Page 5 of The Vampire and the Barista

CHAPTER 3

Jamie wiped down the last table and set it up ready for the morning. The coffee shop closed half an hour before the library.

Jamie made sure everything was clean and turned off, took his apron off, picked up his bag and waving bye to some of the other librarians, left. He had just walked outside when his phone rang. He pulled it out of his pocket and saw it was his brother.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, answering. His brother never phoned at this time of the day.

“So much,” Karl replied softly.

“Where are you? Are you both alright?”

“We’re hiding in the bathroom. Mum is drunk and keeps trying to hit us with a broom.”

Jamie sighed and leant against his car. “How long has your mum been violent?”

“A few weeks. Jay, can we come to you?” Karl asked.

“Can you give me a day? I’ll come get you, but I need to find us somewhere to stay.”

“Okay, but we’re running away whether you turn up or not.”

“I’ll be there even if we have to live in the car for a while,” he promised him. “Make sure you’ve packed everything you can think of, including important paperwork.”

“We have all that already. We’re going to wait until they both fall asleep and steal whatever money they have.”

Jamie thought for a moment. “Forget tomorrow, I’ll travel up tonight. I’ll text you when I leave, but it will take me a good three or four hours to get to you. Can you stay safe until then?”

“We’ll try. Thanks, Jay.”

“Hey, none of that. We’re siblings, we stick together. I’ve got to run, though. I’ll be with you as soon as I can.”

“Okay, thanks, brother.” And with that, Karl hung up.

Jamie rubbed his head. He felt a headache coming on. He meant what he said; he would sleep in his car with them if needed. It wasn’t ideal, but he wanted them safe. He got into his car and turned the ignition, but nothing happened. “No, no, not now,” he complained, trying again, but still nothing happened; there wasn’t even the tiniest peep. The car had been old when he brought it, but it was all he could afford at the time.

Jamie thumbed the steering wheel and felt like crying. Why could nothing go right? He sat there fighting hard not to cry while trying to figure out what he could possibly do and how he would rescue his brother and sister.

Ivan walked into the kitchen just as Annie and Thomaz started bringing dishes to the table. Ivan helped, as did everyone, and soon the table was covered with platters of food, all of which looked amazing. They had just sat down when Max walked in.

“Evening, everyone. Can I gate crash dinner?” he asked.

“Always nutter, you know that,” Dave said, smiling at his best friend.

“Thanks,” Max replied, sitting down, as Thomaz handed him a plate and some cutlery.

Food dishes were passed around, and everyone filled their plates as chatter started.

Jack and Spencer were telling everyone about helping AJ fix the wall and how the secret library wasn’t behind it.

“They were good apprentices,” AJ told everyone. “They can help me with the other building works I need to do.”

“We can do that, can’t we, Jack?” Spencer said, looking at the older boy.

“Yep, we can,” he agreed.

“Louise, Annie, Charlotte, have you managed to persuade Lissa to move to Kevin’s pack?” Dave asked them.

“We have,” Louise replied.