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Allee carefully placed the books, toys, and photos up on the empty shelves; if nothing else, these items helped centre her. They were a part of who she was before she met Stuart, and even though some of them were obtained during their relationship, they were items that she had cherished and enjoyed despite his contempt towards them. The last was the box she had taken home on Friday, which held office supplies she would need for work the next day, as well as the gifts she'd received at her going-away party.
Despite feeling sticky in the lingering humidity, Allee decided against a shower, and instead pulled her hair up and pinned it on the top of her head, tendrils floating down to settle against her skin. She brushed her teeth, applied a little make-up, then made sure she had the address of the studio in her handbag. The she headed out the door, determined to make the most of her first day in Brisbane.
Allee returned, shouldering her way in, arms full of bags of shopping. She rummaged through to pull out the items she needed to put in the fridge and freezer. Piddle sauntered out of the bedroom, paused and stretched, her front legs straightened out in front of her, claws extended, then stretched her back legs one-by-one, tail quivering. She sent Allee a disdainful look before deciding to investigate the empty shopping bags, turning away with disgust when there proved nothing of interest.
She’d had a productive day. Her new office was just off Logan Road, in the Brisbane Business and Technology Park. She hadn't entered, but instead slowly driven past the entrance, thinking that finding her new workplace would settle the nerves fluttering in her chest. Instead, those flutters were now a violent hurricane, and she had to take calming breaths to push the panic away. After leaving the Business Park and visiting several real estate agencies to inquire about rentals in the area, Allee found her local shopping centre and went into the supermarket to buy food and other necessities. Now that she was back at the apartment, Allee was at a loss. It was still mid-afternoon, too early to start dinner, and it made her wonder what to do next.
Realising that the cards and gifts from her colleagues in Melbourne were still sitting unopened, Allee decided to start with the cards, opening one that she'd received from her colleagues. It made her smile. The comments and well-wishes that everyone had written surprised Allee, as she had been unaware of the general regard and esteem that people had held her in. The next card Allee opened was from Antonio and his extended family, including Uncle Dom. Allee was even more stunned to find that it contained a $500 IKEA gift card. Although she had known most of Cass' extended family for most of her life, she had become so used to fending for herself that their generosity was unexpected. The third card was from Cass, and Allee guessed that she must have given it to Antonio to pass along. Allee was almost reduced to tears when she read what her friend had written to her and then screeched with astonishment as she opened the smaller card contained within, for Cass had supplied Allee with another $500 IKEA gift card. It took Allee a moment to compose herself before she was able to open the last card. It was from Gareth. It was lovely, filled with praise and well-wishes, and held another gift voucher for Bed, Bath and Table for $100. Allee smiled, guessing that Gareth had wanted to give her a little something just from him.
Allee then opened the wrapped boxes. One gift contained a framed anecdote written in a calligraphic script. The message, ‘People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it’, made Allee smile. She suspected it came from Gareth, as he was always spouting positive and motivational phrases, and she knew it would remind her of him every time she looked at it. To Allee's delight, the other gift contained several items she had been drooling over for a long time. She knew this one was from Cass, as very few people knew of her obsession with Doctor Who. The large box contained several smaller ones, containing a TARDIS lidded mug, and a TARDIS cookie jar. The last had a collection of Doctor Who merchandise – River Song's blue journal, a Sonic Screwdriver pen, a desk-patrolling Dalek, and even a small, soft TARDIS that made the apparating noise when pressed in the middle. There was a note at the bottom of the box,
These are for your sanity. Take them to work, or keep them at home, just know that whenever you look at them, you're my friend no matter where you are in time or space.
XOXO, Cass.
Allee decided that she'd keep the cookie jar, journal and pen at home but take the framed anecdote, mug, Dalek and the soft TARDIS to work with her. If her new colleagues weren't fans, then so be it, but she was determined to make her workspace a place where she would be happy going to every day.
Allee put all of the gifts aside before settling down to open and read the letter Gareth had given her. She opened the envelope, slightly puzzled to see that it contained another envelope, which she put to one side as she unfolded the handwritten note, recognising Gareth's bold, blocky script.
My dearest Allee,
As I sit here tonight, on the eve of your farewell, I cannot help but feel a fatherly concern for your health and well-being. In the months that we have come to know and work with each other, you have impressed me with your initiative, courage, tenacity, and beautiful spirit. You have amazed me daily with your cheerful demeanour, and your welcoming presence made coming in to work a joy.
As you know, I have grown daughters of my own, and never in my wildest dreams did I think that I would come to regard anyone in the same light or esteem as I do them. I have watched you as, each day, you have come further and further out of your shell, and your own father is the only one who could possibly surpass the pride I have felt watching this transformation.
Allee paused, pure astonishment setting her back into the couch. After a moment, she continued reading. As she progressed, her eyes filled with tears, a lump of raw emotion clogging her throat. The last paragraph of the letter was Allee's undoing.
