Chapter 12

Meg sat in her new room at the house, boxes, cases packed and half unpacked, cupboards and draws opened some full, some waiting to be filled … in other words a mess.

She sighed, she had had enough of packing and unpacking but she knew she would have to do it all again and soon … the things she wanted were as usual in the other or last case or box she would come to. She silently promised herself that next time she would make a list where everything was kept.

She smiled as her mind carried thinking about the next time … true the distance would be small, just across the town compared to the one she had just done and her mind wandered back to the phone call from the airport to her mother and her father who was hoping for a word or two. That was true it was just a few words a bit strained at that, as she was getting ready to get on the plane and had not expected him to be there with her mother.

He had sounded good but then he always did - could she really trust him this time. Her mother sounded happy said she understood if she wanted them to keep in the background on her visit if they won the competition or at Christmas. That had caught her out … she found it hard trying to think of Christmas at the moment, it was enough just to think about the next few weeks. So she had left things open even to the extent of still not telling them where she was staying. Perhaps it was because she had spoken to her Dad at his request not hers as she'd wanted, and being a short hop away had made her edgy. … Okay it was hours and a different state … but not so far as Boston. Was she hiding it or wanting to keep it private … she could not make up her mind at the moment. No, she needed face to face proof that her father would not hop on a plane and grab her back, or take over her life again as he had before.

That meant going back for a while and she didn't want that yet … she liked the independence not having anyone relying on her and the other way round as well. Perhaps Christmas when the babies were born she would stay with her parents so Sara and Casey could have their privacy, or she could stay with them instead and help out. Things would be sorted here and she would know whether the job was a success or not.

She got up, stretched found the computer and the plugin and decided to write to Sara.

Hi Sara

Just to say I'm living out of suitcases with two friends, male and female and don't get ideas he's seeing another girl. They are great easy to live in with so far. The apartment I was hoping to have will be ready in a couple of weeks, the one above had a water leak and the owner was away so you can guess what it was like. Full time dry out, new ceilings the lot … glad I didn't find it, Jane did ... a couple of hours before we arrived. Some welcome for us, luckily it was only the two flats the rest were okay.

I cannot believe it's September already and I've been here two days, yep some suitcases and boxes still need emptying, just decided I needed a break. Been trying to find something … guess it's going to be in the last one I unpack!

Everything has been set up work wise and computers are behaving so will be busy. To top it all Paul and I are going to see a little bit Canada, his fiancée won a long weekend in a hotel and unfortunately cannot go so I'm going AND before you start squealing … separate rooms and her blessing. DRIVING this time, I've got a small car as the roads are steep into the hills. Good views over the valleys and spectacular sunsets, it is quite quiet compared to the city but a busy town if you understand what I mean, not a sleepy place, the airport is a drive away and it caters for small and medium planes.

Mum certainly sounds happy, so do you come to that, pity Casey could not stay for long when we spoke and Dad seems good. To be honest I was dreading making a call to him and yes I have forgiven him, well he is Dad and it's in the past. But trust is a different matter, that will come with time so I'm still not telling you where I am, perhaps when I see you at Christmas and stay things will be different. The thing that worries me is he will be fine for a while, then I say or do something and it is all thrown back in my face - I really don't think I can go through all that again and it would really mean the end of our family.

As for the competition I expect it will be a flying visit, just for the day perhaps a night, in which case can I have my bed? I'm really not sure about staying at Mum and Dad's but that I suppose it could be a test stay … see what you think and how you feel. You're health is very important. If you think staying with you and Mum is out of the question I'm sure I could stay with Vanessa and Michael or even a hotel.

Talking of your health, tell me your due date then I can book a seat and have extra time off. Don't panic I will stay with Mum and Dad then, unless you want a learner at your side besides Casey that is. Glad to hear new tenants in Surf Central are working out all right. Yes I have double-checked re rent and everything is fine, I am getting something in the account but it does not matter. I have good pay; accommodation and car come with the job, talk about landing on my feet. Oh I should not say that thinking about planes and tempting fate.

As for working here, office is nice not in a modern block, Jane is great to work with, Val is a real nutcase but good fun. I can understand why Paul moved out here to be with her. I don't know how she manages to run her business and look after her crazy Aunts and Uncles; she has got it down to a fine art. Been here two days and been to two parties, already met some friendly people, and I thought it was going to be quieter than the City. Hey … No you don't Sister! … I like the free and easy life for me!

Be in touch again when I get back from Canada.

Love Meg.

She sent it and eyed the mess, she would not be going on her trip for another day but she thought she would get it sorted as she unpacked her other things. Perhaps that's what was making life a little complicated, if she just unpacked everything then …

There was a knock on the door frame, looking up she smiled and exclaimed. "Ooh! Just what I need thanks." Meg got up and took the offered cup of tea and stood beside her new housemate, who was surveying the mess with a smile.

"Need some help?" He asked.

"Big bin bag comes to mind I think." Meg answered with a laugh then drank her tea the mess could wait a little longer.

"You're going to need some warm clothes soon especially going northwards, don't forget your passport."

She finished her tea and said wistfully, "You would think they would know where to go by now, they've been in and out of enough cupboards and boxes."

"Oh dear you are in a bad way." Her housemate laughed as he took the cup and placed it in the passageway out of harms way. "Any empty boxes that need storing or things you don't need right away can go in the 'walk in' cupboard next door. I've just finished clearing it out."

"Umm those two over there. I think I'll take a few things and buy when I'm up there I mean to say they have towns there selling all the right stuff."

He grinned he could not resist the tease, "Yes they have towns over the boarder," Meg smiled accepting the tease as he carried on. "The National Park is small but very beautiful, mountains, rivers and wild life …you don't have to be a climber to enjoy them and as it is change over season you might be in luck … people selling last year fashion in the sale.

There's another town between here and the boarder … further up the valley just before you go into the mountains proper. They have a small but good shopping centre we consider ourselves neighbours even if it does take three quarters of an hour to get there and we can be cut off from them in the winter. Keep promising myself I'll go mountain riding from there one day. Right two boxes coming up." He made his way over to the boxes and picked one up and exclaimed. "Okay one at a time then. … Gold bars not rocks I hope!"

Meg gave a gentle laugh as she started hanging some things up and putting others in the case.