Has't Tha Got Any Mugs?

Jurassic Café was a family-run establishment on the Lyme Regis seafront. Today, the town was buzzing with locals and tourists alike.

Suddenly, the front door of the café flew open with surprising force, the hinges screaming, and the open/closed sign rocked off its hook and falling to the floor. A large figure of a man stepped inside:

“Sorry folks’ he bellowed ‘I thought t’door were a right lot heavier than it is”.

Maya, the youngest family member, smiled, “Good afternoon, Sir. Let me put the sign back. Do you have a booking?”

“Aye, I do luv. Wainwright Wordsworth. Me and t’Mrs are down ere from Yorkshire. I booked yonder table in t’bay window”.

“Ah yes, Mr Wordsworth. If you’d like to follow me”

The slight figure of Mrs Wordsworth stepped out from behind her husband and ushered him forward.

As they settled into their seats, Maya approached with menus. Before she said a word, Mr Wordsworth raised his hand:

“Don’t worry about owt else on t’menu love. We’re here for Afternoon Tea. Scones wi raisins for me, and wi’out fo t’missus. Ta love. Oh, and we need Yorkshire tea too.”

That was easy, thought Maya as she noted the order.

The Wordsworths sat in silence, gazing out of the window. Their fixation was interrupted as Maya’s sister Daisy arrived at the table with their food. Wainwright, in particular, studied each tier of the stand closely.

“This looks like a great selection luv. I think tha’ll be needing thee full appetite to get though it” posed Mrs Wordsworth.

“Aye luv” responded Wainwright “but….”

“I know what’s tha’s thinking” his wife interrupted. “They cut the crusts off down ere. Don’t make a fuss Wainwright. Just enjoy it”

Before he could respond, Maya delivered the tea. She placed the tray on the table, aware of the close attention given by Wainwright.

“Luv” he said. “I don’t mind eating me sarnies wi no crust, but I’m a Yorkshireman. I can’t drink me tea out o that” finger pointing at the delicate cup and saucer. “Has tha got a mug? It’s like drinking me beer out of t’eggcup!”

“Errm, I’ll see what I can do” offered Maya.

Mrs Wordsworth stayed silent but was aware of the staff staring in their direction.

Maya appeared again, a large but aged ceramic mug in hand with a fading logo ‘Stay Calm, and Smile’.

Her father, the café manager, watched her with curiosity and, seeing she was carrying, desperately tried to stop her, but it was too late.

Maya offered the mug to Wainwright who praised her for her diligence, “Well done lass. Just what I were hoping for. It’s old too. Is it an heirloom or summit like that?”

“You might say that” smiled Maya

The Wordsworth’s, without further ado, devoured their Afternoon Tea, duly paid and left a generous tip.

Maya, cleared the table and once back in the corridor behind the counter called upstairs “Gran, we’re done. You can take your teeth out again now”!