my ghost, where'd you go

harriet galloway 28 year old florist resident of harbour bay

[bovanhouten]

“–Okay, sorry to bother you, but can you please help me out here?” The woman didn’t even wait for an answer, holding up her phone. “Do you have any idea where this is? My little sister sent me this picture, making me guess where she is, but I actually have no clue where this could be. I assume it is in town though– I’m not sure.”

[bovanhouten]

[harrietgalloway-blog]

Harriet looked up from her work and over to her colleague. She didn’t process the words for a second but after a moment she looked down to the phone, trying to work it out. “Oh- you know, I’m not sure. Maybe the harbour? I think that might be the sea behind her.” She suggested, giving a small shrug. “That’s the best I can do, though, sorry.”

[ameliamcleod-deactivated2016022]

The list got shorter, but it was still way too long for a beautiful day like this. Every single person in this town could be the one who murdered the little kid two days ago. “Alright. Please state your name and where you were on the night of Jacob Williams’ murder.” She’d said the sentence over and over the entire day and she was slowly growing tired of it.

[ameliamcleod-deactivated2016022]

[harrietgalloway-blog]

Harriet hadn’t planned on being questioned by the police when she left the house this morning, and at first she didn’t understand why she specifically was being questioned. But, she didn’t want to be a nuisance so she answered as best she could, “Uhm, Harriet Galloway. I was at home, I don’t think I went out that night at all.”

[haydenn-mitchell]

“Oh. Anything to help someone out in need,” Angela assured the red head, and it was true, she was very proactive about whom she gave kindness to. Giving a small laugh, Angela simply decided to put her bag down and the bag of groceries with it. Filing out some change she gave it to the woman, “That should about cover it. Where are you sending it off to?”

[harrietgalloway-blog]

“Thank you so much!” Harriet grinned, taking the change and putting it in her purse, making a mental note to head down to the post office as soon as possible. “It was my aunt’s birthday last week and I forgot to send a card, so I’m currently winning the world’s worst niece award.” She chuckled, shaking her head, “Seriously, you’ve helped me out a lot.”

[droliviacooper-deactivated20150]

“I’m been well Harriet, thank you. Summer is going as well as it can since I cut my hours at the hospital to focus more on the other side of my life.” Olivia smiled warmly at the woman who she used to be very friendly with but not so sure anymore. “How’s life being going for you and others?” 

[harrietgalloway-blog]

“I’m glad you’re doing well, and it’s good that you’re not overworking yourself.” Harriet sent a smile back, she was happy that she was having such a pleasant conversation with Olivia but she knew that her response to the question could change that. “It’s been going, well, as good as it can considering the town’s recent events. I, uhm, saw Daniel the other day, and we had a nice little chat about, you know, life.”

[mollyfletchr-blog]

“Oh, it’s Rihanna song! No wonder,” Jamie replied, taking a sip of her drink afterward. “The bathroom? I am terribly sorry but I don’t know where that is! I think it’s behind that door over there,” she pointed at a door placed at the back of the pub. “Let’s just hope it’s a bathroom. Come on,” Jamie paced her way to the door, signalling the woman to follow her.

[harrietgalloway-blog]

“Oh, no worr-” Harriet was very prepared to just move on and ask someone else, but the other woman had already carried on talking and seemed to be pointing somewhere out, “You know,” she said as she tried to keep up, “You didn’t have to look for it with me. I’d hate to take you away from your dancing,” she laughed.

[jaxnmartins-deactivated20210206]

“Yeah… I was thinking that too, especially some of the convenient ‘new’ folks that have moved here. She’ll be okay. They all will, at some point everyone has to accept it and move on…” He narrowed his eyes and stuck his feet on the coffee table. “Let’s just hope they catch whoever did it soon, then things can get back to normal.”

[harrietgalloway-blog]

“Parasites, the lot of them. I don’t understand why they’d take up a job that involves them following tragedies and making the victims even more uncomfortable than before.” She took a deep breath, trying to not get too worked up. Once she’d regained her composure, she continued with the conversation, “Unfortunately, moving on is the hardest part. It can take years, and you can feel like you’ll never fully heal... Yeah, the longer this investigation gets drawn out the worse it will get, especially for the family.” Although she wasn’t outright saying it, it was clear that Harriet was speaking from personal experience.

