Page 2 of Where She Is
“Don’t touch me. I don’t want you near me again!”
“Calm down, please, sugar, I can explain what happened.”
I pace the room, hands on hips, trying to catch my breath. If he glances at me one more time with those sorrowful eyes, I will scream. My body slumps against the wall to steady my weak legs. They give up and I slide a cold path to the floor, hugging my knees to my chest. He crouches by my side, and I meet his attempt to hug me with a slap. His body slumps next to mine, this time taking care not to make contact. I’ve never been so angry, hurt, and disgusted.
The haze of my tears hypnotises me. Seconds, minutes, hours have passed in silence. Rob is against the wall, knees pulled up to his chin, hands wrapped around his legs. He has no clue what to do.
“I don’t know what to tell you, Hannah. I am so sorry.” Avoiding his gaze, I rub the side of my hand across my wet lashes. “We’re nottogether, sugar. She thinks we are, but we’re not.”
The burn in my throat continues, when I ask, “How long have you been seeing her?” I sound calm. I’m anything but.
“Sugar, listen to me-”
“I asked you how long. No bullshit.”
His delay tactics are pathetic. He looks towards the heavens and calculates the time in which he’s been an utter bastard.
“Three months, maybe more.”
Tears spill down my face as I squeeze my eyes shut. I enjoy the sullen silence while my breathing evens out, and my heartbeat slows. If I was still the naïve girl he first met, I’d want to know everything. How they met, how it started and why. I don’tbecause I’ve been here before with him and I have all his answers. The difference is, this time, he can’t convince me to stay.All right, I’m done.I slap my hands to my thighs.It’s time to go. I push my palms against the soft carpet and when I get to my feet, Rob jumps to attention.
“Sugar?”
“I’ll arrange a day to pick up my stuff.”
“No Hannah, please, you can’t do this!”
“Yes, I can.” I wipe the last of my tears, take his hand and shake it formally.
His eyes narrow, “What the fuck?”
“Thank you, Rob. Thank you so much. You’ve just made my decision so much easier.”
“Hannah? Hannah, please no. Please don’t leave. Talk to me… please!”
I lift my bag over my shoulder and flick my fringe to show my determined blue eyes. Tall, and sure of myself, I walk to the door. My head is full of plans for the future which block out Rob’s plea for me to stay. As I leave the flat that has been home for the last three years, my thoughts turn to the acceptance letter I’ve written. I had my doubts when I came here, now Rob has given me the push I needed to start something new. I will take this amazing opportunity by the balls and place all my faith in the unknown. I just hope Australia is the answer and everything I need it to be.
Chapter One
Three monthslater - N.S.W Australia
My clammy hands hinder my driving skills as they slip on the steering wheel of our rented car. Despite the stream of air inside the vehicle, I can’t cool down. It’s probably less to do with the weather and more to do with a touch of nerves. I’ve tried distraction tactics, which don’t seem to work. My unhappy thoughts are out of control. While concentrating on the road in front of me, my mind wanders back to that night. I hate the memories I have of Rob and that bitch. It hurts my heart.
A warm hand grasps my arm, “Are you all right Hannah?”
I glance over to the passenger seat where Richard eyes me over his thick-rimmed glasses. I forgot he was here. He’s been busy reading a report for the last hour. Well, at least, I think he has.
“I’m fine, Richard. I just can’t wait to get there. I’m not a fan of driving.”
“Why do you think I made you drive?” he mumbles, bringing a smile to my face.
To ease the ache in my neck and distract the nerves in the pit of my stomach, my head leans from side to side, bouncing from one shoulder to the next. It’s an in-car workout to keep my body relaxed and thoughts of a socially uncomfortable weekend at bay. The Chairman and his family have invited us over. As one of Australia’s high-profile families, the Grants are at the top of the Australian construction tree.No pressure then.Richard already knows them well, but I’m meeting them for the first time. To add to my nerves, we’re staying at their home, just outside of the Blue Mountains in the Megalong Valley. The silver lining to this cloud is the area itself. I’ve heard it’s one of the most beautiful parts of the country. The fact we’re staying in style is a bonus.
As we drive the hour and a half journey from our base in Sydney, I continue to daydream myself into a bad mood while thinking about a certain, shitty ex-boyfriend. I should concentrate on what could be in store for me this weekend instead. Actually, it’s thanks to that shitty ex-boyfriend that I’ve accepted this job.
I became Richard's assistant some five years ago when he worked at the London branch of Grant Construction. It’s a much smaller operation than the one in Sydney and everyone knows everyone. A few years on, the opportunity of promotion in Australia landed on his desk, which he didn’t hesitate to accept. I stayed with Grants after Richard’s departure and landed myself a brilliant job with a team of four very boisterous engineers. We had a riot.
It was a few months later when I received an offer from our Sydney office. I’m unsure if Richard’s mood swings preceded him or if he couldn’t find anyone else to put up with his funny little ways, but somehow, he persuaded the company to sponsor me. I was hesitant at first, then after I’d caught Rob in the act with another woman, Australia won.
