by Steve Tanham
Alexandra joined me at exactly half past eight, smiling. She took a thin and exotic-looking notes folder, bound in black leather, from her large travel bag. From the folder, which she opened and laid out on our coffee table, she took a shiny, black and gold Mont Blanc pen. “Nice . . .” I said. “Morning” she responded. “Still nice . . .” “It’s … Read More Nine Deadly Sins with Coffee (18) – The Jealous Eye
by Steve Tanham
I waited while she brought the coffee; waited and moved my feet around in the sodden boots, enjoying the effect the squelching noise had on those on the next table. Eventually, she returned, smiling at my continued noise-making. “Stop it – you’re just being bad for the sake of it!” she scolded. “I’m only human.” I said, wetly. “Thank you . . . “ … Read More Nine Deadly Sins with Coffee – Part Seventeen
by Steve Tanham
I had arranged to meet Alexandra on the seafront the next Monday morning. I explained that I would bring us take-away coffee, as I wanted to use the half-hour to do a large-scale drawing. I had hinted that additional footwear might be required and she looked quite incongruous when she arrived, in pin stripe suit and walking boots . . . “Only for you!” … Read More Nine Deadly Sins with Coffee – Part Sixteen
by Steve Tanham
“I’ve got you an extra coffee, in a take-away cup, because I knew you were going to be late, and I’m thoughtful like that . . .” I watched for her reaction. The word confusion was written across Alexandra’s face. I winced, inside – this was going to be a tough one. “But . . . but I’m not late!” she protested, looking at her watch … Read More Nine Deadly Sins with Coffee – Part Fifteen
by Steve Tanham
Alexandra was late arriving for our usual Monday morning coffee. She stormed into the coffee shop and slammed down the heaviest of her bags, making her less-than-hot latte shake in its tall glass tumbler. “Some people,” she fumed. “should never have be given driving licences . . . that taxi-driver is one of them!” If one can be said to sit down in anger, … Read More Nine Deadly Sins with Coffee – Part Fourteen
by Steve Tanham
Alexandra arrived to find her coffee waiting on the table; together with an old silver coin. “It’s a half-crown,” I said, in response to her puzzled look. “You may never have seen one, before?” “I have. My grandfather had some; and what am I supposed to do with it?” she asked, in reply. “Why, you spin it, of course!” I was being irritating, but … Read More Nine Deadly Sins with Coffee – Part Thirteen
by Steve Tanham
Alexandra was calmer and much more introspective when we met the following Monday morning. “So, we’re going to look at things from the unified perspective of what we have called ‘the Wave’?” she said. “Yes,” I replied, taking the new drawing, from my pocket and unfolding it next to the two fresh lattes. “Examine this and tell me what you see . . .” … Read More Nine Deadly Sins with Coffee – Part Twelve
by Steve Tanham
The sand was wet under our bare feet. Alexandra insisted on taking my hand and leading me into the shallow waves that lapped at the muddy beach. With her rolled-up suit trousers and my similarly shortened jeans, we must have looked quite a pair. I looked at her and laughed, “You’re doing this because I mentioned waves?” “I’m doing this because whatever you’ve done, … Read More Nine Deadly Sins with Coffee – Part Eleven
by Steve Tanham
“Tell me about the ‘wave’?” Alexandra asked, excitedly. “I get the idea of the now, though I think that’s something we all take for granted; but the wave sounds like something to be discovered, something fundamental to existence . . .” I sipped my coffee and looked back into those excited, bright eyes, and considered how to fill her with the sense of joy … Read More Nine Deadly Sins with Coffee – Part Ten
by Steve Tanham
The space between us had changed. I smiled as I sat down next to the tall latté waiting for me in the coffee shop opposite the roaring spring sea which was doing its best to reclaim the old seaside town. “You knew, didn’t you?” Alexandra asked, in a question that wasn’t. “Knew that the sun in the one-tree would change things?” “I did,” I replied, … Read More Nine Deadly Sins with Coffee – Part Nine
by Steve Tanham
She leaned forward, and at the same time, took a large swig of her coffee. I had seen her do it many times; it signalled that she was about to launch her enquiry. “Home” I said, softly, completely ruining her build-up. “How did you–?” she laughed, there was little sign of the irritation that would have accompanied my impolite gesture back when we first … Read More Nine Deadly Sins with Coffee – Part Eight
by Steve Tanham
“So the circle of stations on top of your cheesy cylinder are the outermost layer of something?” Alexandra was in fine form. Outside the coffee shop, the first real day of spring-like weather was in full flow, despite the early hour. We had decided to celebrate this visible end of winter by sitting outside. I had bought the coffee. Alexandra had brought us a … Read More Nine Deadly Sins with Coffee – Part Seven
Sun in Gemini 
You must be logged in to post a comment.