Page 13 of Summer at Croftwood Cinema
‘I work at Oliver’s, that’s my friend’s coffee house. Named it after himself but it kind of works.’
Ed nodded thoughtfully. ‘So he’s a bit of an entrepreneur?’
‘I suppose he is. I’ve never really thought about it, but buying the cinema makes him one for sure. He’s a good friend, massively helped me out when I moved back to Croftwood.’
‘Where did you move from?’
‘I grew up here but moved to Birmingham and came back a couple of years ago.’
‘Wow, it’s quite different to Birmingham, a bit on the quiet side, in comparison.’
Patsy shrugged. ‘It was great living in the city for a while but you know, it’s not as if every night is a night out or every day is a day out.’
Ed frowned, a confused look on his face.
‘I suppose what I mean is that it’s cool to live somewhere like that for the nightlife or the culture or whatever but actually, you don’t take advantage of those things every day if you live there. And on a daily basis, Croftwood is a much friendlier place to live.’
‘Working at a coffee shop must be good for that, meeting people, I mean. Same with my job, really.’
‘What, being a student?’ Patsy laughed at his description of it being a job.
‘I’m not a student,’ he said, as if it should be obvious. ‘I’m a lecturer.’
It made a lot more sense, although Patsy was surprised a lecturer could get away with dressing so casually.
‘Well, in my defence, you look like a student.’
‘Helps to get them on side,’ he said, grinning.
‘What do you teach?’
‘Computer Science.’
That threw Patsy. Her own background was in that field, although it felt like a lifetime ago. It was a coincidence that she would put to the back of her mind. That wasn’t who she was anymore. But now she knew what he did, Ed began to make sense to her. He was a cool nerd. They arrived at the coffee house and as Oliver was busy serving a customer, Patsy went behind the counter to help.
‘Take a seat, Ed. What can I get you?’
‘Cappuccino, please.’ He headed over to a table in the window.
‘So that’s the film bloke?’ asked Oliver, as he steamed the milk for Ed and Patsy’s coffees while Patsy dealt with the rest.
‘Yes, Ed.’
‘You’re blushing, Pats. Got a soft spot for him already?’
‘Shut up, he’s nice. Be nice.’
‘I’m always nice. Does he know his stuff?’
‘Definitely. And he seemed to think there’s nothing a good clean wouldn’t solve for the projector and the spinny wheel bit.’
‘Did he teach you that technical term? It’s impressive…’
Patsy whipped him on the leg with a tea towel.
‘Ouch! Come on Pats, I’m only joking. Sorry,’ he added when he saw the fierce expression on her face.
‘Just bring the coffee over okay? And come and sit down with us for a minute while you haven’t got any customers.’
