All in all, finest jewels are a small boutique. The company are currently seeking for more staff; we have 6 customers service assistant including Lucy and Kara who’s just recently joined. Michelle and Tracey who are both keen to become store managers, they've been in the company for just over a year. When Christina and I are on the early shifts, Lucy and Kara work after us. When we're on the late shift, we only see Michelle and Tracey only in passing on the early shift. Its predominately female staff. When I first got employed, I had met Christina at the interview stages. With this company they tend to employ two people at the same time that would be consistently working with each other. Christina and I have been working for finest jewels for just over 3 years. When partnered with someone at work, you tend to get fairly close which is how I and Christina's friendship had blossomed. I couldn't imagine working with anyone else but Chrissie. You get so used to someone's habits and know how they work. It’s now 2pm. Both Lucy and Kara make their way. We greet them and wish for them to have a good shift.
We both make our way to the office. My feet are suddenly feeling sore. Once in the office, I get my flats out of my bag and change my shoes. What a relief. I turn off the TV; make sure that I have everything before I leave the premises of work. I link arms with Chrissie whilst we make our way out.
“Thank god today is over and done with.”
“I know tell me about. I bet you’re looking forward to getting your dosage tonight.”
“You know that I find it hard to turn down an offer when I know I'll be satisfied Nadine.”
I can see the glint in her eyes, so mischievous.
“Sometimes I wonder what's in that mind of yours.”
“Trust me Nadine; you know how my mind is corrupted. You really wouldn't want to know.”
I laughed out loud at the moment. I decide to walk her to the bus station.
“I will see you tomorrow. Enjoy your night Chrissie.”
“Get home safe nadz and will see you first thing in the morning.”
Once Christina was on the bus, I make my way to catch my train. I have to take the Gatwick express to Victoria.
The train journey back takes roughly 30 minutes. I locate a seat in a quiet carriage with a few travellers. I contemplate on what to have for dinner when I get back home. I close my eyes for the duration of the journey. When the train abruptly stops, I know we have reached Victoria. It’s already 4:30pm. I get off at Victoria and have to make my route back to Holland Park. I take the Victoria line heading northbound towards seven sisters. I have to change at oxford circus to get onto the central line. Its rush hour. As you can imagine the trains are packed. I wait for the next train. I hate the feeling of people breathing on me. The next train is 2 minutes away. Thankfully the next train was not as packed. I managed to push my way through. I was sandwiched between two guys. I hated having someone in my personal space. I was grateful that the next stop was Oxford circus. I managed to push my way out. I was briskly walking to get the central line.
I had to get the central going towards Ealing. The train came fairly quick. I sat down on the seat nearest to the train doors, rested my head against the see through panel. I feel exhausted. I'm looking forward to getting home where I can just soak in the bath and curl up into a ball in bed. I somehow prevent myself from dozing off, when I can smell that same fragrance on that night when Chrissie and I went to central London. I look up but there is so many people standing up. I close my eyes again. The smell is engulfing me. I bathe in the smell and welcome it. Ah! It smells too damn good. It’s a mix of masculinity with a hint of sweet and spice. It amazes me that a fragrance can awaken sensations that have been dormant. I open my eyes. We're at Notting hill gate. The next stop is Holland Park. I decide to get up so I can get access to when the train stops. The train brakes abruptly making me fall right into a man who happened to be reading a newspaper. His newspaper is more crinkled due to my clumsiness. I am so red with embarrassment. I can't even bring myself to look at him. I mumble an apology. If the ground could swallow me up at any time it would be at this precise moment right now. I straighten myself without glancing back, thanking the heavens that the train door is open at Holland park station. I shoot off as quickly as lightening. Bustling out onto Holland parks main road. It’s nearing on 6pm. The roads are dark but alighted with street lamps. The wind is picking up. Its late autumn. The clocks have already gone backwards. I make it to my house. Once inside the warmth had embraced me. I turn on all the lights, illuminating my house like a Christmas tree. I take off my jacket and hang it on the wall. Kick off my shoes. I head straight upstairs to the bath. Needing to soak myself. I get undressed fairly quickly, slowly easing myself in the bath tub.
Once the water starts going cold, I turn on the shower cleansing myself as well as rinsing the bath. I grab my rope and wrap it tightly around me. I make my way to my bedroom, throwing on my pyjamas. My stomach starts to growl. I have not had anything to eat since earlier on. I drag myself back downstairs and see what I can make in a jiffy. I boil some noodles, which takes 5 minutes to cook. I eat it fairly quickly and head off to bed. Once in bed I put my alarm on. Just as I put my phone down, it starts to ring. Chrissie’s name is flashing repeatedly. I am slightly puzzled as I know she told me she will have company for the night. Oh what the heck. I'm a bit hesitant to answer.
“Hi Chrissie.”
“Oh yes! Oh yes! Keep on hitting my spot!”
“Hello.”
“Oh yeah, Do me good! Do me hard. Faster!!”
I am so mortified that I hang up the phone so fast like my hand has been scorched. I am speechless though saying that it’s not the first time Christina has called whereby she was getting off with someone.
