Chapter #102The Backup Brother by: imaj   “Can you clean up that table there Penny,” asks the other barista flatly. That’s the name you’ve taken since returning to Saratoga falls. It's what the two young women you share a cheap and poky apartment in the town centre know you as, and it’s what the rest of the staff at the Crystal Cave know you as.
You consider briefly telling the other barista to clean it herself. A glance in her direction shows that she’s cleaning the espresso machine. Or, more likely given her character, she’s pretending to clean the espresso machine. “Sure thing Leanne,” you say cheerfully. It’s early evening and your shift is nearly over anyway. You don’t want the bother of an argument with your lazy co-worker.
You start mopping the table. The Crystal Cave is quiet right now, so at least it's something to keep you busy. You've been here nearly a week, and still no sign of Frank or Joe, but Rick’s advice of being patient weighs in your mind. There’s no rush.
The door opens as you carry a tray full of used mugs back behind the counter. Finally, after a long wait, it’s them. Frank and Joe walk into the Crystal Cave and sit themselves at the table you just cleaned. You set the tray of messy crockery down. Leanne is still busy pretending to clean the machine, so you have a little time. You check out your reflection in one of the other coffee machines: Your hair, your makeup, you face, everything is perfect. Grabbing your little notebook, you get ready to take the boys’ order.
What the fuck?
Frank and Joe have been joined by someone else, a girl about your own age. You watch with mounting horror as she slides into the seat next to Joe. Joe wraps an arm round her. They kiss briefly and Frank looks in the other direction while Joe and the mystery girl stare into each other’s eyes.
You study this girl who has unknowingly put a spanner in the works of your plan, trying to work out what Joe sees in her. It can’t be her looks, she seems average at best: She’s tall and gangly, almost ungainly. Her woollen jumper sits loosely on her, somehow leaving you with the impression of a little girl who’s still to grow into her clothes. Straw blonde hair stretches down to the small of her back – Hélène’s instincts tell you she would benefit from the attentions of a stylist. She moves as if she is unsure of herself but then you catch a flash of her eyes. Warm brown eyes stare back at you through large, almost perfectly round glasses with a thick tortoiseshell rim.
Maybe you understand a little why Joe might get lost in those eyes.
“Oh, sorry,” you say. “I was dreaming. I’ll be over in a second.” The girls smiles nervously and you pick up a pen and walk over to their table. “Hi, I’m Penny” you explain, pointing cheerfully at the little badge on your chest which also reads ‘Hi, I’m Penny’.
You are thinking furiously, trying to work out how to turn this one round. Knock out the mystery girl and take her place? Maybe later, it’s not something you should do in haste. Joe mutters something and Frank scowls at him. Ah! Play on the sibling rivalry of course.
“So what can I get you guys,” you ask smiling at each in turn. You save the biggest smile for Frank and dip a little as you smile at him, giving him a quick flash of your cleavage. Frank’s neck flushes a deep red, but the blush doesn’t quite reach his face. You take their orders – a black coffee for Frank, a white coffee for the girl and Joe orders some bizarre confection of coffee, chocolate and caramel that’s going to be a pain to make. He also orders a slice of pie, earning himself a nudge from the girl and another scowl from Frank.
You retreat behind the counter and start making their orders. Once the coffee machine is on, you sidle over to Leanne. “Don’t you think that guy is cute,” you whisper to her, looking at Frank and Joe’s table. Your co-worker follows your gaze. “The one with the dark hair I mean,” you add. Joe is looking at the pair of you right now, but that is entirely the point.
“Yeah, whatever,” replies your apathetic co-worker. Not that you care what she thinks, right now it’s all about playing the part. Joe turns back round laughing. You can see Frank grimace. You get back to preparing the order, sneaking a peek at Frank every so often – and making sure Joe spots you doing so.
Once everything is ready you fit it all on a tray and carry it over to the boys’ table. You dump the pie in front of Joe haphazardly, earning yourself a small smile from Frank. When it comes to handing Frank his coffee, you let your hand linger a little as you place it in front of him. His hand brushes yours and you lock eyes with him. You hold his gaze for a brief second before looking away shyly.
“Excuse me,” you say, picking up the tray and walking away. A little part of you is surprised that you know how well to play this part. From what you remember of reading Hélène’s story, behaving like this almost comes naturally to her. You must have picked up a little more of her than you thought.
