Gemotions

The hum of the espresso machine, the clatter of plates, the gentle murmur of conversation – these were the sounds that made up Emily's world. She ran the local café, the aroma of coffee beans and pastries a familiar perfume. Her regulars, her staff, the predictable ebb and flow of customers; it was a carefully constructed haven. She greeted a regular customer.

A solicitor. A man with a file. He spoke of a trust, a will, and a forgotten relationship. A half-brother. Emily’s smile wavered. The warmth of the cafe was now a subtle pressure, the clatter of plates became cacophony.