TIFFIN 3

23

I pondered over Diedre's proposal for three days. A feeling deep in my gut constantly warned me away. It was strange. I'd never felt anything like it before.

Eli had asked at lunch what the call was about but I denied him an answer. The last thing I needed was to get my employees involved in my business.

Like an idiot, of course, I'd agreed.

On my way, I hoped that we weren't eating. As of late, my appetite decreased due to my depression. 

Why couldn't I just let him go?

Because no one will be able to ever love you as he did.

As coordinated, I parked in front of the vacant cafe, the clock reading nine-fifty. The annoying voice inside my head, repeated it's mantra:

Don't go in. Don't go in.

All I wanted was for my nerves to calm. How bad could this meeting be really? It was in a public place.

Yeah, but there's no one here.

Rolling my eyes, I exited my car, slamming the door to make my prescence known. I saw movement inside making me feel more at ease. After a minute or so, I saw Diedre materialize in the darkened building. 

She unlocked the door grinning.

"I was fretting that you would never show." She said.

I tightened my purse over my shoulder.

"I thought it was a good idea to patch things up. I mean, after all, when are you going to apologize again?"

I winced, already knowing I uttered the wrong thing.

Diedre's face did tighten though she seemed unfazed.

"Fair point my dear. Please have a seat."

As I sat at a small table, I waited for her to flick on some lights though she didn't. Peering through the darkness, I caught sight of the display glass, watching shadows from the street dance across it.

For a moment, I wondered if Diedre owned this place.

She smiled.

"As I said, I am truly sorry. About what I said. Water under the bridge. I do really want to involve you in his search."

I shuddered, eerily reminded of the CSI shows on the television.

"What's your game plan?"

Her hands splayed out on the greasy table.

"This and that. So tell me... what was your relationship with my grandson really like? I'm curious."

I flinched, taken aback by the change in conversation.

"Um... well...."

I was about to go on until I heard something.

 A clang. 

Bounding off the walls of the cafe was an intense ringing making me lurch in my seat.

Diedre ignored this, waving her hand through the air.

"Don't mind that. It's an old building. So tell me."

Once again, I was about to delve back into conversation when I heard a shuffle and swiveled around to find a shadow move across the glass.

I jumped out of my seat. No. This all felt wrong.

 With my heart pounding in my chest, I backed towards the entrance door.

We weren't alone.

"Wait!" Deidre called. "We haven't finished!"

When I heard another sound, I didn't pause to respond. I bolted for the door, flinging myself into the night air. Grabbing my keys, I locked myself into the Kia, putting the car in reverse.

To my horror, when I glanced back up at the door, a dark figure was standing alongside Diedre, who seemed perfectly unfazed.