It was a cold day with cruel storm hitting the small region mercilessly. The young boy started to feel agitated as he couldn't go to the coffee shop. The water puddled up to his full waist and the mud afterward was cruel. It took a full week of hard work for the villagers to open the way to the town.

However, that day was considered lucky. It was a sun shiny day even though the temperature was still under 10 centigrade. The young boy was finally able to visit his beloved coffee shop again. He was whistling while walking heavily in his thick boots, with a basket full of rhubarb stalks and potatos from his mother for the old lady on his shoulder. It was a normal working day as he strolled down the deserted road in the midtown. He pushed the door happily and the bell chimed tunefully. He smiled slightly as he heard the sound.

"Hello, boy. It's been quite a sometime," the young lady said as she saw the silhouette of her guest.
"Yeah, it was quite a cruel storm last month. I can't believe it, the water was as deep as my waist!" The young boy put the basket in a heavy sound on the bar.
"What is this?" The young lady open the basket with a curious smile.
"Just some rhubarbs and potatos, my mom asked me to bring it here."
"Thanks! We can make delicious jam and soup with these. Your mother is always a green thumb," the young lady brought the basket to the kitchen.
"Where is the owner?"
"She will come soon, I think. She said she would like to send a telegram to my grandma. She just went before you came."

The young boy pulled a chair near the bar and sat on it. The young lady came back with a full tray. She put 2 bowls of sweet potato cream soup and 2 cups of hot chocolate.

"Thanks," the young boy seemed to get used to the young lady.

The young lady smiled lightly and sipped her hot chocolate. As they started digging the soup, the bell chimed once again. They threw their eyes to the door and there were 2 figures standing on the door, one was taller and slimmer than the other.

"Are you open for business?" The taller one dragged his left feet awkwardly as he entered the shop. He sounded a bit cold and sharp. The young boy could see a pointy chin under the pouted mouth and crooked nose under the grey ascot cap. He crouched his body slightly, he didn't like what he saw.  
"Yes, we are. Do you want to sit near the bar or on separated table?" The young lady put her hot chocolate down and walked out the bar.
"Separated table, please," the shorter one answered in a light tone. He looked more cheerful with slightly chubby cheeks separated by a nice sharp nose and thick moustache underneath.
"Sure," the young lady smiled and led those 2 men to a table near another heater and cleaned it a bit with damped cloth.

"Do you want to order now? We have some breakfast sets if you would like to."
"I think I want a cup of earl grey tea with a dash of milk first," the chubby man smiled as he put off his black bowler.
"Black coffee, 2 cubes of sugar," said the crooked-nose man as he put off his ascot cap.
"Be right back, Sir."

The young lady soon disappeared behind the kitchen. The young boy continued his breakfast as the bell chimed once again, followed by a familiar voice.

"Are you sure Lisda? This place has been your family's since ages?!" the loud voice asked.
"I am not sure, Harold. That's why I sent that telegram to my sister." another voice answered calmly.
"But..."

"Mrs. Delaney." Suddenly the chubby man stood before the old lady.
"Pardon us as we came before you." He offered his right hand for a shake to the old lady. She was hesitant at first, she wasn't prepared for early meeting.
"Mr. Thaw, what a surprise." She reached the hand with a warm gesture and shake it firmly.

It was a nice weather to start the week, but the smile on the old lady's face was cloudy.