Page 62 of Higher Ground
“I just have one more question for today,” Ashleigh said with another of her enthusiastic smiles. “Moving from Gardner Creek is a big step, and I know we’ve spoken about the job potential and how excited you are to start your career, but are you ready for such a big location change?”
Emory froze. Maybe if she sat still, didn’t blink, for long enough, she could fool Ashleigh into thinking the connection had dropped out.
“It’s not my place to say whether you are or not, but your son is still young, and it will be a big adjustment. If you’re confident you’re ready, I won’t question your judgement,” Ashleigh continued when Emory remained silent. “But it’s something I want you to think about before we go through the next steps.”
Emory’s breath shook. She should have said something, anything, to squash Ashleigh’s concerns, but she had nothing. For the first time through the whole interview, she didn’t have the answer. In one short enough sentence, Ashleigh had broken all Emory’s resolve. Of course, she was still excited about the job, but Ashleigh was right. Moving to the city would be a big—no, huge—adjustment.
Three weeks ago, Emory would have brushed off the question with a laugh. She’d had nothing keeping her tied to Gardner Creek. But now?
Now, she knew that leaving town also meant leaving Byron. And the thought of that had enveloped her with worry. It wasn’t just not being with Byron that had her concerned. It was not being around anyone who supported her. She didn’t have much in Gardner Creek, but Mya was here, and Tucker. They were as good as family to her and Clayton. Byron was the closest thing Clayton had to a father figure, and the past few weeks aside, he had been nothing but helpful and supportive.
So maybe she had been hasty in thinking it was going to be an easy exit on her eventual way out of town. Her new—and incredibly overpowering—emotions for Byron aside, she wasn’t sure how she ever thought she could cope. Her ribs tightened, but she couldn’t find the right words.
Ashleigh’s brow furrowed at her lack of response. She looked away from the screen for a moment.
“Sorry,” Emory gasped, firmly aware that she was creating doubt not just in herself but in Ashleigh’s mind, too. “It would be a big change, but I’ve been working towards this through my whole course. I always knew that leaving Gardner Creek was in my future. Even if it is scary, I’m ready.”
She nodded then, pushing herself to sit a little taller. She was ready, and it was okay to be scared when faced with such a big change. It wasn’t okay to let her fear carry her away. Or hold her still.
Ashleigh looked pleased. She nodded, an overexaggerated movement that might have seemed over the top in person but through a video screen felt genuine and enthusiastic.
“We would be willing to support you in whatever way we can. Our relocation team typically works with higher-end management, but I’m sure we could convince them to help you with securing a house or apartment, as well as childcare for Clayton.” She paused, leaning forward into the screen a little. Emory matched her posture. The shirt strained along her back,but Emory no longer cared. This was going well. She was sure of it.
“That would be really helpful, thank you. What are the next steps in the interview process?”
“I’ll be really honest, Emory, I like you. I think you’re a wonderful fit for our graduate program, and I’m excited to move forward with you. After this round of interviews, we have successful applicants come into the office for a team-building exercise. It’s mostly a formality, but we do use the opportunity to see how the new graduates will work with each other, and within the whole Sydscape team. Would you be able to come to Sydney for that?”
Emory felt a shudder run through her spine. The fidget hung loose on her lap. If she’d understood correctly, Ashleigh was as good as offering her a position. Sure, it was all formality, and she still needed to impress them on this group interview day, but Emory could practically taste her ticket out of town.
“Yes, of course. It’ll take a little planning, but I can make it work.”
She’d have to. She’d do anything to make sure it worked, even if it meant covering Mya’s ticket to Sydney so she could watch Clayton for the day.
“Fantastic, you’ve got a while to figure it out. We don’t have a set day yet, but it’s typically later in November, after university exams have all finished. I’ll send you a tentative offer later this week, and we can confirm the details once the date is finalised.”
That was it? Emory grabbed the fidget from her lap, twisting it around her fingers in some feeble attempt to hide her eagerness.
“That would be great. Thank you so much.” She grinned so wide her cheeks hurt. There was no hiding how excited she was now.
“Take your time,” Ashleigh cautioned her. “Big changes are always equal parts scary and exciting. Make sure you give yourself time to feel both. Please reach out if you need anything.”
“I will, thank you.”
After a pleasant goodbye, Ashleigh discontinued the call, leaving Emory staring at her own shocked face. Her eyes were wide, her chin dropped low, but her open mouth was covered by her hands.
She’d done it.
She’d more than done it.
Three years of insane juggling and multitasking, of long nights studying and spending her work shifts reciting marketing techniques in her head in the lead up to exams. Three years of feeling utterlystuckin a small town that seemed to hate her. Three years of working for this moment, to finally have the road out of town cleared for her.
Ashleigh had offered her a positionandthe support she would need to find her feet in the city. It was everything she had been wanting and then some.
Tears began to fill her eyes as the overwhelming rush of emotion bled through her. She was proud and excited and determined. And, okay, she was also terrified of the change, but she was ready. Wiping her face, Emory pushed away from the desk and unbuttoned the top of her shirt. For the first time since she put it on, she felt like she could breathe again.
Her hand was on the door, ready to slide it open and share her big news, when she heard Byron’s voice from behind it.
“Not yet,” he hushed.
