Standing there in front of the cafe which was tightly locked and bolted.
Both of them felt as if they have reached a dead end. Curious as to the reason they asked the near shop owner.
"Sir, can I know why this cafe is closed at this time of day."
The shop owner surprised as to why two girls asked out of nowhere about that closed cafe replied " We also don't know it's been two days since it's closed. Actually the owner needed to go somewhere so he kept a boy for work. But as I said since two days it's closed."
Listening him say that Kate asked him trying to keep the tension out of her voice, "Do you know anything of that boy! Like where do he live or stuff like that."
"Miss you seem pretty interested in him. Any particular reason." eyeing them suspiciously the shop owner looked at them.
Trying to dispel his worry Kate replied, "You are misunderstanding sir!! Just two days before I visited this cafe and had a fabulous burger made by that guy. So I just wanted to ask him the recipe that's all."
Still not so sure the shop owner kept on scrutinizing them, but when Kate finished talking. He looked at them surprised trying to decipher if they were joking or not.
When none of the both smiled or laughed and just kept looking at him expectantly.
The shop owner looked at them and said, "How could that be mam! Two days ago all the shops of this particular street were closed. No shop was allowed to be open at that time. You might have misremembered."
Feeling the full weight of what the shop owner said Kate and Ali couldn't decipher what kind of puzzle they were trapped in.
Just then a boy working in that shop owners shop came and said out of the blue, "Mam actually I do know where that boy lives. He lives near my locality only. So when my shift ends I can take you there. If you are really that curious."
Getting a sudden lead both of them felt too elated and also scared of what they will find out.
After straightening out the details of their meet up Kate and Ali went back.