I know you have suffered Allee, I could see it shadowed in your eyes every day. I had hoped that one day you would confide in me, allowing me to help you in some way. I still hope that one day, you will. Just know that you will succeed Allee, you have my utmost faith in that, and although you have not asked me for anything, I would like to do what I can to make your life that bit easier. Do what you wish with the envelope's contents, but I hope that you will use it to help you set up your new life.
The letter then ended with Gareth's address, telephone number and personal email address, should she wish to keep in contact.
Allee was incredulous. It had been so long since anyone outside of her inner circle suspected all was not well in her life. The fact that Gareth had not only noticed but had waited for her to trust him enough to talk to him set her mind spinning. Had she done the right thing in running? Could she have stayed in Melbourne, working in a job she’d enjoyed, and found some way to get rid of Stuart? If she’d opened up to more people, asked for help earlier, would she be in the same position she was in now? Doubts flooded her, making her second-guess every move she had made, every decision she had taken since she’d realised that Stuart had found her.
Her mind reeled back to her original escape. If she’d let more people in, fought that disconnection, would she have even worried if Stuart had found her? Allee closed her eyes, forcing all the 'what-ifs' and 'could-have-beens' out of her head. There was no use regretting her actions now, she’d made her choices, and she had to deal with the consequences. However, she would try to be more open and receptive to people around her, to try not to shut herself away, as that only isolated her and meant that Stuart won. Allee was determined that he would not rule her life anymore, and that decision gave her strength.
Allee opened the other envelope enclosed with Gareth's letter, completely gobsmacked to find a wad of money inside. Hands shaking, she pulled the money out, adding it all together; $750 in notes. Allee couldn't believe her eyes. After so long of being so alone, suffering alone, having to pretend that everything was fine unless she wanted to face the 'consequences', here was someone who wanted to help, wanting nothing in return except to see her happy.
It was still early enough for her to go to the bank and deposit the money. She grabbed her bag, phone, keys and apartment card and went out the door with a new spring to her step.
The tide was turning. Maybe things were going to be all right after all.
Chapter Five
Tuesday dawned without fuss or fanfare, and Allee woke at her usual time. She felt a warm weight tucked up under her arm and turned to see that Piddle had forgiven her for keeping her in a cat-crate for two days. She softly stroked the cat's head, scratching her lightly under the chin, and then got up to begin her morning ritual.
Showered and dressed, she moved out to the kitchen, where Piddle was waiting for her, sitting patiently by her food bowl. After scooping out a measure of dry food and pouring it into the bowl, Allee walked over to the kitchen bench where the kettle sat. Waiting for it to boil, she pulled the fridge door open, removing various bits and pieces to prepare breakfast and lunch. This repetition of her morning ritual helped steady her nerves.
Shortly afterwards, Allee moved out to the balcony to have her breakfast at a leisurely pace, reading through the last book in Kristy Cunning’s All The Pretty Monsters series. She had discovered the books after she had fled to Melbourne, had read them multiple times. The fact that Stuart would have hated them gave her a thrill over her small defiance. Although her working day was to begin at 8.30am, she was determined to get there an hour earlier to get her desk set up, but to also mentally prepare for meeting an entirely new workplace.
By seven, Allee was ready to leave. She grabbed the box of office paraphernalia, including the gifts she had decided to take with her, checked that the balcony door was locked, then left the apartment, hearing the door click securely behind her.
The first person Allee met on arriving at the office was Walter Morton, the building manager. He was unlocking the doors, so she decided to introduce herself. They spoke briefly, Allee trying to be open and pleasant. ‘Wal’ gave her a warm welcome, insisting she only need call if she wanted anything.
The building itself housed several different companies inside its double-storied facade. The ground floor was the office of a cruise company, a corporate accounting firm, and a company that organised package tours for out-of-the-way destinations. Up a flight of stairs, the second floor was home to Black Bug Studios, the development team of popular MMORPGs Tiki Terror and Guardians, and their numerous sequels, and her new job.
Allee was glad to discover that she was the first to arrive. The sound of her boots echoed in the silence before she reached the locked glass door with the studio emblem emblazoned across the frosted glass. There was a small antechamber with display cases and shelving lining the walls, one dedicated to Tiki Terror, the other to Guardians. They contained figurines, signed limited-edition releases and posters, assorted promotional advertising, and books centred on the plot and characters of the games. A hallway branched off directly opposite the door, and Allee walked down it, passing two closed doors and two alcoves before it opened into an enormous space.
There was an enclosed glass-walled room at the rear, which contained a large conference table and many chairs, and there was another smaller room next to it. Next to the small room, in the back corner, was a U-shaped mass of computers, parts and wiring. Four clusters of desks and cubicles divided the rest of the room.