[banks-eric-blog]

“I don’t want to trouble you” he insisted warmly, it was just a bit of loose change, he couldn’t and wouldn’t ask for much in return. “Harriet Galloway, it’s a pleasure to meet you” he responded politely before she posed her question. “I am, yeah, new to the scene.” he expressed, he had been in London before that and California, his home even state before that, he was still finding his way around HB.

[harrietgalloway-blog]

“Well, thank you. Yeah, yeah, it’s nice to meet you, too.” Harriet smiled back. It was strange, she had such a negative idea of journalists in her head, but right now the man actually seemed quite likeable. “Oh, really? Welcome to town, then,” she said with a small giggle, “Where did you move here from?” She asked, as she was struggling to place his accent.

[gabriel-caruso]

Laughing, Ben nodded, “Pretty much the same for me – I thought it might be cooler out here than it was in the office but I’m beginning to see that’s not the case.” Pulling some speakers out of his bag, he synced his phone up wirelessly, “Is there any music you particularly like? Seems a shame to be sitting out here with nothing to do, it could be a while until the sun goes in again.”

[harrietgalloway-blog]

“You know, I was really looking forward to the summer but now it's here and I just want the sun to go away. I feel like my brain is melting,” Harriet added with a small chuckle and the shake of her head. “Good idea, I don't mind though,” she shrugged, watching him, “Honestly I don't listen to music all that much, so I'll leave it up to you.” 

[marianaxgonzalez-blog]

“I had enough of London for now. Maybe I’ll come back in the future.” Gabriela said hopefully, as she dreamed of performing on the most prestigious stages, which were set in London. Of course, now that her parents are gone she found no point in going back to the city, not until she’ll have enough money for university. “Oh- oh I see, so you’re here for quite some time?-” She asked, changing the subject upon noticing how uncomfortable the other woman became.

[harrietgalloway-blog]

“Yeah, years and years now. Sometimes I forget that I didn’t actually grow up here,” Harriet replied with a small smile. She was very grateful that the subject had been changed. It wasn’t like she didn’t want people to know about her past, it wasn’t some kind of personal secret. She just didn’t feel like telling a girl that she’d only just formerly met in the middle of a store. “Hey, are you nearly done shopping? Because if you are, we could head back home together?”

[droliviacooper-deactivated20150]

“A clear head is what everyone needs and I wish everyone took that humble advice.” Olivia smiled at the redhead that had joined her. “She really is, I had to get the paddling pool out for her the other day since I don’t think she’s ready for the sea quite yet”

[harrietgalloway-blog]

“Aw, that must have been fun for you,” Harriet smiled, cooing over how cute the girl sounded. “How about you though, Olivia? How’s your summer been going?” She asked, though she suspected that the woman wouldn’t feel as free-spirited as her daughter.

[gabriel-caruso]

Smiling brightly, Ben gathered up all his belongings and moved over a little so there was enough room for both of them under the tree. “Don’t be silly, I’m not going to make you head back out there, the sun is hotter than it looks.” Beginning to pack all the books back up in his bag, he turned to her again, “So what brought you out here?”

[harrietgalloway-blog]

Harriet shot a grateful look at the man and sat down next to him, “Thank you,” she grinned, “Honestly, I don’t know how you were able to work in this heat anyway.” She said as she watched him packing them away before answering his question. “I always go for a walk at this time of day, it's pretty relaxing. I just didn’t expect it to be quite this hot.”

[marianaxgonzalez-blog]

“True! Sometimes I feel like I know everyone and yet I know no one.” She concluded, knowing she’s made a few friends along the way but none that would really make her feel loved, besides Melanie, perhaps. It was all very superficial, lots of polite smiles and no real connection. “Well, basically I think I got tired of the city and needed to get away for a bit. Finding myself, you know? It’s weird, life takes you to unfamiliar places. How’d you end up in here?”

