Chapter 26
26
There is something so magical about getting on a plane in the middle of winter and getting off again in the height of summer. Of course, it feels like the months have passed by in real time because the flight felt like it was never going to end.
Oh my days, it is boiling here. I think the screen in the airport said it was 26°C, which, yeah, I’ve felt that in the UK, but I think the fact that I’ve been living in winter (for what feels like a year) and then the plane being so cold – I was not ready for this at all.
It’s intense, but it’s lovely. I feel like the sun is seeping into my skin, warming my bones, thawing me out. I guess the downside is that, when I do fly back home, it’s going to be a more unpleasant shock to the system, going from summer to winter again.
As a big fan of a small city, I feel almost intimidated by the size of Sydney. I think when it comes to places you’ve only ever seen in the movies or in photos, it really builds them up, they feel almost fictitious. Seeing them in person, it’s uncanny.
I have to admit, I’m almost relieved to see the urban landscape shifting into something more coastal. This is what I need, for my shitty mental health, I need to see the sea.
‘I’m just going to come out with it,’ I begin, because if I don’t say it now, it will only be on my mind. ‘Is the spider thing true or is that just in the movies?’
The taxi driver stifles a laugh.
‘What do you mean?’ Ethan asks, laughing too.
‘Pop culture has taught me that Australia has lots of big, scary, dangerous spiders,’ I reply. ‘And I’m scared of daddy-long-legs, so…’
‘Well, yeah, there are spiders here, and some of them are bigger than back home, and some of them are dangerous, but it’s not going to be a part of your day,’ he says. ‘You’ve definitely seen too many movies.’
‘So, when you lived here, you never had any memorable interactions with spiders?’ I check.
I notice Ethan’s jaw tighten in a way his smile can’t mask.
‘Only once,’ he replies. ‘I can tell you about it?’
‘I would rather you didn’t,’ I quickly insist.
‘Everybody has one story to tell about a spider,’ the taxi driver chimes in. ‘If this fella has had his, I’d stick by him.’
‘I will absolutely do that, thank you,’ I reply.
‘Right, well, this is where you’re going,’ the taxi driver eventually says. ‘Have a great time here in Australia – and watch out for those spiders.’
It is exclusively all I am doing right now.
Ethan drags both of our cases behind him, up to the door of the building. I don’t see any signs or anything but I gave the taxi driver the address that Seph gave me. You would think there would be something to give away that this was the right spot.
Seph’s high-pitched squeal somehow manages to echo, despite us being in a wide-open space. Perhaps it’s just my ears that are ringing, or alarm bells going off in my head.
‘Lana banana,’ she calls out. ‘You came! I was almost worried you wouldn’t.’
I exchange glances with Ethan. Already I feel like he knows what I’m up against.
‘And who is this big, strapping fellow?’ she asks, turning to Ethan, playfully batting him in the chest.
‘Seph, this is Ethan. Ethan, this is my sister, Seph,’ I say, making the introductions.
‘Seph is an interesting name,’ Ethan replies. ‘Beautiful, but I haven’t heard it before.’
‘It’s short for Persephone,’ she tells him.
‘I always say Persephone is short because she’s got tiny legs,’ Chester adds. ‘Chester Brimble-Plaskitt. Good to meet you, pal.’
Chester gives Ethan one of those almost aggressive, manly handshakes – the kind that makes everyone’s knuckles turn white.
‘Ethan Paul James,’ Ethan replies, clearly throwing in his middle name to make the whole thing sound longer.
‘You’ve got three forenames,’ Chester points out, amused.
‘Paul is my middle name, James is my surname,’ Ethan tells him.
‘Extraordinary,’ Chester replies. ‘I like it – EPJ, that’s what we’ll call you.’
‘You could just call him Ethan,’ I suggest.
‘Lana banana, come here,’ Chester says, ignoring me, pulling me in for a hug. Again though, even his hugs are aggressive, like we’re two big blokes on a rugby pitch.
Apparently Lana banana is something Seph used to call me, when we were kids, but my only memories of it are her calling me it as an adult and me hating it.
‘Lana,’ Dad says, joining us on the path. Bea isn’t far behind him.
‘Oh, Lana, you came,’ she says – and she sounds surprised too.
Seriously, did they all think I would bail? I’m glad I didn’t now, so I didn’t give them the satisfaction.
‘Yep, hello, I’m here, and this is Ethan,’ I say. ‘Ethan, this is my dad, Walter, and my stepmum, Bea.’
‘Stepmum, deary me,’ Bea says as she greets Ethan with a peck on the cheek. ‘Always keeping me at arm’s length.’
Wow, okay. Best I just ignore that.
‘Hello,’ Dad says, shaking Ethan’s hand – and it’s another grippy one. ‘Glad you could both make it.’
When I was younger I always used to think that a stiff upper lip was a literal thing – because my dad has always spoken a little bit like his lips are frozen in place.
‘Don’t be silly, carrying those, there is staff for that,’ Bea tells Ethan as she slaps his hand.
