As soon as the first term of the New Year started at Reading University the Stag and Dog cafe was never empty. Forever full of faces old and new coming. Everyone who came through the doors all greeted with the same lopsided grin of the shaggy-haired barista. Whose grey eyes always sparkled with a mystery which made all the girls in the village weak at the knees.
No stranger to the first week rush of fresher’s the cafe was armed an prepared with the team of best friends who stood ready for the day. The sign on the rustic wooden door flipped from closed to open the two baristas and the not so enthusiastic friend. Who had been roped into helping for the day began preparing the finishing touches.
'Jagger will you get your bloody arse into gear it won't be long until the customers actually start turning up' Seth the owner of the Stag and Dog cafe shouted teasingly. While the shaggy-haired man ran his long fingers through his black locks before throwing it into a top knot.
'You mean you hired me to actually do work and not to just stand here looking pretty?' Jagger says with a look of mock horror spreading across his face.
'I'm afraid so pretty boy your devilishly handsome good looks do not work on me'
'I suppose I better get some work done then'
'I'd get behind that counter before Tom practically drools on those chocolate muffins if I was you' Seth says indicating to the short pudgy man who stood hanging over the baked goods.
Jagger walked back around the counter shoving his friend away from the freshly baked goods the first customer of the day walked in.
'Good morning welcome to the Stag and Dog how can I help you today?'
'One large black coffee to go' Grunted an overweight middle-aged man not bothering to look up from his phone.
Rolling his eyes as the customer was clearly not bothered to even return the morning greeting from his serve.r Jagger set to work. The coffee machine sprang to life as its buttons were pressed and levers were pulled until the steaming hot black liquid bubbled. Before it began to pour into the awaiting cup. Which was then placed on to the counter in front of the businessman.
'3.60' Jagger drawled the friendliness of his tone diminishing. As the customer fished in his pocket for change. Which he then proceeded to drop onto the counter next to the coffee ignoring Jagger’s outstretched hand.
'Have a good day' the barista called sarcastically after the businessman who simply left without uttering another word coffee in hand.
Seth was holding in a laugh as Jagger's face looked as if he wanted to call thee rude customer every name under the sun. Instead he simply raised his hands in a sign of surrender and strolled back through the swinging doors into the kitchen.
'Is he always this dramatic at work?' Tom questions curiously from the end of the counter.
'Yep, especially when he needs a fag break' Seth says popping the 'P' as he pushes his round-framed glasses back up his olive-skinned nose.
After a dramatic exit, Jagger saunters back into the cafe with a much more relaxed smile on his face. Just in time to see one of his regular customers Mrs Fig trying to carry her tray of tea and biscuits while pulling along her little shopping trolley with a great effort for the small frail women. 'Let me get that for you' He says his pace quicking as he extends his hand to take the tray which is gratefully given to him.
'Thank you Jagger dear my arms aren't as strong as they once were' Mrs. Fig says smiling warmly. While the mans muscled tattooed arms placed the tray on her regular table that she sat in every Wednesday after her purple rinse.
'Your welcome Mrs. Fig, enjoy your tea'
'Oh stop it now Mrs. Fig was my mother in law you can call me Enid' The old women say's as she draws the hot drink to her lips.
Jagger simply smiles as he goes back around the counter. Were he playfully smacks Seth over the head who is yet again smirking at his friend.
'Always the ladies man' Seth comments as he begins to wipe down the wooden countertop,
'Speaking of ladies how did last night’s date go?' Tom asks as he begins to wipe down a dirty table while Seth made a gagging noise and pretends to wretch at the question.
'Just put it this way I think we need thicker walls in the flat'
'That bad?' Tom asks not knowing if he wants to know the answer or not.
Jagger shudders slightly at the memories of the night before pass through his mind.
Tom raises his eyebrows at his friend as the mugs he was balancing in his hands begin to tremble as he walked.
'Okay she had a nice pretty face, the ass on her was perfect and a great shag but way to clingy' Jagger says laughing. At the fact the girl had already tried to text him five times in the last hour. Little did the poor girl know that she was nothing more than a one night stand. Simply another name to add to the list of girls who he had slept with.
A small cough draws their attention back to the opposite side of the counter. Where a sandy-haired man dressed in an oversized beige sweater which hung loosely on his skinny frame stood. His cheeks flushed pink from interrupting a rather inappropriate conversation.
'Sorry to interrupt' The man says his voice so soft-spoken that Jagger almost had to strain to hear as he finally turns to look at him and take in what he looked like.
