Chapter 17
Australia
I opened my eyes and blinked in the afternoon sunlight. So this was Australia.
I’d only planned to lie down for a few minutes and read the next entry in Bronte’s book, but two hours had passed, and I’d had the most delicious nap.
Outside my giant picture window the sky was the perfect shade of blue; I stretched, revelling in the crisp cotton sheets and the most comfortable mattress I think I’d ever lain on.
Or perhaps I was comparing it to the biscuit-like consistency of my bed in Chitwan. Quite possibly.
My first impression of Sydney was one of colour, joy and all-round gorgeousness. I’d arrived by taxi earlier this afternoon, and already knew I’d made the right decision to follow Bronte’s itinerary and fly down under.
My last night in Nepal had been unexpectedly lovely.
Skye had heard of a bar in Thamel which had live music playing, and insisted on me joining them for a drink.
We spent a couple of hours singing our hearts out to covers of a random assortment of songs, from Coldplay to Beyoncé, and eating our way through piles of delicious little dumplings called momos.
Then we walked down to a temple, and Skye and Marta stood beside me while I sprinkled some of Bronte’s ashes beside a golden statue adorned with garlands of marigolds.
It had been a moving ceremony, completely unplanned and unrehearsed.
But somehow it felt right to be leaving a tiny part of her in the country she’d so wanted to visit for herself.
And now it had given me a plan, I would do this in each of the places she’d written about in her book.
I felt confident that Bronte would approve, and it made my decision to carry on with her gap year more meaningful.
Bronte had written down the name of a hostel for her first night in Australia. I’d googled it and while it looked perfect for a twenty-three-year-old on a budget, I was ready for a bit more comfort. So, I’d checked into the Intercontinental Hotel, a two-minute walk from Circular Quay.
There was a posh coffee maker on the table opposite my giant bed.
It made me think of Tiff, and how she’d teased me for staying at the Ganesh Guest House.
This room had all the luxuries she’d said I’d prefer.
She wasn’t wrong. She’d been really understanding about my need to leave Nepal when I’d emailed her about my change of plan.
And rather than be annoyed, she’d asked if I’d consider coming back sometime.
I hadn’t committed either way, but it felt very nice to be valued.
I got up, made a coffee, raided the complimentary biscuits and took them to the seat underneath my window.
I sipped my coffee, watching the world go by.
Ahead of me was the vast green space of the Royal Botanic Gardens, further afield, the water with its rugged coastline, inlets and coves leading out to the North Shores and the Pacific Ocean.
And if I pressed my face to the glass and looked to the left, I could see the shell-like structure of the Opera House.
Wait until Kat saw this view. I grinned to myself as I fetched my phone, took a picture and sent it to her. A message pinged back immediately.
Poor you! hashtag thoughts and prayers. Currently minus three degrees here, even the dogs don’t want to go outside. P.S. Sorry I shouted. I miss you, that’s all. We haven’t gone this long without seeing each other since you went to Bali. I was being selfish.
Don’t worry about it. My fault for chopping and changing my mind. I need to do this, Kat, not just for Bronte but for me.
I’m glad and it’s about time! Send me photos of Sydney and I’ll try not to be too jealous. Off you go and enjoy yourself xx
I would be doing that very soon. But first, George had asked to FaceTime me, and his call was due any second.
Right on cue, his face appeared on my screen. I recognised the background: he was sitting in one of our meeting rooms at work.
‘Hello, boss. Wow.’ His eyes widened as he caught sight of my location. ‘Cool view.’
‘Very cool,’ I agreed. ‘And I’ll be out there exploring it as soon as I’ve found out what’s been going on. I thought you were happy at ShopSwift?’
‘I was.’ He rubbed his thumb along his jaw.
‘But I’m working for Lee now. He has a very different management style to you and I don’t think he likes me.
My probation period is up in four weeks.
He probably won’t offer me a permanent contract.
I don’t want that on my CV, so I think I should cut my losses and leave before I get kicked out. ’
He wouldn’t be getting kicked out if I could help it.
Good junior staff who turned up on time and were conscientious workers were gold dust. Bloody Lee Masters, I thought, gritting my teeth.
Lee was the king of office banter and wanted everyone to like him.
George was earnest and hard-working and probably didn’t even look up from his laptop when Lee was holding court – which must irk him immensely.
‘You’ll encounter lots of different management styles in your career,’ I told him, hiding my irritation. ‘Not all of them will suit you.’
‘He had a go at me the other day for not speaking up in a client meeting. But I couldn’t get a word in – he doesn’t know when to shut up. The client kept looking at his watch, but Lee didn’t get the hint.’
I laughed at that. Poor George. ‘I’m sure whatever you wanted to say was valid.’
‘You know me,’ he said glumly, ‘I’m happier doing the data analysis for client pitches than the presentations.’
‘Then tell Lee that,’ I urged him. ‘Don’t be afraid to express yourself. Ask for what you want. Then you have reasons to quit if the company can’t accommodate your request or won’t listen to you.’
‘So you think I should stay?’
