The bell above the coffee shop door jingled merrily, alerting Mister Huston that somebody had just come in. He wiped his hands on his apron and turned to greet the newcomer. "Good morning," Mister Huston said with a smile. "What will it be today?"

The customer - a well-dressed woman who appeared to be somewhere in her late 20s - shouldered her bag and licked her lips. "I don't know." She hurried over to the counter, her heels clacking on the tiled floor. "Can you tell me where I am?"

Mister Huston gestured with his drying cloth. "You're in my shop. Now, would you like something?"

The woman sat down at the counter. "Please." Then she looked up at the bill of fare on the wall behind Mister Huston, scanning it absentmindedly. "Can I have ... ?" The woman paused. "Can I have a coffee, please? And a cheese danish?" Her voice trembled.

"Good choice." Mister Huston busied himself behind the counter. "You're new here, aren't you? I pride myself on knowing all my customers."

"Customers?" The woman looked around the coffee shop. There was nobody else there.

"Oh yes." Mister Huston set a brimming mug of coffee in front of the woman. "They'll be along soon. They're quite a friendly bunch."

The woman took a sip from her mug and grimaced. "Is there sugar in this?" Her voice sounded stronger, more certain.

"Oh yes. It's good for shock."

"Shock?" The woman sat upright. "Do you have a payphone? I can't get any signal."

"Who do you want to talk to?" Mister Huston ran his cloth along the counter, removing a few specks of dust from its otherwise pristine surface.

"I want to call my mother."

"Mmhmm?"

"I've just remembered something." The woman cradled the mug of coffee in her hands. "I was crossing the road, trying to get the bus for work. I stepped out and ... ." Her voice faltered, then she took a deep breath. "And then I was here."

Mister Huston nodded. "Yes. That happens a lot. Don't worry. You're not alone. When my regulars come in, they'll explain things to you." He glanced towards the coffee shop window. "I don't think they'll be long."

The woman stood up. "Look - I'm sorry. I can't stay here. I need to go and find a phone. I'll pay for the coffee. You don't have to worry about that." She fumbled in her bag, but her hand came out empty. "I'm sorry. I'll pay you back. Honestly, I will." She turned to leave the coffee shop, but stopped when Mister Huston put a hand on her shoulder.

"Don't worry." Mister Huston guided the woman gently back to her seat. Behind them, the bell above the door jingled again. "Here they are. It will all make sense in the end."