Some of the tension decreased even as Chelsea winced.“Thanks, Mum.”It was the last place she wanted to go.Her stepfather wouldn’t like it, and as much as she loved her much younger brother and sister, she didn’t want to live with them.The house overlooking the ocean had never felt like home, despite its luxury.But it was a backup plan, and she was lucky to have that.
The photo she’d removed from her office caught her eye.
Lilydale Cottage had been her only real home.
She sighed and reread the letter.The date at the top caught her eye.It had been sent three and a half weeks ago.
No, no, no.She had three days to pack and vacate.Surely the real estate agent should have called, or emailed, or something.
She gazed around her apartment.She didn’t have a lot, but it would still be difficult to get it done.
“I know!”her mother cried.“It’s perfect and the other reason I called.You could go to Lilydale Cottage for a couple of weeks.Take a break and let all the fuss die down before you look for work.”
Chelsea frowned.Odd that her mother should mention Lilydale when Chelsea had been thinking about it.“I’d love to, but I can’t afford to go.”Not when she had to spend all her time searching for work and an apartment.The cottage was across the other side of the country, and it still hurt that Aunt Maggie was gone.She wasn’t sure she could face going through all her things.
“I’ll pay for your flight and costs, of course.I had a call from a property developer who is interested in buying the land.I rang to ask your opinion.I know the place meant a lot to you.”
Her mouth dropped open but before she said anything, her mother continued, “If we sell, we’ll need to clear out the house.You could fly over, talk to the developer and pack Aunt Maggie’s things.By the time you return, no one will remember Aria Simpson.”
Lilydale Cottage.
The desire to return was almost overwhelming.It was her safe place.Spending time in the gardens would give her space to relax and plan what to do next.Hopefully they wouldn’t remind her too much of the boy who’d broken her heart.
“Chelsea?”
“Sorry, Mum.I was thinking about it.”She glanced around the house.“How long will it take to pack Aunt Maggie’s things?”Excitement warred with anxiety.She could get away, escape Sydney and its stress, and take some time for herself, but her employment status and living situation wouldn’t be fixed by ignoring it.She couldn’t be so irresponsible.
“She was a bit of a hoarder, so two or three weeks I’d guess.”
“I’d like to go, but without a job, I can’t get a new apartment.”Her words came faster as the panic threatened to take control.
“Oh, baby.Take a breath and calm down,” her mother soothed.“I will always be here to support you.I understand you like your independence, but you’re not alone.”
Chelsea took another three breaths and tried to calm her thoughts.Her mother might always be there, but Ezra would make her feel like an imposition.It wasn’t anything overt, but little subtle comments when her mother wasn’t around.
She wouldn’t let that happen.Her brain clicked over into problem-solving mode.
Perhaps she could stay at Lilydale until she found a job.Sure, it was an entire continent away from where she was looking for work, but she could do video interviews.At least she’d have her own space.
And she could always search for a job on the west coast.She didn’t have as many contacts there, but perhaps they wouldn’t care about the Aria Simpson fiasco.
“I need to pack up my apartment.”She couldn’t leave before she did.“Can I store some things at your place?”Their large shed should have room for her bed and couch until she found somewhere else to live.
“I’ll get you a storage unit.Ezra won’t mind paying for it.”
She heard the underlying implication Ezra wouldn’t want her things cluttering up his shed and ignored the stab of disappointment.
“How about I come over tomorrow while Miles and Amelia are at school to help you?”her mother continued.
Chelsea smiled.“I’d like that, Mum.”They had little time together, just the two of them.“I’ll see you then.”
A little mother-daughter time would settle her.She glanced around her house and then checked her watch.If she was quick, she could make it to the hardware store before it closed and buy packing materials.Relieved she had a short-term goal to focus on, she grabbed her keys and headed out the door.
Three days later, Chelsea picked up her hire car at Perth airport and drove an hour and a half south to the small town of Honeybrook, nestled at the base of the Darling Scarp.She smiled as she passed the wooden welcome sign, and the stress of losing her job, packing and moving all her belongings into a pathetically small storage unit released.This had always been home to her.The place both she and her mother could get away and forget about their troubles.
A safe place away from the mountains of bills.
She drove down the main street and her smile faded.So many shop fronts were vacant, stores closed, and there was little movement even though it was the middle of the day.