‘It’s not up to me, it’s your decision. We spend most of our waking hours at work, so if you aren’t enjoying it, then you need to do something about it. Life’s too short, George. Besides, you’re only in your twenties. Now’s your time to experiment, try different things, explore your options.’
‘I guess.’ He paused. ‘I thought you’d be disappointed.’
‘I am,’ I admitted. ‘You’re an asset to ShopSwift. And I’ll miss you when I come back.’
‘You’re definitely coming back?’ He brightened. ‘That makes me feel better about staying. Lee doesn’t think you will. He’s taking bets on it.’
‘Is he now?’ I felt my hackles rise. He wishes , I thought to myself.
‘Look, at the risk of being indiscreet, George, that sort of comment from Lee is unprofessional. He’s entitled to his opinion, but at his level of seniority, he should be keeping his thoughts to himself.
It’s unsettling for my team, of which you’re an important part, and it’s incorrect. ’
George nodded earnestly. ‘I didn’t join in. I keep my head down. There’s a lot to do on Vap-A-Rise at the moment.’
He gave me a nervous look as if not sure whether he’d spoken out of turn and I reassured him that Anna had already told me.
‘I’ll be back, I can’t afford not to work,’ I told him. Although I was missing my job a lot less than I thought I would.
‘You’re good at sales,’ he said a touch wistfully. ‘My goal was to be promoted to sales manager one day, like you. But my heart’s not in it.’
‘Interesting,’ I said, encouragingly. ‘One thing I’ve learned is that you’re allowed to change your goal. It should serve you and no one else. If pursuing it doesn’t make you happy, then it isn’t the right goal. But there are loads of opportunities at ShopSwift and we’d be foolish to let you go.’
George grinned. ‘Thanks, Maggie. Thanks for believing in me.’
‘Okay, now off you go and wow them with your talent, and start believing in yourself.’
‘Thanks, boss.’
No sooner had we ended the call than my phone buzzed with a message from Anna.
And THAT’S why I bloody miss you! That was amazing. Thank you!
I shook my head in amusement.
You heard us talking?!
Yep. I totally eavesdropped that whole conversation. Zero regrets.
He’s a good kid. Let’s not lose him.
Understood. I don’t suppose I could tempt you to cut your sabbatical short? That I do have regrets about.
I hesitated before typing my reply. I glanced back out at Sydney Harbour looking glorious in the sunshine, and thought about the person I needed to contact. I might not be in my twenties anymore, but now was my time to explore my options.
I sent her a photo of the view in lieu of a reply.
WOWZERS. The view from your ShopSwift office can’t compete with that. Go and enjoy yourself!
Now that was an order I could get on board with.
Mum’s Gap Year
Darling Bronte,
I’ve followed your journey to Australia. It took me two flights and twenty-five hours from Nepal, but oh my word was it worth it!
For the last few days I’ve been in full-on tourist mode.
I’ve plastered on the sunscreen, packed water and my guidebook into my backpack and set out each morning to explore the city.
And for the first time since leaving the UK, I am truly relaxed.
It goes without saying that you would have had a ball here.
You’d have loved the outdoor lifestyle, and knowing it’s so cold at home this winter makes the sunshine even sweeter.
All the wonderful things I’d heard about Sydney are true.
The people are friendly, the weather is always glorious, and I don’t think I’ll ever run out of new places to discover.
So far, I’ve taken an early ferry to Manly and had brunch at Fairy Bower beach, stuffed myself on the famous afternoon tea at the Queen Victoria Building, lost track of time in the biggest bookshops I’ve ever been in, and sipped deliciously cold white wine at the Opera Bar watching the sun set over Harbour Bridge.
On Sunday I whiled away a happy few hours in the Rocks learning about the early settlers and spent far too much money browsing the market stalls that line the cobbled streets.
And the next day, I walked the coast road from Bondi to Coogee.
Yesterday, I woke up feeling lonely, so I joined a tour group.
Our guide took us to see quirky architecture, street art, galleries and coffee shops, and we ended up at a craft brewery!
I’m still a bit lonely. I realise now how much I relied on you to confide in, to share stories with and chat to on WhatsApp throughout the day.
I need to expand my circle again, ‘find my tribe’.
I’ve had my head in the sand since I lost you, even deserting my book group!
I’ve rejoined them now, you’ll be glad to know.
We’re reading a T. M. Logan thriller, though I’m only in contact with them via WhatsApp.
It’s a start at least, and I’m going to make time to renew connections with people again.
Talking of connections … I’m writing this while on a train.
I’ve done a brave thing and made contact with Harry.
Your Harry. He’s staying with his uncle in the Blue Mountains, so he’s meeting me at the station in Leura and is going to be my tour guide for a couple of days.
I’m so nervous about seeing him again; I feel guilty for not being in touch with him since you’ve been gone.
But this is my chance to make it up to him.
He’s such a nice boy and clearly loves you very much.
In a way he reminds me of your dad and how besotted with each other we were.
Sometimes I miss you so much that it’s all I can do to get out of bed in the morning and face the day. But I know that waking up is a privilege that you’ll never get again, so I try to remember that and make the most of my time on this earth.
Love for always
Mum xxx