“Penny,” calls Joe behind you.
You turn back round and hold the tray demurely in front of you. “Is everything ok,” you ask.
“I thought you might like to join us,” says Joe with a smile. Frank scowls at him.
You let a little flash of excitement play across your face before looking downcast. “I’d like to,” you say, looking at your feet. “But I’m not really allowed to while I’m working.” You look up and smile faintly.
Joe looks round the Crystal Cave. It’s empty now, no one except Joe, Frank, the mystery girl and your co-worker Leanne. “Hey,” he shouts to Leanne. “Penny says she’s not feeling well and is going home.”
“Whatever,” comes Leanne’s uncaring voice from behind the counter. You never thought you’d be grateful for her complete disinterest in everything.
“There,” says Joe. “Now you aren’t working, so come sit with us.
You let your smile widen as you place the tray back on the counter. Frank shifts up to let you sit next to him. You slide into place beside Frank and offer one of Hélène’s most dazzling smiles to him. He can only smile weakly in return.
“So who are your friends,” you ask Joe. Your determined not make the same slip up you made on the flight to London and show more knowledge than you should have.
“I’m Joe,” explains Joe. “This is Rosalie…” he adds pointing to the mystery girl.
“Hi,” says Rosalie with a nervous looking grin. You wave back at her.
“…and this is actually my brother Frank,” finishes Joe.
“Wow,” you reply. “You two look nothing like each other, I’d never have guessed you were related.”
“It’s because we’re the result of a genetic experiment gone horribly wrong,” explains Joe hammily. “Luckily I got all the handsome and smart genes.”
You’ve a decision to make here, you realise. You could play along with Joe as he jokes away, but you could equally ingratiate yourself with Frank by feigning ignorance. Although your original plan was to use Hélène’s face to get close to Joe, the fragment of her instinct you carry with you tells you that Frank is the easier target now.
You stare at Joe blankly.
“Ignore my brother,” says Frank calmly. You turn to face him and raise an eyebrow. “He was dropped on his head when he was little,” explains Frank with a slight shrug. “Repeatedly.” You let yourself smile at that, and are rewarded by a little crack in Frank’s cool façade.
You turn back to Joe, who is feigning that this little exchange has hurt him. He looks at you with puppy dog eyes. “Is he always like this,” you ask Frank.
“Sometimes I’m worse,” interrupts Joe, the agonised expression vanishing suddenly. He waggles his eyebrows suggestively.
“He is,” sighs Frank. He looks at you critically. “You’re new here aren’t you,” he asks, with just an edge of suspicion.
“Yes,” you reply. “Actually, I just moved to Saratoga Falls recently,” you explain. Out of the corner of your eye, you can see Joe shovelling the pie into his mouth.
“How are you finding it,” he asks, taking a sip of his coffee. Definitely suspicious.
“Oh it’s nice enough,” you reply. “The people are really friendly.”
Frank stands up. “Excuse me, I have to use the rest room.”
You move out to let him by. As he passes you he stumbles. His hand brushes your face as he tries to regain his balance. He murmurs something quietly, which you instantly recognise as the words to remove a mask. You feign ignorance, though on the inside you want to laugh. He must have thought you were Blackwell. “Are you ok,” you ask politely.
“I’m fine now,” he says before disappearing to the restrooms. When he returns, he is much friendlier and you talk a little about your background. It’s all lies of course. You made it up last week just in case you needed it.
“Me and Rosalie are going for a walk,” interrupts Joe, jumping to his feet. He grabs Rosalie by the hand and starts pulling her up from her seat.
“Leaving me to pay the bill,” says Frank with a touch of bitterness.
“What’s that,” says Joe. “I’m sorry I can’t hear you.” Rosalie titters nervously. Joe heads for the door urgently, pulling her along behind him.
“Typical,” mutters Frank.
Rosalie comes back to the table, ignoring Joe – he’s standing at the door shouting for her to come over. She places a few bills on the table before looking at you both for a second. Rosalie bites her lip nervously. “You two look kind of cute together,” she says quickly before turning and running back to Joe.
You and Frank look at each other, both of you blushing.
“So… uh…” you say hesitantly. “Want to catch a movie or something?”   indicates the next chapter needs to be written. |
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