The Night They Went Missing

Tanisha

Tanisha

6 days before she went missing

22nd April 2018

It was the next morning and I could hear George moving about downstairs. The radio blasting throughout the house, telling me to get out of bed.

 Stretching my arms out, I sat at the edge of the bed when a ping came from my phone. At first, I thought it would be from that anonymous person again, but thankfully it wasn't. Instead, it was labelled under 'mister' and my heart felt lighter. I know it was wrong to be having an affair, but I couldn't help it. When I met him in that bar when I was drowning my sorrows with alcohol, he came up to me, and we talked all night. He let me pour my broken heart out to him and it felt nice, knowing that this stranger wouldn't judge me and that I probably would never see him again. That was not true. We exchanged numbers and ever since then, we have been seeing each other after my shift finished. Part of me felt dreadful about what I was doing, after all I did have a husband who loved me. However, the other part of me enjoyed this excitement and feeling of mischievous behaviour. It was as if the gaping hole that was left in my heart was finally beginning to be filled with something else. 

 Opening the text up, it read: Hey, missing your gorgeous face. Wanna meet in Sherwood Forest after your shift? I smiled and respond with a yes and deleted the messages as soon as it showed he read them. I don't want George finding out and I would cover my tracks no matter what.

 Don't get me wrong, I love George or at least I tell myself I do, but he's never home anymore. I'm always left by myself, alone and isolated from everyone else while he's off working. I couldn't keep feeling like that, and he helps me feel connected to the cruel world that we all live in. He fills the hole in my heart that George cannot.

 Walking down the hallway and stairs, George is stood in the kitchen all ready for work with his briefcase by his foot and plates of food in his hands.

 "Morning darling. Made you some breakfast before I head out. Just think, tomorrow, I'm yours all day." he said as he kisses me on the cheek and grabs his suit off the wall rack, placing it on himself. 

 Smiling back at him, I watch him walk out the doors once again. His routine never changes. It's always the same and I'm left alone ... again. Though I decide not to dwell on the lonely feeling for after work, I'll see him again. 

 Quickly eating my breakfast, I wear the same clothes as yesterday, not bothering to change outfits. As I walk out those doors and start the engine, I feel ready for the day. 

 My day at work was the same as usual. Some people walked in and bought books. Others returned them or sat reading them on the table in the centre where Alton had to repeatedly tell them they would have to buy the book or leave. After all, this isn't a library. 

 It was a steady day with not much excitement, so when we were quiet, I sat in the corner reading a book of my own which I would take with me everywhere. I can't remember how many times I would read this book, but each time I would get more engrossed in the world I wished I lived in. It was much better than the harsh, cruel and dark world we lived in.

 As my shift began to close, Alton wished me a happy birthday and hoped I would have a good day, which I wished back. When I reached my car, I grabbed a make up bag out of my handbag and applied a few touches of make up on my face before setting off for Sherwood Forest.

 My car bounced from the small stones and the gavelled path, leading to the car park. Out the corner of my eye, I can see him, standing with his arms crossed and his muscular arms exposed. A smile forms on my face once again and as I step out of the car, a smile forms on his face as well.