Luke's Diary: An unlucky man in a zombie apocalypse. Days 601 - 756

Day 740: Wednesday 5th September 2018

https://www.facebook.com/150585268715788/posts/519427751831536/

Day 740
Wednesday 5th September 2018

Well Caroline and I have just got back from Donald and Mia's. We had a really nice time, the food was gorgeous and apart from a tense moment when Naomi's name popped up, the whole evening was lovely. Kyle didn't go because he was in a bit of a mood. His first day back at school didn't go well and Miss Fitch wasn't very nice to him. I think I may have to give this Fitch person a call.

Anyway, the dinner party was great. It was nice to see TJ out of work and see him with Trudy. I know they have their little ups and downs but they are a sweet couple. He keeps her on her toes and she certainly gives him a run for his money. Caroline asked when Trudy was going to have a baby. We all burst into laughter imaging what sort of a Dad TJ could be. "I've already got one child with TJ," said Trudy, "I don't know if I can handle another, especially if it's a mini-TJ." "Ah you know you love me," said a flirty TJ as he gave Trudy a big kiss.

We were all telling Harold and Mia how much we loved their house and how Parrissa cooked the best food any of us had ever eaten when Harold starting asking me lots of questions about how I was feeling. It started off fine but it I started feeling a bit uncomfortable when he wouldn't stop bombarding me with questions. "Any headaches?" he asked, "Muscle pain, strange visions, anything like that?" "Christ Harold," giggled TJ, "If they're the side effects of having the food I think we should have all gone to McDonalds." "Harold why are you asking him so many questions?" asked Caroline. "Yeah what's going on?" I asked, "You're starting to freak me out." "Well I'm just making sure you're OK," said Harold. "Chill out Harry old man," said TJ, "You're a scientist, not a Doctor. Boss is OK aren't you?" "Yeah I'm fine," I said, looking at Harold and feeling confused. "I just worry about you," said Harold, "You're a young man with stressful job. You need you make sure you're looking after yourself." "Don't you worry Harold," said Caroline, "I'm looking after him. If he ends up working too hard, I'll see to him." "Well," said Harold with a smile, "I guess I have nothing to worry about."

We continued eating our dinner but I thought Harold's questions were a bit weird. Richard asked me about security jobs. I told them that we didn't have any vacancies but that I'd keep his CV on file. Let's hope he speaks no more about it. I told everyone about visiting Auntie Meryl's grave and how I bumped into Lindon. "You didn't talk to him did you?" asked Caroline. "No I didn't," I said. "Good," said Caroline, "After what he did to Tara he should be locked up. I'm surprised he's not in prison." "Let's not ruin the evening by talking about that guy," said Tara, "I have something much more interesting to talk about." Tara looked at me with a glint in her eye and a cheeky smile. "Oh here we go," I said, "I wondered how long it would take to get on to this." "What's going on?" asked Caroline. "I want to do a story on how Luke stopped that pensioner from being attacked and mugged the other day." "Oh that sounds so exciting," said Mia. "Yeah, that does sound pretty good," said Caroline. "Oh calm down," I said, "It's only the local Feemh Oak rag." "Oi, that's the newspaper I work for, thank you very much," said Tara, "Come on Luke, just a couple of photos and a few words, and I'll do the rest. I've been telling EVERYONE about this." "God you've got a charmed life," TJ joked, "How come it's you that gets in the paper whilst I always get the sh*t end of the stick." "TJ, stop it," said Trudy, "We're eating." I shrugged in a disinterested manner. "Luke, aren't you bothered about being in the paper again?" asked Mia. "Not really," I said, "You're the famous author. I'm just a guy doing his job." "So don't you WANT to be in the paper?" asked Mia. "I can take it or leave it," I said. "Well in that case you can take it," said Tara, "Meet me in the town square at noon tomorrow. I'll get Mrs Higginsworth, we'll have a nice photo of the two of you and I'll do the rest." "How exciting," said Mia, "I wish I was in the paper." "Oh yeah?" giggled TJ, "Page three?" "TJ, shut up," said Trudy. "You want to be careful what you say TJ," I said in a light hearted manner, "If you say that in the workplace it could be seen as sexual harassment. Sexism even. Don't let Roz catch you saying stuff like that." "Roz?" said TJ, frowning with confusion, "Who's Roz?" My mind suddenly went blank. I knew the name but I couldn't remember how I knew the name. "Err . . . I don't know," I said, sounding puzzled. "Is she someone you work with?" asked Richard. "There's no one at our place called Roz," said Mia. "That's weird," I said, "Why did that name suddenly come into my head?" "I think Harold might be right boss," chuckled TJ, "Maybe you're losing the plot. Get Rick to sack you and put me in charge." "We all have moments like that Luke," said Harold, "Don't worry about it. Anyway, I think we need to move on to desert."

