The Double Shift Favor
A free A1-level English story for language learners, readable online in 7 languages, with an option to listen via the free Storyteller app.
Odalys covers a sick coworker's shift at the café and ends up with a busier, more rewarding day than she expected.
That was the preview! Hear the full story in the free Storyteller app. Get the app
Audio isn't available right now.
Odalys works the morning shift at a small café. Today looks like a quiet Tuesday. She checks the schedule at nine.
Her phone buzzes with a message from Casper. He feels sick and cannot come in today. Odalys reads the message twice.
Her manager calls a minute later. "Can you cover his shift too?" he asks.
Odalys thinks about her afternoon plans. She only had small errands today. "Sure, I can stay," she says.
The café gets busy right after lunch. A big group comes in for a birthday. Odalys makes drink after drink without stopping.
A regular customer looks around. He does not see Casper today. "Two shifts today?" he asks.
"Yes, a coworker is sick," Odalys says. "It's a busy day."
By six, the café finally slows down. Odalys wipes down the counter one last time. She counts the tips from both shifts.
She earned a lot of extra money today. She sends Casper a short message. "Get well soon," she writes.
Odalys locks the front door and turns off the lights. She walks home with a bag of leftover pastries.
