Writing for Fun
July 2019
Cash and Champagne - Lynn Gale
He arrived at the cafe every day at the same time, sat at the same table near the window and al-ways ordered a large coffee and two slices of toast with jam and butter.
The waiter came over to his table. ‘Good afternoon Mr Defresne, how are you today?’
The old man looked up at the tall young man he had got to know so well.
‘As bright as the sun, and as free as the wind. Thank you for enquiring Jordan.’
Jordan smiled, even though he had heard it many times before. ‘Your usual Mr Defresne?’
‘Please Jordan.’
Henry Defresne looked out onto the High Street, there seemed to be more boarded up shops than ever. Those that were still open had closing down sales stickers plastered across the windows. He watched as people rushed about, heads down ignoring everyone around them. ‘All so busy,’ he mused. ‘Nobody talks to each other anymore.’
Jordan brought the coffee and toast over. ‘Anything else for you today?’
‘No thank you Jordan.’
Taking a sachet of sugar from the bowl on the table, he poured it into his coffee, stirring absent-mindedly he thought of his daughter in Australia; how he missed his only child. ‘I’ll be back to see you dad as soon as I can,’ she promised on the day of her mother’s funeral. That was five years ago, and although there were regular phone calls, Katie had never been able to afford the fare.
Jordan came over to clear the table.
‘How’s your uni fund going Jordan?’
Henry knew the young man worked long hours in the cafe to put himself through university. His dream was to be an illustrator but as the eldest of five boys his widowed mother could not help.
‘Getting there Mr Defresne, my loan request has been accepted,’ he said, wiping down the blue plastic table. ‘Just need money for my accommodation.’
‘Any news of when your daughter can visit?’
‘No, Katie’s husband has been laid off and they are living off their savings for now.’
Jordan shook his head sadly, he knew how much his friend wanted to see his family.
Henry stood up brushing crumbs off his coat and headed towards the door.
‘See you tomorrow Jordan.’
‘Don’t forget this,’ Jordan reached behind the counter bringing out a paper bag containing several slices of yesterday’s bread.
‘Oh yes, those ducks will be waiting for me, thank you.’
Henry left the cafe and headed towards the park.
Jordan watched him leave then collected a broom to sweep the floor. Three hours until closing he sighed.
Henry spent the next couple of hours being chased by ducks along with a few hungry geese. Sit-ting on the graffiti strewn bench he smiled as he watched them squabbling over the last of the breadcrumbs. As the winter sun began to set and the shadows lengthened giving the park an air of menace, he knew it was time to leave.
Heading home he dropped into Sami’s Supermarket to pick up a microwave meal and the local paper. Sami the owner was just putting a new roll of scratch cards into the display unit, taking out the last card of the old batch. On impulse Henry took out an extra pound. ‘Let me have that odd one Sami,’ he said putting the money on the counter.
‘Not like you Henry.’ Sami handed over the card. ‘You feeling lucky?’
‘Maybe, my luck has to change one day.’ Henri laughed.
Walking onto the Brewers estate he hurried past a gang of hooded youths gathered in a huddle. One turned aggressively towards Henry before deciding he was no threat and carried on exchang-ing small packets for cash.
Henry opened the door to his small ground floor flat. Once inside he pushed bolts into place and closed the curtains shutting out the loud voices and revving car engines outside. While the lasagna heated he opened the paper. The scratch card fluttered to the floor. ‘Waste of money’ he tutted as he picked it up.
Two weeks later, Jordan, on opening the café, found an envelope pushed under the door. Sur-prised to see his name on the front he tore it open. It contained a cheque for £20,000 along with a handwritten note: Dear Jordan be as bright as the sun and as free as the wind, live your dream. Love Henry Defresne.
Meanwhile in the business class section on a flight heading to Sydney, Henry thanked the attrac-tive air hostess as she topped up his champagne.