I can't even remember the last time when I had been involved with someone. Sometimes what Christina does say, despite not listening her; she does have a point. I snuggle into bed; wrap my blankets tightly around me. I lay awake for a while before I drift off to a deep sleep.
I awake to the sounds of my alarm at 2:30am. For the first time I did not have that nightmare. In all fairness I do not recall dreaming of anything. I decide to stay in bed for a few more minutes. Once out of the bed, I start with my normal routine. I head to the bathroom, have a quick rinse under the shower. I look at what to wear, another pencil skirt with a cream coloured blouse, matched with floral tights. I grab the shoes I intend to wear at work which is a black suede platform shoes. I bring it downstairs and place in my bag. Slipping my feet into my flats. I call the cab to pick me up at my normal time. I snack on fruits with a breakfast biscuit and down it with hot tea. I apply minimal make up. Just as I have finished, my phone rings. It’s my cab. I grab my bag which I slip my phone and keys into it. I place my trench coat over me, buckling myself and head out.
It’s not that cold when I step out. I make my way inside the cab. We set off as soon as I close the door. I feel wide awake which is so rare, maybe it’s because I did not have any nightmares. I am relived and thankful at the same time. It feels like ages since I had a decent night’s sleep. For the past couple of weeks I always wake up feeling a sense of dread. For the time in weeks, I can say I have not been plagued. I daydream whilst glancing out of the window. A slight movement catches my vision. A man on the side of the side of the road clearly looked drunk to say the least. From what I can see he looks like he has been drowning his sorrows. He stumbles across right in front of the cab, the cab driver honks his horn, but as the car drives by, he somewhat looks familiar. He looks directly at me. My mind becomes scrambled. No way can that be him?! The same guy who had my shawl. It can't be him. I must be hallucinating. I rub my eyes and blink repeatedly but he's disappeared from my sight. My cab driver is clearly irritated and starts cursing in his foreign language.
“What a fool!” my cab driver barks.
“... I don't understand why people would just cross blindly into the road...” I conclude. Not knowing what else to say.
My cab driver remained quiet for the duration of th
e journey, which I was thankful for. I was trying to think back to that night where I had seen that stranger. But due to him being far I had not seen him close. I know he had those green eyes, tall, brown haired and a hint of stubble. But who I had seen a few moments ago looked like someone totally different. Evidently they were drunk, but I was sure it was the same face. He clearly looked like he had lost just about everything if that was him.
I had reached Gatwick in the nick of time precisely at 4:40am. Went straight through to security and onto the path leading to the office. Once inside the lights come on automatically, as there is a sensor. I put the kettle on to arrange making a cup of coffee for both Chrissie and I. Just then Christina walks in, looking even tired than yesterday. With a scarf wrapped around her neck. It does not take me long to suss out the reason.
“Morning Chrissie, I've made a cup of coffee for you.”
“Thanks Nadine, you're a life saver.”
“I can take a random guess why you have that ridiculous scarf covering your neck.”
“.... well we got carried away. I like being marked.”
“Oh talk about putting it on blast! It was like you were broadcasting your shenanigans live on radio. How on earth can you be calling me whilst you’re on the verge of climaxing? It sure puzzles me! ”
“I don't honestly know, Nadz. I am aware your number is on speed dial. I may have hit a number on my phone and it got connected to your line.”
“I am seriously worried about you. How can your phone be there when you are shagging someone at the same damn time? Shouldn't you be err focusing all your attention on him? Your hands should have been busy?”
“Says the girl whose literally been celibate for over 200 years!”
“Oi it has not been over 200 years! Such a drama queen you are Christina!”
“I don't have time to discuss this any further. We need to get finest jewels open then you can tell me the rest.”
“Ok deal.”
I quickly change from my flats to my platform heels. Both our coffees have gone Luke warm. We gulp them down, leaving the office and making our way to open finest jewels. This time Christina opens the outlet. She starts on the tills whilst I witness her. Both the tills are done. I turn on the lighting and the music system. I start on counting the stock and making a note in our records. Once completed. We wait for passengers to walk by. I ask Chrissie if she wants another coffee from Costa's.
She refuses but I need another dose of my caffeine. I motion to her that I will be getting my cappuccino to go. I walk to Costa’s and place my order. Within a few minutes I am back at finest jewels. I place the cup on the side, out of view. Christina looks at notes written in the diary.
“Is there anything interesting?” I question.
“Oh your back. That was quick. There are no notes. Just was checking just in case.”
“So tell me how was your night despite you leaving my memory and ears scarred?”
“It wasn't that bad was it?
“Seriously?! You got to be kidding me!”
I imitate her in a high pitched voice.
“Oh yes! Oh yes! Keep on hitting my spot! Oh yeah, Do me good! Do me hard. Faster!!”
“Did I sound exactly like that? Or are you teasing me?”
“You did sound similar to that.”
I smile looking at Christina’s expression. She looks appalled. I start to laugh.
