Chapter 2 – It's done
Today was not her day, in fact, it was not her week. She'd been ill, Charlotte, her nine year old daughter had been ill, the icing on the cake was she was working in an absolute hellhole and the cherry on the cake? Terry had nearly worked out where she was! She sighed; at least it wouldn't be hard to leave this job. It was just the guilt of telling Charlotte, breaking her heart, listening to it shatter like a drunkards glass, but it had to be done.
For all those reasons, it was probably the reason Alice Collins was quite happy to hear her mobile phone's intolerant and highly annoying tuneless ringtone. There was only one reason that phone ever rang... a job offer.
She answered it politely, standing in the small bedroom of the tiny house she shared with her daughter, she could hear Charlotte rummaging around.
"Hi, it's Danny Trevanion, the State Vet put me in touch with you?"
So he was a northerner.
"Ahh right, so what can I do for you?" Alice smiled suddenly reverting to a friendlier manner. She didn't even know why, it just felt like she didn't need to be posh with this guy, it didn't feel like a job offer or whatever, it felt like a friendly conversation.
"I need a vet, long term really. Thing is, we're right out in the bush so not many people would be interested. There's a lot of work but I'll help try do a lot before I leave."
Alice felt intrigued, where was he going? Why?
"So what needs doing? Is accommodation provided?" Alice asked fighting the urge to ask him where he was going. Damn nosey cow she was!
"Well, there was a bush fire here..." The line went dead. "Anyway, the animal hospital needs getting back on its feet. As for accommodation, it's all provided along with food and anything else you'll need. You'll be treated as though you are one of the family, you and your daughter."
She smiled to herself, this sounded the perfect job.
"So what's it called?" Alice asked. "The game park that is?"
"Leopards Den."
"Sounds good..." Alice was at a stop now, what did she say?
"So would you be interested?" Danny asked.
"Maybe." She teased; she heard a gentle, low rumble of laughter.
"So if I was to offer you this job you'd hesitate."
"Yes." Alice replied.
"Alice would you like the job?" Danny asked.
"Yes." Alice replied.
"Great stuff!" Danny grinned through the phone.
"So when would you like me?" Alice asked, a pen and jotter in her hands.
"Well... soon as." Danny said.
"Gimme about two days." Alice said. "I'll be there."
"Great! Well, if you aren't greeted by myself, it'll be Anders DuPlessis or Nomsa... do not be scared of Dupe though, he's a softie really!" Danny laughed.
"You have me worried." Alice replied.
"Good!" Danny said, a smile plastered to his face, the phone pressed to his ear... that voice. For the first time since her death he had properly smiled. "Well, erm see you."
"Yeh bye."
Alice flipped the phone down, before clapping her hands together. YES! She was outta here.
"Charlie?" Alice called through the mini house they were in.
"Yeh?" She asked walking to meet her mum.
"Listen sweetie, I know you didn't want to move but a really good long term job's come up. It's right in the bush with lions and elephants, it's amazing." Alice enthused.
"Guess I'd better go pack." Charlotte mumbled moodily.
"You'll love it Charlotte!" Alice called.
"You always say that." Her daughter wined looking at her mother in the eyes. Hurt was evident in those green eyes.
"I know." Alice replied weakly. "But this place sounds perfect. Charlotte, please... this is a good opportunity for us both. Plus, it's for a long time in the middle of nowhere, we aren't going to be moving for at least a few months!"
"Fine." Charlotte mumbled. "Now I'm off to go pack."
Alice walked over and hugged her daughter gently, she smiled as she felt her daughter wrap her arms back around her. Pressing a kiss to her hair, Alice stood up and nodded.
She watched Charlotte walk off, heard the thud of a suitcase as she got it out. She smiled, that was hopefully gonna be the last thud for a while. She sighed, maybe life was going to improve. She had a good feeling about this. Maybe today was her day after all?
A/N – I know it's short but I just sort of wanted a bit of Alice background, bit of Danny and Alice conversation and Charlotte to be added in. The next chapter I'm going to add a bit of Rosie/Max too :) x
