Ghosts

Part 4 The Night That Killed Me

I struggled over the next few weeks. Mostly because my disgusting past had literally been dug up, and was fresh in my mind again. I found it hard to shake. Partly because I expected a knock on the door from the police. What if they had some evidence linking Felicity to me? But that knock never came. Natasha knew there was something wrong, but I couldn't tell her. Imagine how she would feel about me If she knew who I really was. She was so caring and understanding, doing anything she could to try and make me feel better. I didn't deserve her. I knew I had to shake that mood, or she'd start to ask questions. I'd buried that past once before, and I had to do it again. I just failed to realize, that like Felicity, things don't always want to stay buried.

It was Natasha's' birthday, so I'd decided she deserved spoiling, waking her with flowers and breakfast in bed. I told her I'd booked the expensive restaurant in the city that she'd always wanted to go to, the place that was impossible to get a table. She deserved it. The problem was, I had a long shift I'd not been able to get out of, and I would have to meet her at the restaurant. It was dinner time, and I was sitting in the staff cafeteria having my lunch when Konrad, the security guard from the front desk, came looking for me.

"Mr.James," He said, "I'm so sorry to disturb your break."

"That's Ok, Konrad," I smiled, "What's the problem?"

"There is a man at the front desk. I think he's looking for you."

"You think?" I asked, a little confused

"Yeah," He explained, "But he's asking for a Joey James who is the manager here. I told him that Jordan James is the manager here, but he insists...."

"Where is he?" I interrupted.

"He's by the front desk."

I'd heard enough. I got up from the table and quickly made my way into the store and towards the front desk. I'd only ever told one person in Cadmouth my name was Joey, and that was Natasha. It worried me that someone would be looking for Joey, especially after what had happened weeks earlier involving Felicity. I reached the desk to find no one waiting.

"Where is he?" I asked Konrad as he also reached the desk

"He was right here," he replied, "Did you see where the gentleman that was looking for Mr. James went?" He asked, turning his attention to Mavis, who worked on the customer service desk.

She pointed outside to a black range rover in the car park. I quickly made my way outside, but as I got close, the car pulled away, I couldn't see who was inside because of the tint on the windows. I slowly moved back into the store. I was worried. Who was in Cadmouth looking for Joey?

"Everything Ok, Mr. James?" Asked Konrad, seeing my concern.

"Yeah," I replied unconvincingly, "If that guy comes back, come and get me straight away."

He agreed to come and get me if he returned, and I went back to my day, but I was on edge. It had unsettled me knowing someone had referred to me as Joey in Cadmouth. I spent the rest of the day working near the front of the store, so I could see out into the car park and spot the car if it was out there. I couldn't shake the feeling that maybe I was being watched.

It was after five, and I was still on edge, even though nobody had been back to the store, but my heart sank when I saw Konrad approaching again.

"Mr. James," He said

"Is he back?" I blurted, "Where is he?"

"Where's who?"

"The guy who was looking for me? Is he back?" I asked