100-Word Fiction: ‘Jesus of Kingsway’

Jesus takes the rubbish out when the last customers leave the café at 5.45, nods to the lads on the street and goes back inside, brings down the shutters, exits by the back. Charlie and Isaiah are the first to the bags, carefully untying the orange plastic and reaching inside. Ricky and Mohammed look on, pointing and waiting their turn. It’s a good day. There is an armful of baguettes that can be shared round, a few tubs of salad, some milk and yoghurt. Each takes their share, the bags are retied – and the lads disappear into the cold night.