Crystal Tea

Crystal Tea is at Shop No.11 in the Kemps Corner building in Shahad. Being so near the station defines the way we work. Most people are rushing to catch a train or heading home, so we have to be quick. There isn't much time for long conversations during the morning rush. The shop is small and keeps things simple. We have the stove, milk cans, and plenty of glass cups. Corporate branding and fancy logos don't exist here. It’s just a plain tea shop where how the tea tastes is what matters. The noise from the trains has become so familiar that we hardly notice it anymore. We start when it’s still dark so the first commuters can get their drink. The smell of boiling milk and ginger usually fills the air. Our staff is small, just a couple of us working the counter. It gets a bit chaotic when a large group arrives at once, but we manage to get through it. We aren't trying to be the biggest shop in Shahad. Being the one people can count on is enough for us. We keep the glasses clean and the kettle hot. It’s a busy, noisy, and honest way to make a living at Kemps Corner. We just keep our heads down and serve the next person.