**Diary Entry**
Id rather not dwell on it, but this woman is here again. “Every single day,” thought Lizzie, wiping down a glass as she watched her. Shes a lovely woman, even if she is elderly.
The woman had a refined air about herwearing a long linen dress, a delicate strand of natural pearls around her neck. Lizzie knew her order by heart: a cup of coffee, orange juice, and two croissants. The croissants were always fresh. Shed often observed the woman sipping her coffee slowly, gazing out the window, clearly enjoying the moment.
As Lizzie discreetly watched her, a slender girl rushed into the café, visibly upset. She slumped into a corner booth, and Lizzie approached.
“Hello,” the girl muttered quickly. “Just tea, please.”
Lizzie brought her the tea. The girl nodded, then suddenly burst into tears. Lizzie hesitated.
“Love, whats wrong?” she asked gently. “Can I help?”
The girl shook her head, tears streaming. She looked utterly lost. The café was quietjust the early morning regulars grabbing coffee before work. Students were on break, but none had wandered in yet.
“Whats your name?” Lizzie asked, pointing to her name tag.
“Sophie,” she whispered between sobs.
“What happened?” But just then, another customer entered, distracting Lizzie.
When she glanced back, the elderly womanEleanor Whitmorewas already sitting beside Sophie, speaking softly. Lizzie overheard:
“Sophie, its not as dreadful as it seems.”
“You dont understand! Have you ever been abandoned?” Sophie hiccuped.
“No, but Ive walked away before things got that far,” Eleanor replied calmly. “Im Eleanor Whitmore. Trust me, dear, Ive seen a lot in my years. Theres always a way out.”
Lizzie had to attend to new customers but noticed Eleanor comforting Sophie. She hoped the older woman could help.
“Ive buried two husbands, raised two children, have four grandchildren, and one great-grandchild,” Eleanor continued. “If Id wept over every hardship, Id have missed out on life entirely.”
“But he left me, and Im pregnant,” Sophie blurted, her tears slowing. “Ive nowhere to go.”
“I rather thought as much,” Eleanor said warmly, nudging the teacup toward her. “Drink up, then tell me everything. Ill think of something.”
Sophie wiped her eyes and shared her storystudying in London, dating a wealthy boy named Oliver. At first, it was perfectromantic, expensive dates. Shed even moved into his flat. But when she told him she was pregnant, hed scoffed.
“Not my problem. Did you plan this to trap me? My parents are well-off, and Ive got prospects. Im done with you. Get out.”
Sophie had packed her few belongings and crashed with a friend. No money for rent, no desire to drop out of uni or terminate the pregnancy. And she couldnt face her parents back in their village.
“I thought I was living a fairy tale,” she whispered. “Then reality hit. I dont know what to do.”
Eleanor listened, then said, “Theres always a way. Come live with me. Ive a spare room. Dont worry about rentIm comfortable.”
Sophie stared. “Why? Im a stranger.”
“Pity, solidarity, and because my granddaughter was in your shoes once. Now shes happily married with a little one.” Eleanor smiled. “Itll be alright.”
As they left, Lizzie watched them go, smiling. Sophie would be cared for.
“Lucky her,” Lizzie thought bitterly. Seven years ago, shed been in Sophies placepregnant, abandoned by her boyfriend Ethan. No Eleanor Whitmore to save her. A back-alley doctor, a hospital stay, dropping out of uni. Now here she wasa waitress with no love life.
Months later, Eleanor returned alone, ordering her usualplus extra croissants to go.
“Hows Sophie?” Lizzie asked.
“Due any day,” Eleanor replied.
Then, one day, Eleanor returned with news: Sophie had a beautiful daughter. Her parents sold their cottage and moved to London to help.
“And Oliver?” Lizzie asked.
“He came crawling back, begging forgiveness. Sophie sent him packing.”
Later, Sophie walked in with a kind-faced man. “This is Lizzie,” she introduced him. “She helped me too.”
“And this is Matthewmy husband. Hes adopted little Emily, and were hoping for a son next.”
Lizzie watched them, happy but wistful.
Then, something shifted for her too. The cafés new chef, Daniel, had taken a liking to her. After their first date, her sad eyes sparkled againespecially when he brought her flowers.
