The Christmas Present

Sharni had only taken a few steps when a hand touched her arm. Frowning she stopped and turned to face the person. It was one of the girls from the café. She wasn’t the one who had served her but she was wearing the same uniform and Sharni remembered seeing her the day before.

“Are you Sharni?” she said.

“Yes” Sharni said, her frown deepening.

The woman smiled “I have a message for you. A man named Mitch called. He said to say he was sorry he couldn’t meet you, but he’s unwell.”

“Oh” Sharni said the tightness in her chest easing. “Thank you for coming after me.”

“That’s okay” she said “the guy sounded so upset. I didn’t want to disappoint him.”

Sharni smiled, her mood lighter until she remembered she had no way of contacting him, or he her. They hadn’t exchanged numbers or even last names she now realised. She sighed as a renewed despair filled her chest. “Well thank you again” she said trying not to show what she was feeling. The situation wasn’t this girls fault, she’d done all she could and Sharni didn’t want her to think her effort was in vain.

“No problem” the woman said with a smile and turned away. However she had only taken a step before she span back and holding out a piece of paper she said “I almost forgot. He asked me to give you his number.”

Sharni’s smile widened. She took the piece of paper and watched as the woman ran back to the café. “Thank you” she called.

The woman raised her hand to signify she’d hear but kept going.