There was no denying he was good looking but not in the confident self-assured way Jagger was because there aren't many people who are as self-assured as he could be. The customer was different and it was something the barista could not put his finger on. But yet another small cough drew the barista away from his own thoughts.
'I'm so sorry how can I help you today?'
'May I please have one large hot chocolate with cream please?' the sandy-haired man replies looking up from his shoes for the first time.
'Sure, are you wanting that to take away or drink in?'
'Drink in please'
'No worries pal that will just be two minutes and in the meantime that will be 3.75'
Jagger flashes a smile at the young man as he pulls out a battered black leather wallet. That had clearly seen better days but as the man's cheeks still lit a light pink color. The barista couldn't help but chuckle at the second-hand embarrassment of the stranger.
The sandy-haired man let the oversized sleeve fall over his hands as he waited for his drink before he wrapped one arm around himself letting his hand rest on his elbow. His eyes averting away into the distance watching people pass by the shop in a whole world of their own.
As he worked Jagger couldn’t help but take glances at the man that had to be around the same age as him. Most of the people who walked through the doors of the cafe made some form of conversation with whoever was preparing their order. Well not everyone as the memory of the rude businessman this morning. Though this guy didn’t seem rude. Shyer like he just wanted to get his drink and leave as quickly as possible. So with a shrug to himself he carried on making the beverage.
The machine dinged as Jagger pulled out one of the blue mugs from the shelves along with a matching saucer. He poured the drink carefully into a cup while using his free hand to reach for the silver can of whipped cream. To squirt into a perfect swirl on top before dusting in lightly with chocolate shavings.
‘There you go, can I get you anything else?’
‘No thank you that is it for today’ The man says drawing his attention to his awaiting drink before silently picking it up. With his hands that had now been drawn back out of the jumper then retreating back to a table in the far corner of the cafe.
He sat there only for 20 minutes just watching the world go by. His hands grasped tightly around the mug, taking small sips of the hot drink until the cup ran empty.
As he left he mumbled a soft goodbye to Jagger, Seth and a rather tired looking Tom who was half dozing in a chair. ‘See ya’ two of the men called as he left closing the shop door carefully behind him.
After the customer left the cafe became busy and full of life when the clock hit 1 pm as the lunchtime rush began. Any leftover wandering thoughts of customers and just about anyone else left the workers minds.
It wasn’t until the cafe shut its doors at five thirty that Jagger got the chance to breath fresh air. Sweat had formed on his forehead from the heat radiating off the machinery behind the counter. The cabinet that displayed a varies selection of pastries and cakes were now particularly empty. Only a few blueberry muffins, shortbreads and biscuits were left. Still fresh but not enough to sell on the next day.A takeaway cardboard box was pulled from a large multipack and in the sweet treats went.
‘Tom mate do you want these before I throw them?’ Jagger calls to Tom who was pulling his coat on ready to leave because he couldn’t possibly clean down the shop. After doing a whole 9 hours of work.
‘Is a pig’s arse pork? Of course, I do’ Tom says shoving his short arms into his coast before making grabby hands towards the box like a child.
‘Steady on pal you don’t want to ruin the nice tea your mummy will have made for you’ Jagger teased. The only answer he got was the middle finger from his friend who was trying to hide a laugh because everyone knew Tom was a mummy’s boy and even at 20 he showed no desire to move out of his family home.
And with that, another busy day at the stag and dog was done. The busiest cafe on the high street since its doors opened two years ago. Once Tom left sweet treats in hand. Seth and Jagger began to clean down the cafe ready for the morning. Their mother would have been proud ever since Jagger had moved in with Seth and his family at 16. The women joked that the pair didn’t even know how to use a washing machine let alone keep a 5-star hygiene rating. Which by some miracle they did.
‘See you back at the flat?’ Jagger asks Seth as the shutters of the cafe came down.
‘Na I’m gonna go stay around at Iris’s since she’s got the night off work Seth said as he clicked the button to open the door of his sleek black Audi Rs5.
With a nod, the two brothers waved a goodbye to one another. Seth reversing out of his parking spot from in front of the building with one final saulte. While Jagger walked around the side of the building where he removed his hair from its bun letting it fall freely on his shoulders before putting on his helmet. Then with a swing of his leg, he hovered over the seat of his most precious possession. His motorbike.
With one last look at the shop, the bike roared to life and Jagger lowered his self into position as he sped off into the evening towards home. A niggling memory of the quite customer settling itself into his mind.
