We arrived in minutes at the nearby hotel. I walked in to a comforting fire next to a neatly stacked pile of logs. The landlord was happy to see me and offered me a room overlooking the street below. I happily took it and was given provisions for my stay, having come unprepared for a night away. I sent a telegram to Mr Hartley, making him aware of my absence, quickly receiving a reply, which rather startled me. It read:
Thomas,
I have no opposition to your decision to stay in Crowling Ground, indeed I hope you enjoy some time off. I would, however, like to propose that you do some extra work to avoid me sending another man to your current placement. I wondered if you might make notes for a news report. I do not expect a full written article but the notes could benefit our writers. I will, of course, increase your pay for this work.
Mr Hartley.
It was unusual for Mr Hartley to be so open to one of his employees being away for any period of time, let alone be pleased about the idea. Neither did he find occasions for a pay rise. But as I young man, I overlooked this and jumped at the chance of increased salary, with no questions as to Mr Hartley's reasoning. I immediately collected a pen and some sheets of paper from the landlord and started to draft some notes on the area I had visited that morning.
After a short while, I went downstairs to eat supper before going to bed. The landlord gave me a hearty meal, which I thanked him for, and then I went to prepare myself for the coming morning.
YOU ARE READING
Ghosts of our Past
Short StoryA reasonable man with a reasonable job, Mr Thomas Kennedy is only too happy for a break. Little does he know just how wrong this will turn.
