Clover Village

Chapter 26 - City Tourist

SUE

I'm still amazed that I slept. I was exhausted. This whole situation with Harry took me by surprise. He didn't leave a note or said anything to anybody.

After everything that happened at the hospital, I was sure that he wanted nothing to do with his mother. When we said goodbye before we left on vacation, we even made plans to go to the seaside. Why the sudden change?

I'm glad that I have his sister's contact details. She called me to get in touch with Harry. She seems to be the only one that cares about him.

I called her after confirming that Harry had left Cloverfield, and she didn't answer at first. Later, she messaged me she can't talk, that her mom is keeping watch on them, but that she will help me. That is when I booked a last-minute flight to the city.

I informed her of my plan and right after I arrived; I received a message saying that Harry has an appointment at the Colfield head office today at nine.

I step out of the hotel and feel lost. Where to begin? I get my phone and search for the Colfield head office address. The doorman helps me to call a taxi, and I show the address to the driver.

"Seems like everybody wants to go to that building today," the driver says as he pulls on the street and makes a signal with his hairy arm. "The kid returns and everybody is making a fuss about it. I say, let him live life the way he wants. If you don't mind me asking; what kind of business do you have in that place?" He says, looking at me through the rearview mirror.

"I have an interview," I lie.

"Well, good luck to you," he says and starts singing out of tune together with his radio.

When we eventually arrive, I realize what he means. The entrance to the lobby is full of photographers. Security guards stand by the doors and only people that show them an id may enter. I will never be able to get in.

A man bumps me on his way to the door and hits my injured arm. It hurts like hell. He didn't even care that he pushed me. I hate big cities, give me my small village anytime.

The crowd gets antsy when a black sedan comes around the corner. The cameras start clicking and flashing as the car comes closer. I look at my watch. It is five to nine. The person in this car could be Harry.

The driver and the passenger get out, and two more security guards come outside. They are keeping the photographers away from whoever is in the car and me with them.

The driver opens the door and Harry steps out. His hair is slicked back neatly, and he is wearing a suit and sunglasses. People are shouting at him to look at their cameras, but he only looks ahead.

"HARRY!" I yell, trying to compete with the crowd.

Harry turns his head towards my voice. He stops for a second, but one of the security guards escorts him inside. I feel my heart sinking to my feet. Is this it? Is it over between us?

"He looked at the girl!"

"She is also hurt!"

"Were you together when Harold Colfield got injured?"

I'm blinking madly at the flashes. I try to walk away, but the photographers have surrounded me. My back hits a wall, and I feel confused and even pissed. Does he have to deal with this all the time?

Suddenly, I feel a hand on my arm. I look up to see one of the security guards that was at the door.

"Come with me," he says. "The rest of you fuck off! There is nothing to see here."

We walk inside the building, and I'm still shocked by what just happened.

"Are you okay? Do you want a glass of water?" He says, and I nod.

The man brings me some water, and I gulp it.

"What is your name?"

"Sue Garnett."

"I'm Lawson. Harold asked me to take good care of you. Do you live around here?"

"No, I come from Clover Village."

"I see. How do you know him?"

"I have known him for the past six years, and recently he became my boyfriend. He left Clover and didn't tell anybody, including me. His sister said that he would be here at nine. You probably don't believe a word I'm saying."

"I do. Otherwise, he wouldn't have asked me to do this. Are you staying in a hotel, then?"

"Yeah, at the City Plaza."

"Don't you worry. Let's get you back to your hotel. You will be safer there. I will let Harold know where to find you."

"But the photographers-"

"They are probably gone by now. They already got the shots they want to sell."

Lawson talks to the woman behind the reception who makes a call.

"Your car is here."

I stand up and follow him outside. A black sedan, just like the one Harry stepped out, is waiting for me. Lawson talks with the driver and opens the door for me.

"Thanks, Lawson," I say.

"I'm sure that he had his reasons. Give him a chance to explain," Lawson says before closing the door.

The driver brings me back to the hotel. I don't know what to think. I also don't want to have high hopes of seeing him again. I order some food to my room and read the book that I bought for the vacation. I glance at my phone from time to time, but I only have messages from Eric and Daisy.

-*-

I startle at my phone's ringtone. I fell asleep. I hold my phone and press the button, but I don't get the screen. The battery is empty. I look desperately for my charger and plug it in. A few seconds of start up feel like years. My hands are shaking, and my heart is beating hard. Finally, the display comes to life, and I have a message. I open it, but is just another message from Eric asking about the return flights.

I type a quick message and go to the bathroom. My hair is a mess. I comb it and hear the ringtone again. Dammit, Eric! What do you want now?

I log in again and open the message envelope.

'Can you meet me at the restaurant of your hotel? I'm here already. Harry'