Blue at Midnight Read Online Free

door.  
    As I opened the
front door the cool, damp air washed over my face and the morning rush buzzed
through my ears. I tried to ignore the fact that I felt like a lost child
entering a booming city, filled with unknown possibilities. Rapidly, I slammed
the front door shut and marched down the street to the bus stop, which was a
two-minute walk from my house. Hopefully, this time next year I would have
saved enough money to buy myself a car. Focusing on the route ahead my eyes
were firmly fixed onto the pavement and my hands were curled up into small
fists, digging deep into the pockets of my black and grey trench coat.
    Same bus driver,
same old passengers, it’s as if the past two weeks had never occurred.
Miraculously, I had survived from drowning in the sea, my family think I’m
crazy and suicidal, yet nothing in this town seems to have changed. If I had
drowned everything would have carried on, as if I never existed. Why shouldn’t
it? I thought. People die all the time and the world just carries on, right?
    As the bus drove
closer to the high street it dawned on me that maybe this was too big an
adventure for the first day outside the house. I’d barely stepped out of my
room over the past couple of days as I didn’t want to deal with my dad’s
ignorance and my sister’s awkward silences. I needed to move forward from this
and focus on myself by getting back to work, focusing on my studies and being
around different people.  
    As the bus
slowed down to a halt, the anxiety building up within me was making it
difficult to breathe. On top of that was the nauseating stench of cigarettes,
bad breath and cheddar that flowed throughout the bus. However on a more
positive note, soon I’d be escaping this and inhaling the fresh outdoor air.

 
    With my head down, I trudged along the hectic high street decorated with
high fashion boutiques whose shop windows were enchanting, tempting me to
wander off my path and enter. Shopping without a worry in the world was
certainly more exciting than facing my boss. However, I would not be able to
relax unless I faced my fears and got this day over with.  
    Swiftly, I
approached the end of the high street. I could see Coffee Time merchandise
elegantly displayed in an outside seating area, whilst Hugo (the manager) was
skipping around the coffee house like a bluebottle. As I entered, my arrival
was summoned by a bell that blended in with the lively conversations of
customers and rustling newspapers. Surrounded by tiny, modest lighting, a
mixture of comfortable armchairs and high wooden seating areas I stood, waiting
for Hugo to catch my eye. I could have easily stormed into the stock room taken
my apron out of my locker and started serving at the coffee bar. Even though so
much had changed in my life everything in front of me was the same, yet still I
couldn’t just stroll straight in. Not without an explanation.
    “Isabelle,”
cried out a middle-aged Italian man as he gracefully floated towards me, with a
warm smile.   Startled, I responded with
an uneasy smile, absolutely petrified at the thought of having to explain my
absence, if he hadn’t heard already.
    “Hello Hugo,” I
responded timidly.
    “I’m glad you
came in to see us. How are you?” he beamed.
    “I’m fine
thanks.” This was always my automatic response to that question. There was a
slight pause as Hugo stood there smiling, waiting for me to elaborate as he
usually did.
    “Oh, I was
wondering if I’m still employed here. I know I haven’t been in work lately
but...”
    “I understand.
Your dad called. I just want you to know that we are all here to support you
but my dear, are you sure you’re ready to work?”    
    “I am definitely
ready to come back. This is exactly what I need to be doing.” My response was
firm as coming back to work was the one thing I was definitely sure about.  
    “Well if you’re
sure my dear, how about you do the evening shift tomorrow – 5:30 till