The Night Bakery

Rob started a new job in a bakery. His first shift began at eleven at night. "Who buys bread at this time?" he asked the owner.

"We make it now so it's ready in the morning," she explained.

Rob put small pieces of dough, the mixture used to make bread, on long trays. The work was harder than he expected. At two o'clock, his arms hurt, and he wanted to sit down.

Then a customer came to the side door to buy breakfast. She was on her way to work. The owner gave her a warm roll.

Later, a taxi driver stopped for coffee. At five, a cleaner bought bread before going home.

Rob watched people arrive while the rest of the street was dark. He began to understand the hours.

When he finished, he took a loaf home. His flatmate was just getting up. "Breakfast is ready," Rob said. Then he went straight to bed.