“Honestly imagine had you called someone else? They would've been just as mortified as I was. But it’s not the first time.”
I couldn't help but think Christina must be slightly embarrassed for the first time in her life. A good way to seek pay back for all those times she teased me. Oh it feels good to have the tables turned.
Chapter 4
It's amazing how quick the time flies in the morning. A few passengers had shopped in our boutique, buying beaded bracelets. There was an offer on it. Buy 2 get one free. I was tidying up the shelves when I checked the time. It was approaching 8am. I inform Christina that I'm going on break. I go back to the office to get my purse. I'm in two minds as to what to have. I decide on getting a croissant with a latté. Instead of going back to the office. I sit outside of finest boutique. Seeing the sun rise on the early shifts makes me reflect. It’s amazing how many people have questioned whether working at an airport makes me want to travel. I have not been abroad since many years. Ever since I got this job, I did not have that much of a social life. Only when I had met Chrissie, she showed me the ropes. I wolf down the croissant, downed it with the latté. I stared out in the open, watching the sun rise. It’s one of those many things that I won't ever get tired of doing. Whilst I'm already on my break; people at this time are either waking up or getting ready for work. Working in the airport feels like you are in your own little bubble.
I glance at my watch. Its 8:50am. I chuck away the empty paper bag that had my croissant as well as the carton cup. I need to put my purse back before I go back on the shop floor. I quickly walk to the office, shove my purse back into my bag. Within seconds I'm back on the shop floor. I had to take off some of the stock and replace it with the new items which are on promotion. I consider getting the job done but decide against it just in case any customers come in the boutique. I keep myself idle for the hour, as Chrissie has gone on her break. A few customers have stepped in. I can tell they are mainly window shoppers as we like to call them. They don't remain in the boutique for long. I decide to continue where I left off in regards to tidying up the displays. I polish the shelves, keeping it dust free. I replace the items that we had managed to sell. Some of the stock is kept in the cabinets under the displays which are locked. Due to the fact we are a small boutique the items we do sell are exclusive. We rarely sell the same item for a month. I look to see if we have any more leaflets but there's none. I decide to look in the diary to see if there are any notes. From last night a note was left by either Lucy or Kara saying that more items will be on promotions. We should be receiving new leaflets. Ah so that would explain it.
Just then Christina comes back. She glances at me with an enquiring look.
“What is it?”
“Huh, what you talking about nadz?”
“You know exactly what I'm talking about, that look. The enquiring look. You want to ask me something?”
“No, no.”
“Hmmm, if you say so Chrissie. Any ways how was your break?”
“I ended up sleeping. I feel rough.”
“Obviously you would! Especially after your antics from last night. Will you be receiving third helpings tonight then by Mr who?”
“I’m not seeing Tom tonight. I don't even have the stamina.”
“Finally you know his name after the second time you've seen him. That is an improvement by your standards!”
“Hey!”
“See, now you know how it feels to be teased!”
“Got any plans tonight Nadz? How do you feel if we have a movie night? It can be either at yours or mines.”
“I was thinking of the same to be fair. We haven't done that in ages. You can stay over at mines. You can supply the movie whilst I make dinner. Deal?
“Deal.”
It’s already 10:45 nearing on11am. I decide to take out the new items and get them on the system to be price tagged. We normally receive the prices the following day. Christina knows I have to do the prices for the new items which I'll be putting out on display for our late shift. I've been given tasks as the managers have mentioned that I may be promoted to managerial role. I manage to get most of the prices done. The price tags should come in tomorrow on our late shift. Christina serves the customers who do purchase any items leaving me undisturbed. I complete the task just before 1:30pm. I decide to leave the rest for Kara and Lucy. I do the till checks with Chrissie. It’s already 2pm. Kara and Lucy has just entered the boutique. I tell Kara and Lucy if they can finish off getting the prices for the items that I didn't manage to complete. There was only a handful left. I wish both the two g
irls to enjoy their shift and enjoy their two days off. Christina has already made her way to the office. Just as I was stepping in the office she was on her way home.
“You going to come round tonight then?”
“Yeah, I need to get spare clothes especially if we're coming to work tomorrow together. I can also bring a few movies that you can choose from.”
“Sure. Drop me a text when you will be making your way on the Gatwick express.”
“Will do. Get home safe.”
Christina is out the door when I look back. I take off my platform shoes and put my flats back on. I head out. I walk briskly where I need to catch the Gatwick express back to Victoria. The train has just reached at 2:30pm. I should get to Victoria just after 3pm. I enter the train and lounge in the chair. Glad that tomorrow I am on my late shift. The train departs just after a few minutes. The train is relatively quiet. I think about the events of this morning. Could that have really been the same person who I saw on that night when Chrissie and I went out? My mind refuses to believe it. Just then I receive text from Chrissie: Hey Hun, reached my house. Packed a few things, brought a few movies. I will be getting the train to Victoria in like 20 minutes. Will see you shortly
Vanished: What Would You Do If The Love Of Your Life Disappeared Without A Trace? (Nadine's quest to unravel the truth Book 1) Page 3
