“Of ALL the cafés in Singapore you say this is your favourite cafe?? There are thousands of cafés!” exclaimed the old English man as he took a cigarette.

Thea smiled at the comment she overheard as she sipped her ice lemon tea in a corner of the store. It was her favourite cafe too. Sitting in the sweltering heat, the back of her starchy white uniform was plastered uncomfortably against her back, and there were two hideous patches of moisture between her armpit. She slapped at her thighs to chase the mosquitoes away. They buzzed away and hovered lazily over the nearby drain, the same way the sulking waitress hovered over the counter, eyeing her beadily and suspiciously. She averted her gaze, which was immediately snagged by the figure just entering the cafe. Her heart lifted as she accidentally gulped down the lemon tea, nearly choking at the unnecessary huge volume of liquid. It was 4 o’clock in the afternoon.

The owner’s son had just stepped in, returning from school. This was her favourite cafe indeed.