‘Oh, okay,’ I say. ‘I was worried this wasn’t the hotel, when I didn’t see any signs.’
‘This isn’t a hotel,’ Chester says with a laugh. ‘This is my rentals’ place.’
I know he means parents but Ethan looks puzzled.
‘This is your parents’ house?’ I reply.
‘Yeah, we’re having the wedding here,’ he replies. I notice him beckon a woman and a man from the porch, indicating for them to take our cases. ‘And we’re all staying here.’
‘Oh, I thought we’d be in a hotel,’ I can’t help but say – because I did think that.
‘Lana, don’t be rude,’ Bea tells me off. ‘The whole family is staying here.’
Still biting my tongue.
‘Mum and Dad are getting ready for this evening – actually, we should too, Seph,’ Chester says.
‘So, Mum and Dad – my mum and dad – will show you to your room,’ Seph adds. ‘Catch you later.’
I can’t help but notice that she said room – as in one room. I mean, why would they give us two rooms, they thought I was bringing a date.
‘Is it possible for us to have separate rooms?’ I ask. ‘We’re, erm… we’re old-fashioned.’
‘Oh, Lana, don’t be ludicrous,’ Bea replies. ‘And don’t make fun of us. It’s quite all right for you to share a room, isn’t it, Walter?’
Dad pulls a face.
‘Quite all right,’ he replies.
‘My love, go prepare for the evening, I will show Lana and Ethan to their room,’ Bea tells him, patting him gently on the cheek. ‘You two, do follow me.’
‘You asked for this,’ I whisper to Ethan.
‘So did you,’ he replies with a cheeky smile.
This house is huge. It’s dark grey, with columns that give it a real sense of grandeur, and super modern so there are huge glass windows with balconies on almost all of them. We must be near the ocean because I can hear it roaring, so I’m guessing we are really close to the beach right now – if not on it.
‘Wow, this is some house,’ Ethan says as we step into the hallway with Bea.
‘It’s not a house, it’s an estate,’ she corrects him.
The hallway has brilliant white walls and shiny black marble floor tiles. The décor is clean but opulent, mixing minimalism with what I can only describe as big chunks of gold and silver. I’m talking cabinets, sculptures, frames – the place literally looks like it’s made of money.
‘This is the ground floor,’ Bea explains. ‘The living space is downstairs, on the lower ground floor – which is how you access the gardens, pool and the private beach. This floor has bedrooms, as does upstairs, which is where the two of you are.’
God, I can’t believe we’re going to have to share a bedroom. I know what you’re thinking, we’ve literally slept together, but that’s the problem. We’re comfortable together – give us a bed and a closed door and we might slip into old habits (I don’t even think we’d need the bed to be tempted, or the door for that matter, but you take my point).
‘You’re late, so I’ll show you straight to your room,’ Bea insists.
‘We’re late?’ I reply. ‘The plane was the plane – we couldn’t have got here any faster.’
She selectively ignores this as she leads us up the stairs and along the hallway, finally stopping outside the door.
‘This is your room,’ she says. ‘You will find your en suite inside, just around the corner. I’ll leave you both to settle in but, Ethan, I’m looking forward to getting to know you much better.’
Bea says this almost suspiciously. Okay, fair enough, this situation isn’t what it seems, but she should respect me enough that if I turn up with a man and say he’s my boyfriend then that’s that, right? There’s nothing to be suspicious of.
Ethan and I head into our room, closing the door behind us.
‘Holy fuck,’ he blurts. ‘Look at this.’
Ethan charges past the big-screen TV, the super-king bed, and the welcome basket full of food – no, scratch that, he grabs a packet of biscuits as he rushes past it – and heads straight for our balcony.
I drop my handbag, hurrying after him.
‘Okay, wow,’ I say – my words seemingly made of nothing but breath. ‘This is unreal.’
Chester’s mum and dad’s house sits elevated, above the beach, and it looks out over nothing but sand, sea and sunshine. If you look a little further down the beach you can see people walking, playing sports, sunbathing, surfers in the water, boats. We’re in paradise.
‘Oh, I am so ready for a holiday,’ Ethan says, wrapping an arm around me.
‘I’m so ready for a nap,’ I tell him. ‘Flying really takes it out of you.’
‘It’s a long flight,’ he replies, following me back indoors.
I sit on the edge of the bed before dramatically flopping down onto my back. Ethan does the same next to me.
‘So, we’re sharing a bed, huh?’ he says.
‘Let’s try not to break this one,’ I reply.
Right on cue, I realise Bea is back in the room.
‘In bed already?’ she says. ‘I forgot to say before, you need to dress for dinner, right now, as we’re headed out soon.’
Oh, but all I want to do is sleep.
‘We’re going out for dinner?’ I reply.
‘Yes, and do dress in your best,’ she adds. ‘The boat has a very strict dress code.’
And with that she’s gone.
‘Boat?’ Ethan says.
‘A fancy boat,’ I reply. ‘I am dreading it.’
‘Really? Because I can’t wait,’ he replies.
Ha. All he needs is time and he’ll soon change his tune. But for now, I guess we need to get ready.