Betrayals & Truths by M T Greenlay

Author:M T Greenlay [Greenlay, M T]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: MarkG Publishing
Published: 2020-04-03T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

Mandy was true to her word and arrived early the next morning with a wide beam on her face. I had already been to see Gavin after breakfast, and so was now keen to get out of my hospital room after being reassured that he was alright.

“Luckily, we are the same size, so I brought some clean clothes for you,” Mandy said, offering me the bag she carried.

Dipping into the small bathroom, I quickly dressed in an old pair of jeans. Buttoning the red blouse Mandy had brought before slipping into some sneakers. It felt good to be finally out of the starched hospital gown. But after thanking Mavis and the other nurses for the care they had given me, I still paused nervously at the hospital doors.

“What is it?” Mandy asked patiently.

“I guess I’m just not looking forward to seeing all the devastation that the storm has caused. Especially the restaurant,” I admitted glumly.

“Listen, we don’t have to do that today. We can always just go straight to my place.”

“No, it’s fine. I have to face up to it at some point.”

The day was bright, and I blinked rapidly after emerging from the dark halls of the hospital. Following Mandy to her car and climbing into the passenger seat. I remained silent as she drove through the town’s streets. Shocked at the sights around me, as people continued to clear up the rubble from the many buildings that had fallen. And although I had every sympathy for the other local business owners and residents of Emerald Bay, it was the Ole Tapas and Bar that I was mainly concerned about.

Though nothing could have prepared me for what I saw when Mandy pulled up outside the restaurant. One side of the place had collapsed and provided a stark reminder of the tree that had fallen through the roof and injured both me and Gavin. That had been removed now, though, and some men in high visibility jackets and hard hats were erecting a temporary covering to try and protect what was left.

My hand went to my throat in horror, barely able to believe just how much damage had been caused. Yet it was heart-warming to see that all the staff were there helping with the clean-up. And according to Mandy, they all had been there since after the storm had hit. A large dumpster that had been placed at the side of the road already overflowing with rubble and long slats of wood.

Luis was the first to wrap his arms around me, his grey moustache tickling my skin as he kissed my cheek. He was a short, portly man with gentle brown eyes that were now filled with sadness. He had worked at the restaurant for the past ten years and was now thought of more as a family member rather than just an employee.

The rest of the staff were quick to follow his example and offered their own mumbled words of comfort. And although I could see that

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