The Shadow

It wasn’t much. But what it was, was all hers.

Francesca Marchetti was now the owner of her own little coffee bar. The dream was now a reality. It scared the hell out of her. But she was a determined girl. Or at least those were the words she kept telling herself. She had to succeed. Her mother, five hundred miles away in Milan, already had her married and raising children.

Francesca, I was already married with two children at your age. Five hundred miles was maybe not far enough for her liking.

It was on the third day he came in. He quietly explained his order of one pot of coffee. Nothing more. He would come in mostly in the morning. He would stay an hour.

For this, he would pay extra.

Francesca watched as he took his seat. He spoke perfect Italian. But he certainly wasn’t. She guessed he was English. English people were always a bit eccentric.

She was sure her mother told her that. (Her mother.)

Though he only looked about twenty-five, and she wasn’t sure if twenty-five was a bit young to be eccentric.

But Francesca liked everything neat. So, Mr eccentric he was.

                         Chapter 2

Morgan B Montgomery knew that to get on in life, you had to talk to people. He didn’t actually disagree with that sentiment. It just seemed to him a waste of time repeating himself. He actually liked watching people go by. But that didn’t mean he wanted to converse with them. He liked cities. You could lose yourself in a city.

Cities also had streets, lots of streets. Buildings higher than other buildings. Yes, he liked cities.

                               Chapter 3

Francesca brought his pot of coffee and placed it on the table. It was becoming a regular routine. She wondered if he maybe had a crush on her. Was Mr eccentric just shy?

At times she would study him, trying to catch him glancing at her. Nothing. He just seemed to watch the people go by. Bah, men. She could do without them.

                               Chapter 4

Nothing is impossible in this world, nothing.

The coffee tasted good. People passed by.

He lived in a tent in the middle of the desert. Guarded by a thousand troops. A thousand troops.

They wanted him dead. They wanted him dead, wrapped in the American flag. Filmed for the world to see.

Nothing is impossible in this world, nothing.

Morgan B Montgomery could give them ten million reasons to dispute this claim. But since he agreed to the contract. He would have to keep that little gem to himself.

Reviews

[Einstein Noodle]

I'm in and reading onward ;) really like how you reveal these characters ... with self talk, observations by others and narration revelations ..engaging read for me ..love the characters .. nice technique!
E.

[Paul Bell]

I should really finish this now that I'm in lockdown. lol

[Cherrie Palmer]

... okay Paul, I am on to chapter 2.

[Ardra]

What you stopped oh no....Paul get back to that desk and write write... Heheh lovely one :))
I want to read what happens next...please... :))

[Paul Bell]

Go to the next chapter then. You couldn't maybe finish it off could you.

[Ardra]

I read all of it.... and that's it ???

[Paul Bell]

Called all the chapters, the shadow, to do your box in. lol

[Ken Simm.]

Quirky and very well written. Now I want more.

[Paul Bell]

There is other chapters. Just realised you have to actually finish the story, hate that. lol

[Stella Armour]

A lovely taster... please let me know if i miss the next chapter..

[Paul Bell]

There is a few together. lol

[Onlyme]

This is really good. Enjoyed it a whole lot.

[Paul Bell]

No being saying that when you have to read the rest of the chapters. lol

[Onlyme]

Paul your doubting your own self worth and value, have faith in you always.you have come this far right. Dawn.

[Neville]

this is something else my friend.. and that is good, in my book... great story .. it could very easily be published elsewhere in this form.. like one of them shrinklet novels from days of yore... 11/10 :)

[Paul Bell]

This will be the shortest ever. Books take patience, and I don't have any.

[Neville]

at least I tried....

[augustus]

A very good try.

[Neville]

bless ya...

[Paul Bell]

I'm on it. lol

[Neville]

good man..

[Mrudula Rani]

What a wonderful (chapter) beginning, Paul. I can't wait for the rest of the chapters to be posted. The book will be great and going to be a treat to read.

[Paul Bell]

Only if I actually write it, lol.

[Mrudula Rani]

Even if it's a ghostwriter... I am anxious to read the rest of the chapters .