CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY EIGHT – THE STORY BEHIND HIS PAIN

One by one, her coworkers arrived, their faces pale with shock as Jack and Charlotte recounted what had happened. Mr. Davies paced the floor, his usual jovial demeanor replaced by grim determination. "This ends now," he declared. "We're calling the police." No one argued. The time for hesitation was past. As Mr. Davies reached for the phone, Charlotte felt a mix of relief and apprehension wash over her. They were finally taking decisive action, but what would Gary do when he realized he had been reported? The pub fell silent as Mr. Davies dialed, the only sound the steady patter of rain against the windows. Outside, unnoticed by those inside, a figure lurked in the shadows, watching the warm glow of The Rusty Anchor with a mix of longing and growing anger. As Mr. Davies began to speak to the police dispatcher, Charlotte couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning of a new, potentially more dangerous chapter in their ordeal with Gary. "Yes, hello," Mr. Davies said,