‘No way. This is my baby now. I’m not letting it go.’
They took their usual seat at the table. Toby had ordered himself an espresso for the first time. Willow knew this was what Kirk exclusively drank. Perhaps Toby saw himself as one of the big boys now?
‘Are you OK about all this?’ Toby asked quietly. ‘The last thing I want to do is annoy you, Willow. You’ve been so good to me.’
Willow still remembered when he had started as a nervous intern two years ago. His shirt still had creases where it had come straight out of the package, and he had struggled to walk in his too-tight shoes. He had spent the first few days drifting from desk to desk, earnestly trying to win favor and attention. It had been Willow who had taken him under her wing. She saw something sweet and innocent in his wide-eyed gaze and even though she was only a couple of years older than him, she felt like his much older, wiser sister. She didn’t want him to get broken down by the harsh corporate world – her world. She had seen so many who just hadn’t made it. It had been lovely to see him slowly blossom and grow. He was like a sweet little flower blooming in a crazy wild thorn bush.
She reached out and touched his hand. He flinched for a moment and then seemed to relax. ‘Toby, this is it. You’ve made it now. This will be your chance to shine.’
‘Thank you.’ He grinned back, toothy like a child. ‘And I bet you’ll be all over the next campaign. You’ll show them what you’re all about.’
Willow pulled her hand back. ‘I’m not so sure, Toby.’
‘What?’
‘I’m tired. I think I might be a little burnt out.’ She sipped her drink, enjoying the cold taste as it slipped down her throat. ‘I think I just need a break.’
‘A break?’ He nodded slowly. ‘Yeah. A vacation. I get that. I was thinking I might stay out in Paris after the shoot. It will be such a great opportunity. Maybe you could come too?’
‘No Toby.’ Her words were gentle. ‘I mean, longer than that.’
‘Oh …’ He stared back at her. ‘Oh!’
She sat back on her chair, watching as the barista served another matcha to a waiting customer, a young girl with funky braids. Something stirred in her mind.
‘Maybe I have other plans,’ she said finally. ‘I think there is something else I need to do.’
An hour later and Toby had gone. He was itching to get back to the drawing board and was surprised when Willow told him she wouldn’t be joining him.
‘Tell Kirk I have a bad headache or something,’ she said. ‘Please Toby, I just can’t face going back in this afternoon.’
Toby had nodded dutifully, his face etched with concern, and left Willow gazing out of the window onto the busy street scene of Seattle. She remembered how much she and Jake had loved it here when they first arrived. It had been like stepping into a brand-new world, almost futuristic. She peered out now at the same towering buildings and busy streets: it still gave her a buzz. This was definitely a cool place to be and for five years it had served its purpose.
But it had never been home. Not for her at least.
Willow reached for her phone and scrolled through her messages. Jake had sent her a picture at midday. He hadjust returned from a car collision rescue, and he looked tired and drawn. Willow knew that he would have posted content on this too – relaying his experience and telling the world just how brave he and his team had been. She quickly swiped away from his image without comment. Instead, she found herself texting Esmae.
Hey. Just thinking of you! How are things going?
She wasn’t expecting to get a reply very quickly, so was surprised when her phone buzzed almost instantly.
Hey! I’m good, thanks. Can’t believe I’ve turned off all my social media. It wasn’t even that hard. We’re packing right now. I have a job lined up in a beach bar. Think it’s going to be fun. Sun, sand and surf. And freedom.
Willow sucked in a breath. That did sound perfect. Wouldn’t it be great just to turn off the noise for a bit and focus on something more meaningful? She glanced around her. The barista was wiping down a nearby table and winked at her. Behind him, she noticed a picture hanging on the wall of the Olympic Mountains, with a plane cutting through the sky.
Written in the contrails read the word ‘escape’.
She typed back to Esmae:
It’s weird, but I swear I keep getting these signs everywhere that I should go back to the mountains, Es. I’m so tired. I used to love my job but now I’m not so sure.
She took her last sip of matcha while considering this. Her phone buzzed again.
My advice would be, follow your heart. Life is too short. I’ve spent too long in a toxic environment and perhaps you have too. Everyone needs a break at some point.
Willow sat back and sighed. Her body felt like it was buzzing with anticipation. Her mind whirred. This wasn’t like her. She was always so practical and sensible and yet, if Esmae was right and she should follow her heart – it was clear what she needed to do next.
She reached for her phone again, but this time she searched for someone she hadn’t spoken to in a long time.
