell before Henry could find the inner courage of walking to a girl and talk to her.

Nonetheless, Henri had decided this very morning that today was to be the day. He was going to talk to her and invite her out, or so he hoped it to happen. He had spent so many hours rehearsing in his head the many scenarios he had invented for a casual conversation. He knew her name, Stella, since it was written in cute pink letters on her apron. And he knew that the pink bike set close to the entrance of the shop was hers. She had a sweet voice and green eyes that looked straight to people's face. Her auburn hair was curly and always in a high pony-tail. Her smile always sent him rocketing and he had to concentrate hard when her gaze fell on him.

Henry had tried before to have a small chat with her but his shyness always got him into trouble. More often than not he left the shop with plenty of cupcakes he had not planned buying and in so large quantities that his flatmates were always happy when he finally reached their shared flat at the end of the day. While in the queue, he watched her closely to hunt down little details about her, while at the same time thinking hard about what he was going to order. The longer his order was the longer his opportunity was to pretend that it was only him and her in the shop. And how much he thanked the display for that. The choice was endless: normal preparation, vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, even egg-free, with chocolate chips, with cookies, with candies...the colours went from white to black without forgetting the rainbow cupcakes.

-          - Hey, watch out, man!

Henry almost bumped into a group of tourists and stopped to look at his watch. Two minutes. He had two minutes left to reach the shop and try his luck.

"It has to be today", he thought. "Come on, Henry. You can do it."

Catching his breath, he started walking speedily up the street again and tried not to think on the sweat he felt dripping on his back.

At last, he saw the shop sign and walked even faster, full of hopes. The pink bike was in sight and so was a figure standing close to it.

“Oh no, please, wait for me, he silently cried.

Slowly, he saw her turn to face him as she stood next to her pink bike and a huge smile grew on her face. Stunned, he stopped at the crossway and looked at her, once again struck by her beauty. He noticed the box she had in her hands. He knew the box well since he left the shop with the same box every Friday, a box full of cupcakes. Patiently, she waited for him to cross and when it was done, she walked the few steps towards him and blushed struggling to find her words. Henry felt the bubbles and butterflies fighting in his belly and heart as the red patches flowered all over her face. 

- I was afraid you might not be on time to pick up your box, she tentatively said, I boxed the ones you prefer. 

And with that she raised the box to him. Henry's brain quickly took over and his hands reached the box and touched her hands at the same time. Suddenly, he heard a voice speak with full clarity and without any hesitation.

- Well, thank you. Would you like to eat some with me in front of a cup of tea? was Henry's answer, much to his own surprise. I know a place not far from here.

He felt his cheeks burning and his whole body trembled as he hoped for a positive answer. What is too late for a prayer? These few seconds lasted like an eternity full of hopes. His heart exploded as she nodded and smiled.