I shocked myself—and everyone else—when I broke up with him without warning.
I’m relieved to be free of him, but the damage lingers, my music so tangled with pain that I can’t play at all. So Mum needn’t worry, I won’t take him back. I’m desperate to move on.
I just don’t know how.
The clatter of cutlery pulls me back to the café. My plate is empty—I stress-ate without realising.Oops.
After breakfast, Mum fusses, checking I still have my passport and phone charger, along with a dozen other things.
As she chatters, my chest tightens. I picture her sitting alone in our weatherboard house near Manly Beach. How quiet it will be.
Dad’s gone.
Ellenor moved out years ago to be closer to her job in the city.
And now I’m leaving too, for who knows how long. Brandon vaguely mentioned that he didn’t plan to rent out his upstairs flat this summer, and that I could stay as long as I liked.
In the meantime, Mum will be by herself. I can’t help but feel like I’m letting her down.
The tears are back, threatening to fall. Her eyes glisten too, her smile wobbling.
“It’s okay, Mum…I’ll be back.”
“I know, darling.” She smooths my hair the way Dad used to. “I hope this trip will be everything you wish for.”
I hope so too. Mum had to pull nursing doubles at the hospital just to help me afford the extra plane tickets. If Brandon hadn’t offered the cottage for free, I probably wouldn’t be going to England at all.
She hugs me, extra-tight. “You’ll call me, won’t you?”
“Of course. Every day.”
“Noteveryday! I want you to make the most of your trip. But send our group chat lots of photos.”
“I will,” I promise.
“Now, I know your visa is for six months, but you can come back anytime.”
“I won’t be gone that long,” I promise.
She pulls me in for one last hug. “Text me when you land.”
“I will.”
I wave as she heads towards the terminal exit. And then she’s gone.
I’m on my own, but not for long. Soon I’ll be in England, standing before Brandon Ward, the man my father once trusted with music.
The man I’m crossing the world for to trust with mine.
2
Up in the Air
Lily-Anne
I hate goodbyes, and I breathe a little easier once Mum disappears into the crowd.
When I’m finally through security with an hour to kill, I pull out my phone and begin typing a message to Brandon to let him know I’ve checked in.
