I spent months wishing I could afford to get from Longreach to Brisbane.
And now I want nothing more than to go back.
I need her more than I need this TAFE certificate.
I feel safer with her than I do when Porter’s being all blokey and ignoring me.
But I’m too scared to tell her.
I know how much she wants me to do that course.
And obviously, there’s that infuriatingly handsome boy.
If I left the city for good, I’d ache for him more than ever.
My heart lives in two places now.
Six months ago, I would have traded anything to have these problems.
At least now I have people in my life who care about me.
And I guess two kind-of-homes are better than one toxic home, or a cold park bench.
“Sorry I can't stay longer, hun,” Beth sighs. “Gotta be back at work on the twenty sixth. Rocco's on leave, so it's just me and Harry running the place.”
“It's okay,” I bluff.
“Franko behaving himself?” Beth laughs.
“Most of the time,” I grin, handing her a salad bowl.
“Rough diamond, that one,” she replies. “He means well.”
We whip up a feast in her tiny rented kitchen.
All of my favourite recipes.
I miss a certain chef while we cook.
Yet somehow I miss Beth even more now that she’s standing right next to me.
???
On Christmas morning, a peaceful hush blankets the urban concrete maze.
Every store in downtown Brisbane is a dark cavern, even Coles.
I suggest a stroll along the river.
We wander past the spot where I was kissed.
It feels too soon to tell Beth about him.
Because tell her what exactly?
Boyfriend would be a lie.
Just a friend would be a lie too.