As we tucked into desert and told Parrissa how delicious it was, Mia dropped a right clanger. "Has anyone seen anything of Naomi?" she asked. The atmosphere took a sudden nose dive and quickly became very uncomfortable. "Oh, sorry," said Mia, "I forgot we weren't supposed to talk about her. Sorry Caroline." "Don't worry about it Mia," said Caroline, with a forced polite smile, "It's fine." A tense atmosphere lingered for a while. "Christ this is uncomfortable," said TJ. "TJ, be quiet," said a firm Trudy. "I'm serious," said TJ, "I've been sat here farting like a trooper and everyone's talking has helped to cover them up." There was a short silence which was followed by all of us laughing. Thank God for TJ. He certainly knows how to break the tension, however I could tell Caroline wasn't happy and when we got home I knew about it!

When Caroline and I entered the house she marched into the living room and slammed her bag on the coffee table. "Come on then," I said, "Let's get it out of the way." "You told me that people knew not to mention HER name," snapped an angry and upset Caroline. "Yes," I said, "But you know how forgetful Mia can be. She knew she'd f*cked up as soon as she opened her mouth." "I don't want to think about THAT woman," said a firm but emotional Caroline, "I will not have her in my life. Not after what happened. Do you understand?" "Yes," I said, "I understand. Just calm down." "Bl**dy Mia," snapped Caroline, "Why does she never THINK before she opens her mouth." "Come on," I said, "Be fair. She didn't mean any harm. Just forget about it. It's all over now." "It all comes flooding back to me," said an angry Caroline, "Every time I hear that woman's name, I just remember everything." I put my hands on Caroline's arms and did my best to reassure her that everything was OK and that this was just a thoughtless blip caused by Mia being Mia. We kissed and hugged and everything turned out fine. I didn't say anything to Caroline but even to this day, I still think it's a bit of an over-exaggeration. It was just a kiss. I know I'm a married man and I shouldn't have done it, but it was just a kiss – not a full blown sexual affair. I'm not going to say that of course. I want to avoid the subject as much as possible. I was about to text Mia and sarcastically and bluntly tell her thanks for opening her big mouth but before I had a chance to start typing she sent me a text telling me how sorry she was. I can't be mad at her. I told her that Caroline and I had forgotten about it and that she should too.

One thing I didn't tell Harold over dinner was that I had another strange dream last night. Mind you, I know he was interested but I don't think a weird dream means I'm stressed out. Everyone has weird dreams that don't make sense. This time I was in the same dingy room, looking around for a way to get out – as if I was locked in. Pretty weird I guess but nothing to worry about.

I'm writing my diary at the dining room table now. I still haven't found my other diary, but just as I've been writing it something a bit peculiar happened. I heard a sound coming from the front door as if someone had posted something through the letter box. Feeling tired but curious I stood up and walked over to the door to find a small piece of folded up card on the mat. I picked up the card, unfolded and saw the following text written on it; LOOK IN THE BACKGROUND. This was WEIRD! I had no idea what this was, what it meant or who it was from. I grabbed my keys, unlocked and opened the front door and peered outside. No one was about. Very strange. Anyway, it's getting late, I'm really tired and I'm not interested in looking out for, what is probably kids, p*ssing about. I need to get to sleep and get ready for my close up for yet another newspaper story tomorrow. . . .