searched her bedside table so she could turn off her

ds before she finally dragged up, her eyes were still clos

ead start because she had to walk down to her first job of the day and

nn greeted Mr Thompson, who seemed to be in an oddly good mood. Maybe this was her chance. Maybe if she asked

song as he started towards the back of the coffee shop where his office was. T

hand was fisted by her side, hope was the only thing left in her h

ediately went on to explain to him why she needed an advance. Her eyes were sh

ently. You have been a diligent

rd this response. "Thank you so much, sir..." She said happily as a smi

went about her morning. She had a good feeling about the day

office workers from the buildings across the street. It was

tray of steaming hot coffee, her fingers trembling slightly as she navigated through the sea of suits and briefcases, who didn't pay any mind to her. "T

er concentration and just as she was about to take her final steps she lost her balance sending the tea cups flying out of the tray in different directions.

in her rib cages in fear as she frantically searched for napkins to minimise the damage she had

thet

of embarrassment wash over her, her face burning with shame, as most eyes were o

. People make mistakes." He

red the customer out of the shop. The door swung shut behi

h anger, as he yelled Lynn's name, causing her to flinch. The curious customers all returned to their business, leaving

ontrast to the good mood he had been in earlier that day. "Do you hav

hed in the gut. "I'm sorry, sir," she apol

en darker. "Forget about the advance

ith the implications. She felt like she'd been sl

At the sudden switch and how bad the day turned out for her. The thought of Mrs Adams pr

e!" Mr Thompson said without a shred of emotion, an

ing shut behind him. She felt like she'd been punched in the gut, her breath knocked out of her. The aroma

shame, her eyes welling up with tears. She quickly grabbed her bag and made a hasty exit, the bell above the doo

______

______

ynn took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing thoughts. She couldn't

rom her last lifeline. She had no idea how she would make ends meet now, her re

a solution. Her eyes landed on a help-wanted sign in the window of a nearb

er stomach growl with hunger. She hadn't had dinner the p

ded on the counter. She immediately started to app

, trying to sound confident and not loo

an, smiled warmly. "Welcome!

t down, hoping against hope that this