Katie's Cafe

11

I grab the housekeeping trolly from the corridor that I'd seen earlier and wheel it into the room, ensuring that I leave no evidence behind before slipping out the same way I came in.

After dropping off the bedding at the hotel's laundry room, I swiftly grab my bags that I'd hidden on the way in and go out the back exit, keeping my head down to avoid any security cameras.

Once there's no more security cameras in sight and I'm confident that nobody will see me, I quickly get changed back into my normal clothes.

After removing the wig and glasses I'd bought, I stuff them deep down into the bottom of my shopping bags to conceal them until I can safely dispose of them later.

I unfortunately have to walk past the front of the hotel to get the nearest bus stop, so I can catch the next one back to the cafe. With Tom showing up like that, I'd been gone longer than expected.

When I come around the corner, I'm horrified when I catch sight of Tom standing next to a parked car and talking to who I can only assume must be the other detective I'd heard before.

"Sara?" he spots me, and is understandably, confused to see me there.

"Tom, what are you doing here?"

"I'm working at the moment, but what are you doing here? I thought you'd still be at work?"

"Okay, you caught me. This is a little embarrassing, but I've left Hannah in charge for a while so I could go out and buy a new outfit for our date tomorrow night".

"A date?" the other detective chimes in.

"Sara, allow me to introduce you to my colleague, Detective Sharpe".

"Please, call me Alan".

He reaches his hand out to greet me and I move back instinctively. It takes me a second, but I finally shake it.

"It's nice to meet you, Alan".

"So you're the mystery woman that Tommy here is always talking about? We were all beginning to think you were imaginary until we caught a glimpse of you last night," he laughs.

"Well as you can see, I'm most definitely real," I smile politely.

"Are you headed back to work now?" Tom asks me.

"Yes, so I'd better run to the bus stop and get back there before Hannah has a complete meltdown".

"Would you like a lift back with us? It's no problem," Alan asks while opening the car door for me.

"Thanks, you'd be doing me a massive favour," I accept without hesitation to avoid any suspicion.

If he only knew he was currently offering a ride in the back of this car to the very same woman they've been looking for. I can appreciate the irony of it, even if they can't.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Bye Tom. I'll text you later tonight, and thanks again for the lift Alan, you're a life saver," I tell them as I'm getting out of the car.

"I'll look forward to it," Tom smiles.

"You know we do sandwiches as well if you two ever want to call in for your lunch break or whenever?"

"They do say that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach. She's a real keeper, Tommy," Alan jokes.

"Are you quite finished embarrassing me for the day, Detective? Goodbye Sara," Tom smiles at me just before they drive away.

"I'm back," I tell the girls when I walk back into the cafe.

"You've been gone for ages! Show me what you've bought then," Hannah seems eager to see what's in the bags I'm carrying, but I can't show her just yet.