Always on the Run

21. The arrangement

Hi guys, here's the next update! Hope you enjoy. :)
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The next three days are a struggle. It's taking me forever to get over the jetlag and I miss Mum and Jamie like crazy. Not a good combination I know. I really want to talk to Mum but we haven't been able to organise a time. We've text back and forth but that's as far as it's gone. We agreed we wouldn't talk a lot just to be on the safe side but that we would occasionally. It's been nearly a week and I think it's time.

There is an upside though. Toby has got me working at the hotel on reception. It's actually not a bad job. Having done reception work before, this is second nature to me but it's obviously different being in a hotel.

This is my fourth day in Mauritius and I've had three days of training from Prisca, Mirabelle and Anais. Today I'm at it alone as neither of them are working. I'm working with five other Mauritian women. I met them briefly before and they seem nice enough. When I've had questions they've been more than willing to help. Everyone seems nice here and I've settled in really well.

So settling in hasn't been a hassle at all. It's just missing those close to me. I've realised I need to be more positive though. I was so excited about having a chance at a new life and I really need to embrace it. If Jamie promised he would come for me, I need to hold onto that and stop doubting him.

I am going to try really hard not to struggle anymore. Life is good here. I have a job, I'm making money, I've got a fantastic brother and maybe a great sister-in-law but I'm still figuring her out...all in all my life is the best it's been for ages. I will embrace it.

The day goes fairly fast as we have a lot of people checking in and out. I started at six this morning and I'm rostered to finish at two this afternoon. It's now one fifty-five. Grinning to myself, I finish what I'm doing then tidy up the desk. I bend down to put something away and when I straighten up again, I shriek from shock when I see Nadeem behind the desk, standing right next to me. He's so close, our arms graze as I stand.

Taking a step back, I hold my hand over my heart and breathe deeply. "Nadeem, hi. You scared me."

He gives me a small smile. "My apologies, Teresa. Mother asked me to take you to her, when you were done here that is."

"Oh sure." I glance at my watch. "I have a couple of minutes to go, shall I meet you somewhere?"

"No I'll wait." He takes a step back so he's out of the way then clasps his hands in front of him and stares out over the entryway.

I've got to know Nadeem and Mirabelle a little more over the last few days and they're...different. All Mauritian people are lovely, as are these two but there is something about them. They're both incredibly formal and when either of them are asked to do something, they do it without question. I know that's a good quality but they never argue or whine about doing things. Don't we all make a fuss sometimes when we don't want to do something? I suppose it's good they don't but it's just different to me.

Of course I don't question it. It's the way they've been raised and I'm okay with that. It's just strange to see how different things are here.

When I'm done, I say goodbye to the other women then I smile at Nadeem and we walk away.

"Have you had any repairs today?" I ask in a lame attempt to make conversation.

Nadeem, who is walking a couple of feet in front of me, glances back. "Yes," he says but says nothing else.

Oh that's another thing. Nadeem and Mirabelle aren't very big on talking.

"Are you very busy?" I persist. Then to make it sound like I'm not being nosey I add, "I don't want to take up too much of your time that's all."