Veronica March 2006
My time in Claremont was coming to an end and I was a little bit sad about leaving even though I missed my London life like crazy. Claremont would always be my hometown, a place of comfort and security for me, where I could walk down the main street and not be followed or harassed by the paparazzi. The town I once considered sleepy and boring had provided me with the perfect escape from my busy, fast paced life for a few weeks.
I had split my time here between Kate, Nick and Aunty Celeste but I didn't want to leave Claremont without seeing Penny and Lucas so we organised to have lunch at Red Dragon on my last day in Claremont. On my drive to the restaurant I was surprised about how much Claremont had changed since I'd been gone, the video store, that Bridget and I would frequent often when we were growing up, had been demolished and there was a sign up advertising that a supermarket was opening there in September plus I noticed how many new housing developments were popping up where there was once only bushland, it seemed that the sleepy town of Claremont was getting some life breathed into it.
While I waited out the front of the restaurant for Penny and Lucas to arrive, I read through the email Sam had sent me, he was back in our flat in London for the weekend because United had played a game close by and he was sharing with me how strange it was to be home without me there. We'd been doing long distance since he moved back to Manchester last year and had adapted to our regular Wednesday night video dates and being able to call each other whenever we wanted but with me in Australia, with the huge time difference and staying with Kate, it meant that we hadn't been able to have our video dates. I missed him more than ever, being so far away but was happy we had the technology to make it possible to keep in touch.
I had just sent off my reply back to Sam when I spotted Lucas' car pulling into the parking lot. He had barely stopped the car before Penny jumped out and ran up to me, almost bowling me over when she hugged me tightly. We hadn't seen each other since last July, not that that was really a catch up, given that it was at Alex's funeral, we'd kept in touch through emails and phone calls but nothing beats being around each other.
"You have no idea how happy I am to see you." She squeals into my ear, unable to contain her excitement from spilling out. It's hard not to feel joy whenever Penny is around.
"I've missed you too." I tell her, not wanting to let her go. Even Penny has changed slightly, her once long, strawberry blonde hair had been cut to shoulder length, giving her a more mature look.
I feel a hand on my back and turn around to see Lucas behind me, he's grown a short beard which makes him look completely different.
"Hey Roni" He says as he gives me a one armed hug.
"Hey, wow, you grew a beard?" I ask him, admiring how much he suits it.
"He kept getting confused for one of the teen kids at the centre, not the actual councillor." Penny explains to me with a giggle, reaching out and stroking her husband's facial hair. "I love it"
"I didn't love it the day I got asked if I was one of those teenager's dad." Lucas chuckles, he opens the door to the restaurant and hold it, allowing Penny and I to walk through first. The restaurant is busy but luckily Lucas made a booking.
"How is the counselling thing going?" I ask Lucas once we're seated.
"It's great, I've just started taking on small groups, which is good for the support the kids get from one another. It teaches them that they're not alone with their problems, that others are going through similar and they pull each other through." He says with a smile. "I love my job, it's so rewarding when I can help a kid out of the darkness."