-
Ever since the first of September like clockwork every Wednesday and Friday the sandy-haired man came into the cafe. Always on his own armed with his laptop and textbooks. Always sitting in the far corner of the cafe by the window. Silently tapping away at his keyboard a pen resting on his lips. Never talking to a soul unlike most of the regulars. Only ever asking for his order politely before returning to his silence.
It made an observant Jagger intrigued at the mystery of the regular who seemed to stick to his routine like clockwork.
Jagger elbowed Seth in the rib 'Do you recognize him over there?'.
'For one Ow you have very bony elbows and of course, I do he has come in here twice a week since the Uni went back.' Seth says rubbing his ribs.
'He's so quiet'
'You know he comes here for the drinks not to have a conversation with you'
'I know but'
'But?'
'There's just something about him'
'Well while you try to figure this whole thing out I'm going to make some scones. Why don't you just ask Iris if she knows him? Looks like he goes to the universty' gesturing to the young women at the end of the counter.
'Oi Iris' Jagger says throwing a rolled up napkin at the blonde at the end of the counter her face in a book.
'What' She says disgruntled by the fact she had been distracted from her book. For what seemed to be the 10th time since she had arrived at her boyfriend's place of work.
'Do you know who he is?'
'Who? You're not exactly pointing at anyone in particular'
'The cute geeky boy with the square glasses on' Jagger says not realizing he had used the word cute. Before it was too late when he saw a smirk spread across Iris's face.
'Oh, that cute geeky boy his names Myles, he's in my English literature class' Iris says a glint of mischief dancing in her eyes.
'Is he always so quiet?'
'Mhm He's super smart but he kinda just keeps himself to himself. I think I can count the times I've heard him speak aloud on one hand'
Jagger just nods as he goes back to laying out the rest of the baked goods. Still not able to push the thoughts of Myles out of his head.
By the time the display counter was restocked Seth covered in flour from head to toe came out of the kitchen. His face covered with mischief as he quickly moved towards his girlfriend.
Seth grabbing her by the waist pulling her into his chest. His flour-covered hands leaving white marks on her burgundy shirt. The women squealed as she realized what her boyfriend had done.
'SETH' she shrieked batting his hands off her body.
'Was that really necessary?!?!'
Instead of giving an answer Seth just pushes a stray strand of hair out of his girlfriend's face before peppering her face with kisses until she gave in and kisses him back.
'So beauty and the beast, what have you been talking about without me to entertain you?'
'Oh not much just that Jagger thinks Myles is cute'
'I didn't call him cute'
'Myles?''
'The guy sat in the far corner on the laptop'
'Oh... wait but he's a dude'
'It was just a slip of the tongue'
'Sure whatever you say, Jagger, I believe you' Iris says though her brows were raised and her head tilted in a fashion that showed she did not believe him but yet she still does not press the matter.
Meanwhile, Seth just looked slightly confused,'Dont worry your pretty little head about it babe' Iris says as she picks up her books.
'I've got a class to get to, I'll see you tonight' she says as the black handbag was swung over her shoulder.
'So Jag anything you need to tell me? Got a little boy crush' Seth says with a curiously raised eyebrow.
'No it's nothing I was just curious about putting a name to a face' Jagger says crossing his arms over his chest and turning away busying himself. By going to help the waitress that was working that day to clear some empty tables. Leaving Seth to serve the customers.
For the next few weeks, Jaggers slip up is not mentioned again. Not to his face at least but it didn't stop Tom and Seth discussing it when he was out of earshot. Like on their friends the only day of that week.
'So has he brought any more girls around to the flat?' Tom asked as he ate his second muffin while Seth nodded silently as he served a customer.
'Three in the last four days'
'I wish I could pull as easily as he does, Do you think he's trying to restore the dent in his masculinity from calling that dude cute?'
'Honestly? I don't know. You know Jagger keeps everything to himself' Seth says between customers.
Meanwhile, Jagger found himself leaving his and Seth's apartment on a sunny Tuesday as he headed into the town. Making sure to steer clear from the stag and dog because spending nearly 50 hours a week leaves it to be a less than desirable place to be on your only day off. So with his satchel full of songwriting books and notes tightly secured inside of it.
The sun shone down on as he walked into the local Starbucks because a barista is never too far away from coffee. Especially one who didn’t get in until 2am. So with one ear bud placed in his ear as his fingers drummed against his thigh to the beat of the song ,while he waited in the queue. His mind drifted off to another place far from this small town.
Minding his own business is Jaggers most skilled talent. Even if he did notice everything around hum when out in public. Normally he just pretended like he didn’t know what was going on. That was until he heard the all be it quite and polite voice that he had grown used to hearing every week.