[harrietgalloway-blog]

“My thoughts exactly,” Harriet understood what the girl meant all too well, as it often felt like her only friends in the town were people she’d met in London rather than Harbour Bay. “Yeah, I get it. It’s always good to change things up.” She replied, although she was starting to regret asking as she should have known that she’d be asked the same thing, and she’d have to give a vague reason off the top of her head. “I, uh, had to come and stay with my grandmother due to... family issues.” She finally explained, hoping it could be left at that.

[gabriel-caruso]

Since the summer seemed to be sticking around, Ben decided to go and sit outside to finish up his paperwork. Lying on the grass under the shade of a tree, his sunglasses were perched up high on his head in case he suddenly needed them. Below him, book after book was spread out, writing everywhere and photos placed down haphazardly, ready to be stuck down in place in the final report. As a further shadow loomed over him, Ben swiftly shut the book, “Sorry, you can’t be seeing that, official police business.” He smiled at them though, rolling over to look up, “Can I help you though? I’m sorry, I know I’m taking up most of the shade here.”

[harrietgalloway-blog]

Harriet had underestimated how hot it was going to be that day, and so she’d made the mistake of wearing tights on her walk and was now boiling. Spotting a tree nearby, she decided that it would probably be a good idea to go and sit in the shade. However, as she finally got to the tree she saw the man already sat there, and she was about to turn away but he noticed her before she could. “I’m sorry, I just wanted to sit down for five minutes,” she answered, already starting to step back, “But I can find somewhere else to go, since you’re working on official police business.” She added, quoting his words back to him.

[marianaxgonzalez-blog]

“Oh, great.” Gabriela was relieved she’s not interrupting anyone, other than an old couple living in apartment 11 who frequently complained about her playing too loud. “You too, weird we haven’t crossed paths ‘till now!” She nodded at Harriet, finding it nice that she has some nice neighbors.

[harrietgalloway-blog]

“I know,” she agreed, nodding along with her words, “I thought the whole point of living in a small town is that you get to know everyone.” What Harriet didn’t mention was that she had never been amazing at making friends throughout her adult life, meaning that there were a lot of people in the town that she didn’t get to know. “Anyway, how did you end up here in Harbour Bay?” She asked, carrying on from their earlier conversation about London.

[mollyfletchr-blog]

All of a sudden, in the middle of their conversation, the song playing inside the pub they were in changed. Jamie’s eyes widen in excitement, cutting off the person speaking in front of her, “Oh! I love this song! What’s it called again?” She swayed her hips to the beat of the music slowly, making sure the glass cup in her right hand won’t spill. “I’m so sorry. I am such a prick. What were you saying before?”

[harrietgalloway-blog]

Harriet couldn’t help but laugh at the girl in front of her, not minding that she’d been cut off. “Me too! I think it’s called We Found Love? I don’t know, it’s a Rihanna song though.” She replied, with a small nonchalant shrug. “Oh, don’t worry about it. I was just asking if you knew where the bathroom is?”

[droliviacooper-deactivated20150]

“I think taking the time out for myself to enjoy the sunny weather with Heather was definitely worth it.” Olivia remarked as she observed the scenery at Harbour bay. 

[harrietgalloway-blog]

“Yeah, it’s always good to get out and let the fresh air clear your head,” Harriet replied with a smile, looking out at the view. “I bet Heather’s loving the summer so far, it’s been lovely.”

[jaxnmartins-deactivated20210206]

He tapped the top of her hand lightly as thanks, sitting back and taking a couple of deep breaths. “Right? Nice to see everyone banding together, even over something like this. Pretty sure I met the kids sister, or cousin, or someone down there. She didn’t talk much, I didn’t stay long.”

[harrietgalloway-blog]

“I guess so, although I'm pretty sure at least a few of them were journalists, so it’s not like everyone was there to mourn...” Harriet said with a small, and vaguely irritated, sigh. “She’s got to be feeling horrible, the poor girl. I can understand why she didn’t say much, to be honest, her whole world has just been turned upside down.”