Got time for a story?

Along with tasting notes, our coffees come with memory notes—a mouthful of words to contextualize what you’re drinking.

Editor’s Blend

From behind her desk (French oak, inherited) on the 2nd floor of the aptly named Newspaper House in Cape Town’s city bowl, Eleanor’s daydreaming again. 

This time, she wanders back to her student days of noodles for supper, caramel for pudding, and a Camel Light for her figure. They’re so distant a memory that she can’t quite believe they happened. As the assistant editor of the city’s leading newspaper in a time of turmoil, things look a little different now. Like her face, for instance. Accustomed to reading between the lines, Eleanor’s practised eye traces the ones lengthening around her cheeks. Never mind. 

After lunch the paper’s art director, Graham, sticks his head in for a quick word. He’s quite new, but comes with a refreshing and earnest enthusiasm; a classic trait from a recent Natal transplant to the Cape. 

‘Could we run through the cartoons for the next edition?’ he asks. ‘There’s something odd about the way Johan’s drawing the prime minister – almost like he doesn’t want him to look like a crocodile.’ 

‘Typical Johan – always on the verge of a nervous breakdown that he’s about to be arrested for treason. Hand them over.’ 

Eleanor uncaps a red pen and leaves copious notes, arrows, and circles on the cartoons before handing them back to Graham with a smile. She hadn’t noticed the dimple in his chin before. As Graham heads for the door, he’s filled with hazy and pleasant impressions of the bedroom at his grandmother’s house that he used to sleep in as a boy on holiday. She was the kind of lady who kept cakes of soap (peach, brought over from Harrod’s) in her cupboards. Somehow, he’s right there again, wistful and cosy. 

He turns back and looks at Eleanor, chocolate hair framing her big eyes. ‘Actually, I have one more question.’