Double Take

Chapter 11 - Falling into place

The sounds of footsteps have long since receded when I cautiously emerge from my hiding place. I peek my head up over the partition like a meerkat and fortunately, the coast is clear. My eyes dart around the cubicle from the various pot plants, to my collage of photos and inspirational post-it notes. Tears well up at the realisation I'll probably be packing this all up tomorrow.

All of it doesn't quite make sense, and maybe I'm jumping to conclusions, but how can a good thing come out of tomorrow's meeting? Mr Blake's angry tone made it seem like I'm toast. Let alone his inexplicably odd move to disclude Finn from the meeting... his son's the General manager after all. Perhaps it's because Finn seems to be the only one who had my back in the Manager's meeting?

As the shock wears off, the gravity of the situation hits me like a wrecking ball. I will need to find a new job immediately. A few weeks of unemployment will decimate my already scanty savings. And what if I can't find a job... then how would I even make rent? My mind jumps to another horrible possibility what if I need to relocate to Karratha or, worse yet, what if Dan won't put me up...?

Swallowing back the tears prickling my eyes, I seize my handbag and hightail out a back exit. It's a small victory that I make it to the bus stop without bumping into one of my soon to be ex-colleagues.

The row of street lights flicker on as dusk descends around me. A couple of people join me at the bus stop but I keep my tearful eyes downcast. Thankfully the bus arrives shortly after, whisking me away from Blake Engineering for possibly the second last time.

It's a long and lonely bus ride and the sudden urge to hear a familiar voice takes hold. Goodness knows it's probably too late to speak to my mother with the whole three hours ahead nonsense. Even though it's expected the sound of my mother's voicemail sends me over the edge and my tears streak down my cheeks.

My life has officially reached a new low. Twenty years old and crying on public transport at the prospect of being fired from a menial job. I scrub angrily at my eyes with my sleeve. Damn this all; I never wanted those photos. I'm starting to regret going to Embrz. This was all such a huge mistake.

Sniffling I try my brother Dan next. At least we're in the same time zone, but I wouldn't have a clue in regards to his work roster. For the second time tonight, a voicemail greets me and I almost curse out loud. My fingers pause on who to try next...A friend? Is it really fair unloading on any of them anyway? I tuck my phone away and the tears don't stop flowing for the rest of my trip home.

My apartment is cast in darkness as I head inside. Making me recall Shayne's at her waitress job, even though we're not close it makes me sad. Loneliness claws at me along with despair. I wish there was someone to vent to. Even though Shayne's at work still, evidence of her is scattered all over the room as I flick on the light. For the first time in a long time, the messy apartment doesn't bother me as I head straight to the bathroom to draw myself a bubble bath.

Minutes later I'm sinking into the hot water, and my tight muscles unclench a fraction. I feel so wound up it'll be some kind of miracle if I get to sleep. Thinking of that I reach for my phone perched on the bath caddy.

There's a new email on my work account, no doubt the meeting request for my exit interview. Instead, I hone in on the unread message icon, and I seize upon it like a lifeline. My amazing date last night and hectic work day chased away the memory of voicemails left on my phone. I dial message bank and put the phone on speaker as I sink back into the bubbles. "You have two new voicemails. At 9:33 pm" The robotic-sounding message bank pauses as the first recording begins.

"So..."

My heart skitters to a stop as I recognise the deep gravelly voice immediately. An electrifying thrill runs through me sending goosebumps all over my skin.