Nasi Goreng

Rachel had had a few months unemployment after she had thrown away the Louis Vuitton job. Jobs like hers were hard to find. The competition was tough, and she had to explain why she had thrown away such a good opportunity and explain that she would not run out on a job offer again. Rachel had also, out of consideration for Ross, not wanted to involve Mark in her search. In the end, she had ended up working for a smaller clothing line, although it still had outlets in many countries.

When she asked the boss at work about time off to go to Indonesia, the first time she had asked for time off, she had expect that she might be asked to take a detour to the Singapore outlet.

"I can let you have a few more days, if you'll go to Melbourne for me," her boss said. "I need you to look at our store in Chapel Road and I need you to speak to the manager there. There's also a cloth supplier I'd like you to look at."

"Sure," Rachel said.

So a few days after she had seen Ross off at the airport, she was herself being seen off by Monica.

"It's not so easy to transport them around," she said. She sighed, "Even less, now that they've decided to walk, because I can guarantee, they're each off in a different direction!" Rachel laughed. Even Emma was a handful, and there was only one of her. "I don't think I'll be going overseas for a long time," Monica said.

"You don't really want to, do you?" Rachel asked.

"It would be nice, to be free – but no, not really," she smiled. "I've done all the travelling I want to do, and I'm very happy to stay at home." Having the babies and the house had done so much to make her content. Rachel thought it even made Monica less fussy, in some respects. Happiness, and reality of small children must have done that for her. "I'm glad you guys aren't going to get married in Bali. Don't you dare do it behind our backs either," Monica said.

"We won't," Rachel laughed.

"No getting drunk either," Monica warned. Well Monica was allowed to say that. She had earned the right to say it.

"No thanks, I want to remember my wedding. This is going to be a nice family holiday and nothing else!" Rachel answered. She hugged her friend, her best friend, except for Ross.

"Hug me too!" Emma demanded, and Rachel picked her up, so that they could have a group hug.

"How is Ross liking it over there?" Monica said, as Rachel held Emma in her arms.

"He's loving the conference," Rachel said, "All he wants to do is talk about dinosaurs."

"Oh no. Hasn't he been to see anything in Indonesia yet?"

"I think they were all taken on some tour of some place," Rachel said, "But I have no idea. The tour was his chance to talk to someone from Germany. He doesn't remember what he saw."

"Typical," Monica said. "Make sure you see a thing or two when you're there. The place isn't just about beaches you know."

"I'll try,' Rachel said. She had meant to read up a little before she went, but she just didn't have time, what with work, day to day life, getting Ross ready, getting herself and Emma ready... She was sure there would be some tour guide or other who would show her everything she needed to see. She hadn't even have time to pick up much of the news lately. Only one story from the day before had penetrated her consciousness, and that wasn't really just a story, just coverage of the President's latest speech. The President was annoyed that other countries weren't stamping down on drug traffickers and was saying that they should tighten up on penalties. Rachel agreed. Those people helped ruin countless lives. She wasn't sure about the death penalty, but she agreed that something had to be done.

In Melbourne, she had a nice two days, first visiting the Chapel road store, where everything seemed to be going well, then wandering along where she saw what the local designers were offering, keeping Emma's fingers away from the delicate fabrics in Collette Dinnigan's store. The fabric person was able to meet her later that day, and Rachel collected some samples to take back to New York.

The next day was an Emma day, with the zoo, and St Kilda beach, before dinner on Lygon street with Cheryl, the manager of the Chapel Road store, and Kevin, her partner. Cheryl was thin, with long blonde hair done up in a twist – although superficially like Phoebe, she gave off a very business like air. Kevin was likewise tall and lanky, going bald. They were in an Indonesian restaurant, since, as Cheryl said, she may as well get a foretaste of what she would be eating. So Rachel had some Nasi Goreng, and Emma, who had suddenly turned fussy, had some plain steamed rice.

"Have you been to Bali before?" Cheryl asked.

"No, never."

"Seems like every Australian has," Kevin said, singing a snatch of a song Rachel didn't know which had the words "I've been to Bali too."

"Yeah, and they're still going," Cheryl said.

"Why wouldn't they be going?" Rachel asked in surprised, because Cheryl and Kevin had exchanged a look, full of meaning.

"Oh, you know, because of the Kuta beach blast, they were worried that Australians wouldn't go back," Kevin said. Rachel's heart skipped a beat. "October, 2002. 88 Australians died out of a total of over 200 hundred." She must have been looking blank because Kevin added, "Some Americans died. It must have made the news over your way."

"The police will be on the look out for that kind of thing," Cheryl said, "Suspicious people in crowded areas full of westerners. The terrorists hate westerners of course, and Indonesia is a Muslim country."

"I thought they were something else," Rachel said, feeling slightly alarmed.

"On Bali, it's mostly Hindu," Cheryl said.

"Some Muslim," Kevin said.

"The people on Bali are really nice," Cheryl added, "The bombers didn't come from Bali, they came from other parts of Indonesia." But if people could move about freely within a country, what difference did that make? She was glad when they changed the subject.

Ross called her as arranged at her hotel that night.

"Are you safe?" she asked.

"Of course I'm safe!" Ross exclaimed, "Why wouldn't I be safe?" If he didn't know, should she worry him. "Everyone's so nice and friendly."

"Oh," Rachel said. "Have you arrived at the hotel?"

"I've just got here," Ross said. "I haven't had a chance to have a look around. Julie said it was a good place."

"Julie said?"

"Yeah," Ross said, suddenly sounding reserved, "You know from years ago. She's not here, she just recommended it. She said the hotel's ownership is foreign, but they treat the workers well, better than most of the local hotel owners do." She didn't know why she felt relieved to hear him confirm that Julie wasn't there. It was going to be a long time before she could be relaxed about any of Ross's ex girlfriends – so many things had happened over the years to mess things up.

"Good," Rachel said, having a soft spot for people in the service industries, like waitresses.

"So you get a good night sleep sweeties, and give Emma a good night kiss for me."

"And me?"

"Of course," Ross said. "I can't wait to see you."

"Me too," Rachel said.