Page 43 - My Home on the Earth

of being homeless. Two men argued about the safest and the worst places to sleep outdoors. Then she heard the words: ‘Stay away from Bay Park,’ spoken by a man with an articulate voice. ‘It’s him – the man who helped me at the bus stop. But where in Bay Park?’ He stood up to leave, grabbed a raincoat and went outside to the market. She left half a mug of tea and followed him.
‘Excuse me. I couldn’t help but overhear you back in the café. You told those people to stay away from Bay Park. Why was that?’
The man turned around to look at her. He stared a while before speaking. ‘Ah! The lady in distress at the bus stop. Why are you concerned with such matters? Are you looking for a place to stay?’
‘Certainly not. I’m interested because I happen live in the apartments. Sorry to trouble you,’ she huffed and walked back inside the café to finish her drink.
Inside, three men huddled around a table and sniggered as she sat down. Marissa gave them a cursory look. ‘Hey, missus!’ whispered a man sitting at a table behind her. ‘If you want a place to stay, I know somewhere. Why don’t you check it out?’
She ignored the remark but then had second thoughts and turned around to face him. ‘Where is it?’
‘The bloke you spoke to outside ain’t homeless. He’s rich and owns land in these parts. His name is Bannister and he owns Bay Park.’
‘If he’s rich, why does he walk around dressed like a tramp?’ demanded Marissa.
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