She pushed open the door and was greeted by the familiar, comforting aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingled with hints of caramel. The barista, already accustomed to her routine, prepared her usual order—a caramel macchiato—with practised ease. As Amanda took her cup and made her way to her preferred corner seat, she sighed with relief, anticipating a few moments of tranquillity amidst the chaos.
Settling into her chair, Amanda positioned herself strategically by the window, allowing her to overlook the bustling street outside. She took a sip of her coffee, savouring the sweet, rich flavour, and began to pull out her laptop and phone.