Traveller

Chapter 4 ~ Manual Labour

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Dedicated to my amazing editor Susie, thank you so much for everything! My story would be a grammar nazi's worst nightmare without you <3

I leaned over onto my knee’s gasping. It was scorching outside, and I had just completed a three-mile run from my new house to the beach. When people describe the ocean, and they tell you about the pure white sand, clear blue water and big waves, everyone automatically thinks Hawaii, right? Wrong. Australian beaches were the real thing; every single time I ran by, I had to stop and take it in. Mel and I had been in Australia for a week now, New Year's had passed with little fuss. We went out for dinner, then came back home and lounged around until the midnight firework displays. They were stunning and I regretted not going into the city to experience it first-hand. Two days later, Mel had started her new job at a classy law firm in the city, and I was left all alone during the day. At first, I loved being alone but by day three I was so bored that I started going for runs to the beach, which was what I was currently doing.

I stood up straight, deciding to get myself an ice-cream from the gelato bar. It was a cute little shop right on the beachfront.  The outside was painted pink with baby blue stripes and the sign at the top read ‘Mikki’s Gelato Bar’. The shop was always full of people coming from the beach and the hot sun coming into the cool air-conditioned room; right about now, air-con sounded amazing.

I walked into the gelato bar and noticed a ‘Help Wanted’ sign hanging on the wall. Normally, I wouldn’t go for a job, considering how much money the institution was throwing into this mission, but my days were already boring, and I had almost a month of summer break left. I decided to go enquire with the man behind the bar, worst case scenario would be that the position had already been filled.

“Hi, my name is Lia. I was wondering if the position had been filled?” I asked the man. He looked to be in his mid-forties with deep wrinkles around his eyes from smiling a lot. My guess was confirmed when was gave me a warm smile and held his hand out for me to shake.

“Hello, Lia, nice too meet you. I’m Mikki, the owner. The position has not been filled as of yet, however, we need someone who can start immediately. Would that be possible for you?” He had a super deep voice that contrasted with his smiling eyes.

“I can start as soon as possible,” I said eagerly. I really wanted this job the shop. It had such a nice atmosphere to it, and I could see myself fitting in.

“Great,” Mikki replied with an expanding smile. “When my nephew gets back from picking up some supplies, I will be able to do an interview. Can you wait about fifteen minutes?”

“Sure, no problem.”

I walked over to one of the tables in the corner and grabbed a magazine. The article was something shallow about some reality TV starlet’s million dollar wedding. I had the urge to burn it or tear it. I mean, who needs three wedding dresses? Luckily for the magazine, I had been working on my anger management and weird impulses, so I settled for picking off my purple nail polish instead.

Not long after that, the door to the shop opened as a guy walked in. I couldn’t see his face because he was carrying a huge box, but I caught a glimpse of his brown hair and broad shoulders. He walked towards the backroom while Mikki motioned for me to follow him and the boy. I stood up and followed Mikki, walking behind the bar into the backroom. I was surprised to see at least twenty photographs hanging on one wall, but did not get to admire them as Mikki called me into his office to begin the interview.

I got the job.

On my way out of Mikki’s office, I turned to thank him once again and managed to trip over my feet, causing myselfe to topple out into the hallway. I landed with a thud and a second later, I heard footsteps coming right at me.