Tumble Into Me - opening paragraphs
“Bloody
hell.” Liam blurted when a shadow cast against the front window of his pub
caught his attention. Completing the morning procedures to get MacKinlay’s
opened in time, he glanced up from sliding the cash float into the register
when he noticed it. Curious, he moved to the front door to peer out the window.
The only time folks occupied the patio was when the pints flowed freely, not at six thirty in the morning. Concerned, Liam pulled his smartphone from his back pocket while opening the front door, intending to call a taxi. Only, the person he discovered there wasn’t familiar, and by the grey and white floral duffel stowed beneath the seat, didn’t appear to be sleeping off the drink either. She sat with her head leaning back against the tinted front window, pink lips parted as she inhaled. Her rhythmic breathing confirmed she was sleeping out here. But why?
Liam audibly cleared his throat hoping she would stir. She didn’t, and he was about to try again when his cell phone vibrated as his timer reminded him to check the oven. He jogged to the kitchen to check on his Scottish Baps: they weren’t quite finished baking, so he reset his timer again to give them a few minutes longer.
Back out front, he glanced toward the window, with no noticeable movements of his snoozing guest, he breezed through the rest of his opening tasks: he set sausages to warm in the broiler, two electric skillets on the counter, stocked the eggs in the small fridge. Once the tables were set, he started two fresh pots of coffee. When the timer buzzed for the final time, the Baps were ready and it was time to open. Right on schedule, as usual.
Grabbing a fresh cup of coffee and warm bun, he went for the door. This time when pulling it open, the noise caused his mystery guest to stir. The young woman shuffled, raised her head slightly, but didn’t wake up.
Moving closer, Liam brought the fragrant coffee within smelling distance, hoping it would waft through her dainty nose and stimulate her sleepy senses. He cleared his throat a little louder this time and her eyes flew opened; wide eyes darted around and she jumped with a start when she saw him standing near her. Luckily his keen reflexes kicked in fast enough to avoid a scalding accident.
“Hullo,” He greeted, setting the coffee and pastry on the table in front of her as she dragged one hand through her wavy golden hair and the other down her face, watching his movements through slender fingers.
“Ye okay?” He tried again, worried she might be lost or in trouble. He didn’t know what to think; he wasn’t accustomed to having strange women show up on his door step. “Do ye speak English?” He asked when she continued staring at him in silence.
“Oh. Yes. Sorry.” Straightening, she reached for the large grey and white duffel beneath her seat.
“I didnae say to go away. I asked if ye were okay.” Before she answered he added, “Have a coffee, gather yer wits. Ye’ve clearly had a long night.”
The only time folks occupied the patio was when the pints flowed freely, not at six thirty in the morning. Concerned, Liam pulled his smartphone from his back pocket while opening the front door, intending to call a taxi. Only, the person he discovered there wasn’t familiar, and by the grey and white floral duffel stowed beneath the seat, didn’t appear to be sleeping off the drink either. She sat with her head leaning back against the tinted front window, pink lips parted as she inhaled. Her rhythmic breathing confirmed she was sleeping out here. But why?
Liam audibly cleared his throat hoping she would stir. She didn’t, and he was about to try again when his cell phone vibrated as his timer reminded him to check the oven. He jogged to the kitchen to check on his Scottish Baps: they weren’t quite finished baking, so he reset his timer again to give them a few minutes longer.
Back out front, he glanced toward the window, with no noticeable movements of his snoozing guest, he breezed through the rest of his opening tasks: he set sausages to warm in the broiler, two electric skillets on the counter, stocked the eggs in the small fridge. Once the tables were set, he started two fresh pots of coffee. When the timer buzzed for the final time, the Baps were ready and it was time to open. Right on schedule, as usual.
Grabbing a fresh cup of coffee and warm bun, he went for the door. This time when pulling it open, the noise caused his mystery guest to stir. The young woman shuffled, raised her head slightly, but didn’t wake up.
Moving closer, Liam brought the fragrant coffee within smelling distance, hoping it would waft through her dainty nose and stimulate her sleepy senses. He cleared his throat a little louder this time and her eyes flew opened; wide eyes darted around and she jumped with a start when she saw him standing near her. Luckily his keen reflexes kicked in fast enough to avoid a scalding accident.
“Hullo,” He greeted, setting the coffee and pastry on the table in front of her as she dragged one hand through her wavy golden hair and the other down her face, watching his movements through slender fingers.
“Ye okay?” He tried again, worried she might be lost or in trouble. He didn’t know what to think; he wasn’t accustomed to having strange women show up on his door step. “Do ye speak English?” He asked when she continued staring at him in silence.
“Oh. Yes. Sorry.” Straightening, she reached for the large grey and white duffel beneath her seat.
“I didnae say to go away. I asked if ye were okay.” Before she answered he added, “Have a coffee, gather yer wits. Ye’ve clearly had a long night.”