'I'm very sorry for messing you around I'll put the sandwich back and just take the drink' Myles says taking the packet wrapped sandwich of his tray and heading back towards the display unit.
The tired and very bored looking Starbucks worker whose name tagged read 'Arthur' just stood looking as if he would rather be anywhere else in the world but at work. 'What’s up?' Jagger questions the barista who had begun to grow impatient. While Myles politely threw the people in line to return his sandwich.
'Kid didn't have enough for the sandwich and a drink'
'How much is it?'
'6.50'
Jagger nods pulling out his own wallet and retrieving a crisp ten-pound note. 'Myles' He shouts over his shoulder.
Myles jumps his head swivelling around in all directions till he landed on the barista from his normal coffee shop dressed in a black leather jacket and doc martins.
'Get the sandwich it’s on me' Jagger says as he tosses the money towards Arthur.
Myles hesitates for a second confused as to why a stranger was willing to help him.He hangs with the sandwich still half sitting back in the fridge it takes the person in the queue behind him nudging him in the back telling him to hurry up. That causes him to grasp the sandwich and return it to the counter like a child.
‘You you don’t have to do that’
‘It’s nothing’ Jagger says shrugging his shoulders as he passed the to go cup and sandwich to Myles who stood awkwardly next to him playing with his hands.
‘I’ll give you the money back when I next come to the stage and dog’
Jagger waved it off. Money was not something he had to worry about.Six pounds didn’t make a dent in the inheritance his great uncle left him or the money from the settlement his parents had given him for staying quiet.
‘Not to be rude or anything but your holding up the queue so is there anything else?’ Arthur says gesturing to the queue. The starbucks worker was certainly far from a delight.
‘Yes, I’d like a Grande chai tea to go’ Jagger says noticing that Myles had moved to stand by the exit of the shop.His hand gripping his hot drink tightly just like he did at the Stag and Dog.
Everyone always guessed that Jagger with his bad boy demean or would make him a coffee drinker. It often surprised them to find out he was, in fact, a tea drinker. Coffee made his heart race and the room spin where tea settled him and made his busy mind calm.
Nodding a thank you to Arthur and telling him to keep the change Jagger collected his drink while adjusting the bag on his shoulder. He made his way towards the exit where Myles was standing who picked up at the sight of his savoir coming his way.
‘Er excuse me?’
‘Mhm’ Jagger replied his mouth full of the warm spicy beverage.
‘I don’t know your name sorry and I just wanted to say Thank you again for buying me these’ Myles says indicating to the beverage and food.
‘Honestly don’t sweat it, its nothing and my names Jagger’
Though Myles was grateful for the kindness of a practical stranger it couldn’t help but make him wonder how his name had become known to him so as curiosity got the better of him. He found the question how do you know my name? Falling from his mouth.
‘My brother well friend Seth’s girlfriend is Iris Evans. She is in your English literature class she just pointed you out the other week when she came to visit Seth’ Jagger explained. His black hair parted on the wrong side leaving half of it covering his face so it was hard to read his expression.
‘Oh right’ was all Myles could say as he tried to picture the girl in his mind. If he was honest he didn’t pay much attention to the other students in the class. But Iris stood out as she was the only one who still after two years made an effort to greet him every morning. Which he always responded to with a brief small smile.
When he didn’t say anything else Jagger pushed the door to exit the building before stopping halfway. As he rested his back against the glass door fishing something out of his bag.
‘Aha,’ He said to himself as the paper grasped in between his fingers.
‘I’ve gotta run now but if your free Friday night drop by the cafe were having a night where a couple of local musicians are playing. Including myself. Its ticket only so here's a couple for you and some friends in case you fancy stopping by’ Jagger says passing over the paper that held three tickets on it.
Again surprised by Jaggers actions Myles who was a man of few words just stood without moving for the outstretched piece of paper until it was wiggled under his nose. ‘I have a mountain of assignments to do but if I can get down the mountain I’ll think about it’
‘Well, I hope to see you there. ’ Jagger says giving Myles one of his famous grins that made the girls weak at the knees. Myles doesn’t say anything he just stands holding the pieces of paper loosely in his fingers. His face twisted in to something Jagger supposed was surprise and confusion.
‘Don’t look so worried it was only an offer’ He says starting to feel slightly foolish offering a stranger free tickets. Myles shook his head ‘Sorry I’m not was just thinking’.
Jagger just shrugged his shoulders as Myles turned his face away from him. ‘See you around’ He says before leaving the shop. Giving the shy boy one last smile before heading of in the direction of the local park to write for the afternoon.