32 - The Hayes Mystery

JUNE’S POV

The name “James” sent my mind running.

I kept my head down and focused on one of the books beside me instead of contemplating running out the door.

I heard footsteps from the stairs but I could not make out a face because of the shelves.

“James, this is June.” I heard Mr Lewis say and immediately raised my head.

Instead of dirty blonde hair and green eyes, I saw ginger hair and soft brown eyes.

I felt the relief in my bones.

“Hello.” The boy waved at me. He didn’t look much older than me, maybe a year or two.

They began talking in low voices and I took that time to walk a bit and check the books around me.

There were a lot of bestselling novels like A Little Life, Book Lovers, Lord of The Rings and a lot others I recognized. They weren’t too expensive either.

“June?” I heard my name and moved towards the pair.

“Congratulations. Welcome to the store, James will give you a tour since I have some things to finish up.” Mr Lewis explained and went into his office, leaving me and his nephew behind.

“Don’t mind my uncle, my name is Tom. Don’t call me James, I don’t really like the name.” Tom stretched out his hand and I shook his hand.

“But you like Tom?” I asked.

“I know it’s strange but that’s the way I like it.” He said with a smile. His teeth were the definition of “pearly whites”.

“Anyways, let me show you around.” He said and began pointing out different sections, where the trending books were, and how to arrange the books.

My job description didn’t entail anything too tasking. I just needed to help sell the books, arrange new books coming in.

Tom would be there to assist and basically do every other thing that I couldn’t.

“This book is my favorite.” He pointed out “Madonna in a Fur Coat” while smiling.

“Do you read?” He turned to look at me.

“Yeah, it’s my favorite activity.” I responded.

“And you’ve never read this?” He asked.

“Well, I’ve heard of it and I plan on reading it. Just don’t have the time.” I explained.

“Oh, you’re in sixth form?” He asked.

“Yes.” I responded.

“Oh, it must be tough juggling work and school together. I know what that feels like.” He said with a soft smile. He looked nostalgic as he spoke.

Silence stretched between us, but it was comfortable. I had a feeling he was a nice person and we’d get along pretty well.

“Anyways, we’ve come to the end of the tour. I hope you enjoy working with my uncle, he can be a bit of a crack head but he’s a really good person and employer.”

I nodded my head and offered a small smile.

He walked me to the door and waved goodbye as I left.

I checked the time and realized I’d missed the bus.

“Shit.” I said to myself before I started walking towards the nearest bus stop.

It took about twenty minutes of walking with no break for me to reach it. I had to wait another twenty five for the bus to arrive.

It was already almost eight as I walked through the door, hoping my mum wasn’t around.

Much to my relief, she hadn’t returned.

If she saw me, she’d definitely know why I was late.

I did not want to lie to her but I knew she would not want me to take up another job.

Just five minutes later, she walked in. “June!”

“I’m here!” I answered and quickly wrapped my wet hair in a small shabby towel.

“I brought food.” I said a quiet prayer of thanksgiving before coming out of my room.

“Thank you Jesus.” I told her as I sat to eat.

We ate in silence, except for the sounds of laughter coming from our neighbors apartment. Laughing at a show that probably wasn’t funny.

“June,” my mum said.

“The next few weeks are going to be tough. Your dad might not be able to work for a while and I won’t be around much.” She started, I could hear the sadness in her voice.

I knew my mum never wanted this life for me. She never wanted me to work for us.

“Your grandma will be here soon. I just want you to know that I love you. And I never wanted you to go through any of this.” I could hear her voice breaking.

“It’s okay, I understand. We’ll go through this as a family and we’ll definitely make it out too, like we always do.” I tried to cheer her up.

The words tasted wrong on my tongue, like I was spewing words I didn’t fully believe.

“I know it might not seem like it. But I promise, I’ll do everything I can to make sure this doesn’t last.” She whispered as I hugged her.

Determination was evident in her voice.

She was the strongest person I knew.

“I know,” I said softly in her ear.

“Now, how about that boy?” She said mischievously as she dabbed the corners of her eye with a napkin.

“Mum,” I said.

“What? I can’t ask about your boyfriend?” She wiggled her eyebrows.

“Fake boyfriend.” I reminded her.

“I still hear the word boyfriend though.” She retorted.

“He’s alright.” I told her.

“Come, tell me about him.” She said.

“Well, he’s in my school obviously.” I started. “He plays football for Arsenal, he’s a prodigy actually. I also tutor him for politics-” I trailed off.

“Hmm,” she said with a strange expression on her face.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” I asked.

“You have this look on your face when you talk about him. It might not be obvious to others but as your mother, I can definitely see it.” She started.

“Something shone in your eyes while you were speaking. It looked a lot like the look your father had on his face as he confessed his feelings for me back then.” She added with a wide smile on her face.

“Maybe no?” I said which made her laugh.

We spent the rest of the night talking, and laughing with each other as she recounted her younger days with my dad.

I was about to tell her goodnight when I remembered to tell her something.

“He’s also Mr Hayes’ son, you know, the one I told you about that works with Westbridge.” I said as I walked away.

“Wait, the son of the Hayes family?” She asked, a weird look crossed her face before she replaced it with a smile.

I nodded, “why?”

“No reason. Just sounds familar.” She asked before she went into her room.

That was…strange.