10

Deciding you don't want to buy anything, you stuff your wallet back into your pocket. "Just the paper is enough today." You say.

"Does your boss still not pay you enough?" Hakeem teases.

"Nope." You shake your head. "Too busy lining the pockets of his business partners and idiot son."

"Oh yeah, I forgot about the son!" Hakeem snorts. "It's chilly today. Bet Jonno will go for tea and toast this morning instead of a coffee."

"Why do you pray for my misery?" You ask with a frown. "You know it's going to be a tea and toast morning."

The hearty chime of the bell over the door punctuates Hakeem's snicker. He greets the man entering the shop with a wave before turning back to you.

"Because," Hakeem sighs. "I have nothing better to do than serve old people, stare at the sweets and study all day."

"If it's a tea and toast morning, I'll buy you whatever sweets you want tomorrow morning." You offer.

He scoffs. "Ma lets me steal from the stockroom, don't waste your money." Then he grins. "But I'd be more than willing to accept a tinny—" He gestures to the alcohol chiller in the back corner, "–if you want to make a bet."

"And I should buy you alcohol why?" You ask. He is only 17 years old.

"Aw, c'mon." Hakeem mulls over the idea before proposing, "I'll sneak you something tomorrow!"

"Seems like a pretty easy deal for you. A bit lackluster on my end." You continue.

"Fine, fine. I'll... sneak you whatever you want for the rest of the month." He counters.

Better. Much more tempting.

Though you're not sure how Marwa would react knowing you're leeching free goods from her store and buying her teenage son alcohol in exchange.

Okay, that's a lie – you know how she would react but you're not going to dwell on that yet. Things are pretty tight these days. This small deal won't entirely relieve you from your financial tension but it'll certainly help.

Think of it as a little treat.