AllFreeNovel
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“You’re still laughing, Jet!” I smiled. “So, can you still talk Saturday night?”
“Oh, talk.” Jet’s voice was deeper. “It’s a little hard right now to be able to do that.”
“You’re in the evacuation centre?”
“No, I’m sleeping on Ash’s couch while I’m cut off from home.”
“What?”
“She insisted, even with their jet lag. They’ve been great. Cody’s a great dude, too.”
I huffed. He was more a part of my family than I was.“Well, I can’t do our ‘talk’ either. I accepted a job offer. They want me to start tomorrow for five weeks.”
“Wow, that’s great, Ari. What are you going to do?”
“Don’t laugh.”
I had no idea why I was nervous. I hurriedly opened my photos and selected a grinning family in their country best: pressed shirts, Akubra hats, spotless jeans and boots. Four days ago, as I’d booked my last minute 4WD camping adventure, I’d found their job. I applied, and they rang within two hours asking if I’d do a video phone interview, and was offered the job to start after I came back from the Dampier Peninsula.
“I promise there will be no merriment.”
I snorted and inhaled a deep breath. “Atemporarygovernessonaremotestation.”
Jet softly chuckled again. “Can you say that once more with pauses between the words?”
“A nanny, like a governess. Their usual governess is away for a holiday, and they wanted someone to be with their three girls while they did station duties with reduced staff. I liked them and their girls, and they offered me the job on the spot.”
The family was picture perfect for a boot company or country clothing ad, and they’d been so nice on the video call, even though it had dropped out three times during my interview.
Before Jet could react, I ploughed on. “I’ve been liking the face painting jobs with kids. And so did the station owners when I had my interview. The girls think I know lots of famous people because of my film and TV work. I thought I’d give this a try to see if it’s something I like.”
“That’s awesome, Ari. Really proud of you.” He paused, and then spoke closely into the phone. “Guess we have to play it by ear about when we can celebrate your new employment with a chat?”
“Yeah, we do. Not until I know what’s happening with my sleeping quarters and proximity to three girls under the age of ten.”
“Not that we can celebrate with me on Ash’s couch.”
I sighed, a little bewildered at how a one-night stand had become a weekly phone sex date who was currently sleeping on my sister’s couch but also a friend. A really good friend.
My mind spiralled into freefall.
A really good friend who’d said he loved me when he was drunk.
I hugged my stomach tight. “I’m scared,” I breathed, not sure I meant just the bushfire threat.
“I’m scared, too. It’s serious shit out there,” he whispered. “And your sister and Cody bang like bunnies, you know what I’m saying?”
I snickered. “Poor Jet.”
“I sleep with earplugs but can still hear them going at it.” Jet sighed. “I’m really glad you got the job, Ari.”
“Yep. It’s good. Yep.”
“Is … is everything okay?”
“I’m fine. Everything is fine.”
“Right, Ari. You don’t sound fine.”
