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“Kee, Benni and I are moving to Cairns in a few weeks. I’ve been offered a job there.” There was a moment’s silence, and then the room erupted again. Questions and exclamations filled the room. It seemed like everyone wanted to congratulate them at the same time.
Wazza and Kee had talked about their future long into the night over the past week. He knew with great certainty that wherever he went and whatever he did; it needed to include Kee and her daughter. He’d even been prepared to give up country life for good and move to the city, if that’s what it took. At first Kee hadn’t been sure what she wanted to do. Her job at the animal shelter had been fulfilling, but it wasn’t really a career. A new city and a new start were fine in her books.
Tentatively, he’d told her about the job he’d been offered at the Gondwana Pastoral Company, acting as an agent to help hire and coordinate contract mustering crews for top end stations. With his experience as leading hand at Stormcloud, as well as his skill at using cutting-edge, low-stress mustering techniques and understanding the way mustering crews had to be matched to the ethos of a particular station, the company believed he’d make a great liaison between the contractors and the station owners. The job entailed a bit of travel, especially during mustering season, but he’d be stationed in Cairns most of the time. Allowing him to have a foot in both worlds. It’d been the job he’d been toying with on the day he’d found Kee stranded at the bore. And he was grateful he hadn’t turned them down in those few days afterwards.
Kee was delighted with the idea. He assured her there were good schools in Cairns for when Benni was ready to start kindergarten next year. He also had enough money saved up for a good deposit on a house. Kee hadn’t quite come around to this idea yet, she was still stuck on the fact she wanted to go into this as equal partners, and he could understand her point of view. He hoped for a cottage on the outskirts of town with a little bit of land. Living cheek to jowl with other families in suburbia wasn’t his version of perfection. Luckily, Kee agreed with him.
“So, I guess this is you officially handing in your notice?” Steve said with a laugh. “Good on you, Wazza. You know I’ll give you a glowing reference if you need one.”
“Thank you, boss.” Wazza grinned at Steve over the top of everyone else’s heads. He’d do everything in his power to help Steve find a good replacement for his position. He knew he was leaving Steve in a bit of a pickle, but Steve and Daniella would understand. Perhaps it was time for Dale to move up to the position of leading hand, he was going to take over Stormcloud at some stage, after all.
“I promise to come and visit you lots,” he heard Kee say quietly to her mother, whose face couldn’t hide her disappointment. They must’ve been hoping that Kee and Benni might move back to Sydney, but Kee had discarded that idea. She wanted a life where she was in control, not them. She was certainly going to include them as much as possible in Benni’s life, but she would do it on her own terms. “And you’re welcome to come and stay whenever you want,” Kee added, as her father leaned in to hear what they were saying.
“We’re sad you’re leaving. But at least you’re not moving too far away.” Daisy raised her voice from the back of the crowd, where she and Dale stood hand in hand, watching the proceedings. “So you can come back for our wedding in December.”
“Wouldn’t miss it for the world,” Wazza replied.
He would miss working with this wonderful crew. But he was also looking forward to building a new life with Kee and Benni. He knew Stormcloud would always welcome him back with open arms if he wanted to return, but he needed to start a new chapter right now.
Benni came up and grabbed his legs, hugging him tight. He lifted her up onto his shoulders, and she giggled with glee. Kee glanced up at them both, eyes full of love, and he pulled her into his arms. This was what life was all about.
