To Love, To Die

Chapter 22

When I got back to the hotel around 11 Joe wasn’t there and he hadn’t been back since we left yesterday afternoon. I was slightly concerned over this and tried to call him to make sure he was alright but the call went straight to the answering service, so I left him a text asking him to contact me. After an hour of our shift starting and there was still no sign of Joe, Henry asked me if I knew where he was. Of course I said I ‘didn’t and hadn’t he heard from him’

‘No’ was his simple reply

“We had an argument yesterday and he stormed off” I admitted “but I thought he would have come back here”

“You two argued” shock evident in his voice and I nodded my reply

“But you two are close; what went on that would cause such a reaction”

I looked to my feet, shrugged and fidgeted slightly

“Greg” Henry’s voice demanding

“There are things I need to discuss with you” my face still downcast

“Is it urgent, with one person down I need you working”

“It can wait”

“Ok, I will see if I can get hold of Joe. I’ll see you at the end of the day when all guests are settled unless Joe turns up” then left.

Jenny came to the desk then and asked what that was about and I mumbled a ‘nothing’

“Do you know why Joe didn’t show up” she asked from her seat on the desk

“No, I’m not his keeper”

“But” and before she could finish her sentence I told her to mind the desk

“Where are you going, that’s your job” she protested

“Get over it” I shrugged “I cover you all the time” and left before she could protest.

Guilt and confusion washed over me and I needed a few minutes to myself to think. I called Leo for some reason, and told him that Joe had disappeared and how I was feeling. He asked if I wanted to go to his place tonight seeing as I had tomorrow off and would be seeing him anyway; he could wait up for me

“I would love to see you, but no. I need to talk to my boss after work”

“Well call if you change mind ok”

I thanked him and said I needed to get back to work before saying goodbye and hanging up, feeling slightly better for talking to him. I guess I was screwed with my feelings and need for him.

With a conference going on and one member of staff down I was kept busy which was a good thing because it steered me away from my thoughts and feelings, but when 9:45 came and the few guests we had were in their rooms Henry came to me and said we could talk; it all hit me. I sat in his office and before I could gather the courage to start he told me he’d got hold of Joe