Page 27 of With the Stars

Peter came over and stood next to Minho. “I can see why you let him have you on the table.”

“Thanks Mildred.” He wasn’t sure why he was thanking her, but for some reason it sounded like the right thing to do.

“I have a doctor’s appointment. Meet here tomorrow?” Elin stood and put her phone in her handbag.

“As we always do.” Sarah touched Elin’s hand. “Let us know in the group chat how it went.”

“Did you see the new pictures Charlotte posted?”

“How is their vacation going?”

Charlotte?

One of the women has gone to Disney World with her husband.

This isn’t all of them?

Oh no. There are usually eight or nine of them. The table across are the men, their husbands. They have their papers to read.He saw Minho glance over and nod.They come in almost every day.

It’s good to have friends as you age. Being socially active has positive benefits.

Peter looked at Minho, who looked back and smiled. “I have to go, but it was lovely meeting you all.”

“We’ll see you again?” Sarah looked outside. “You’re lucky it’s winter and cloudy.”

“I am. We have more freedom at this time of year. Summer can be tricky to handle.” He waved to the women and walked out to the back.I have to go. See you at home later.

Peter smiled and then all the women cooed at him. “Look at him all happy and lovey dovey. Got yourself a nice man, er, male.” Pat shook her head. “What do we call him?”

“Peter’s,” Sarah told them.

“I like that.”

Peter went back to serving customers and cleaning tables. When the women and their husbands left, he smiled and waved them off. The day passed quickly, a steady stream of customers coming and going, and before long night had fallen and it was time to close up the shop.

As he closed up for the day, Peter heard a sound coming from the alley. Not thinking much of it, Peter finished locking up and walked toward the alley, curious as to what had caused the sound. As he approached, he saw a head peek around the corner, then away.

Furrowing his brow, Peter’s walk became a jog. Reaching the entrance to the alley, he stopped and looked around, not seeing anyone. Taking a few steps into the alley, he jumped when someone shot out from behind a dumpster and headed to a doorway farther along the alley.

Giving chase, he followed, hoping to catch whoever it was before they disappeared. When he reached the doorway he found it empty. Checking the door, he realized it was locked. Taking a step back, Peter scanned the area. “What the hell?”

Certain the man had run to this point, Peter checked the door again, pushing and kicking it but it refused to move. “How?”Minho?

Peter. Have you finished for the night?

I have and I saw someone watching me, but they’ve disappeared.

Where are you?

The alley near my place.

“Peter?”

Peter glanced to the left and waved at Minho. “I saw him run here but he’s gone. He can’t have gone through the door because it’s locked.”

Minho kicked the door. “It wasn’t the other day when I was here.”

“Where could he have gone? Could he have moved like you do?”

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