Kate stepped inside and looked around. April was spot-on again. The house was adorable. The ceilings were high and the decorative cornices were painted in a different color from the walls. The timber floorboards were made of pine and Kate loved the sound they made underfoot – so different from the plastic sound of the laminated floating timber floors in her apartment. She shook her head to clear the unpleasant memory.
The bathroom and kitchen were both outdated, but perfectly usable. The bath was deep and the showerhead above it looked brand new. Kate hoped the water pressure was good. No dishwasher in the kitchen was a surprise, but then Kate reminded herself that she was living on her own and wouldn’t be generating much in the way of dirty dishes. It might be a nice change to wash by hand. The kitchen sink was beneath a window that overlooked the backyard and Kate knew the first thing she would do would be to remove the fussy floral curtains that covered much of the window, blocking the light.
She took her time inspecting every room and was already imagining where she would place furniture when her phone rang. She couldn’t see where April had disappeared to, but Kate could see her car was still parked in the driveway. She walked through the kitchen, unlocked the back door and stepped out onto the veranda to take the call.
“Hello, Kate Kennedy speaking.”
“Kate! Hi! It’s Belinda Grills. Thought I’d give you a call and let you know the job is yours.” Belinda’s cheerful voice came across the phone line.
Taken aback with the lack of formality in the offer, Kate wasn’t sure how to respond. “Oh wow. Um. That’s great. When do you want me to start?”
“So, is that a yes then?” Belinda asked.
“I suppose it is!” Kate was still not familiar with making quick decisions without first consulting Marcus, and when she found herself agreeing to the new job without even thinking, it surprised her. “Yes. I’d love to accept the position.”
“When can you start?”
“Does a month sound reasonable?” Kate asked. “I have to give a month’s notice but I’ve got plenty of annual leave I can use and I’m sure Melissa would be happy to approve it so I can finish up earlier. Once I find somewhere to live it won’t take me long to get unpacked and settled in.”
“That sounds great. If you need longer just let me know.”
“I will,” Kate replied. “And if there’s any changes to the timing after I’ve spoken to Mel, I’ll let you know.”
“Great! Too easy. I’ll get onto HR now and they’ll email you some contracts later today. You’ll be started on the standard level one unit manager award rate. Just get everything signed and sent back to us at your convenience. I’ll be in touch to discuss an orientation day and any other things that are relevant closer to your start date. How does that sound?”
“Terrific,” Kate answered.
“Are you still in town or have you already headed back?” Belinda asked.
“Oh, I’m still here. I’m just having a look around.” Kate didn’t want to lie but wasn’t sure she wanted to admit to Belinda that she was already looking at rental properties.
“Great. Why don’t you check out some rental properties while you’re here?” Belinda suggested.
Glancing around her, Kate felt like Belinda knew she was already doing that. Was the town that small that everyone knew what everyone else was doing?
“Okay. Sure. Yes. I’ll do that. Well anyway, thank you again, Belinda. I really appreciate the opportunity you have given me and I look forward to working with you and the team at Birrangulla Base.” Kate hoped her answer contained some semblance of formality and professionalism.
“That’s great, Kate. Now please feel free to give me a call anytime if you have any questions. And good luck with finding somewhere to live. I’m sure you’ll find the perfect property. Talk to you soon. Bye!”
Kate hit the end button and looked around her, unable to wipe the grin from her face. She felt like the cat that had just swallowed the canary. She spotted April at the end of the garden near some sheds. April was smiling back at her. Clearly she’d overheard the whole conversation.
“So, I guess you’ve got the job! Now all you need is the house,” April said.
“Yes, I have got the job and if you’ll show me where I need to sign, I’ll take the house too.” Kate smiled.
“Perfect. Just perfect.”
Kate heard the “I told you so” note in April’s voice and found herself grinning in return. It looked like everything was falling into place.
Chapter 8
Kate followed April back to her office to sign the necessary paperwork and pay the bond for the farmhouse. Afterward she sat in her parked car and called her mum again.
“Are you sitting down?” Kate asked Elizabeth when she answered the phone. “The job is mine. And I said yes!”
“Oh Katie. I’m happy for you. But it’s such a big decision. You sure you didn’t want to talk it over with Daddy and me first?”
“Mum. Seriously. We’ve had this discussion many times. I don’t need to ask your permission. Anyway, I’ve already said yes.”
“So when do you start?”
“In a month.”
“That’s so soon! Where will you live?”
“I’ve had a look around already and found a house I love, so I’ve just signed a lease. I can move in whenever I like, but I’ve said I’ll take it in two weeks’ time.”
“Darling I just can’t get used to you making such quick decisions, but I’m happy if you’re happy.” Elizabeth’s voice was full of warmth and support for her daughter. “Did you sign a long contract? And how long have you taken on the lease? Just six months I hope. In case things don’t work out. You can always come back home, you know.”
“I haven’t received the contracts yet. Belinda said she’d get HR to email them to me later today. I’m sure it will be at least a twelve-month contract so that’s how long I’ve signed on for the lease on the farm.”
“Farm?” Elizabeth sounded surprised and Kate pictured her mum’s perfectly plucked raised eyebrows. She mentally kicked herself.
“Oh. I meant to say farm house. The house is a cute little farm house.” She emphasized the word, again omitting the fact that her new home sat on a five-acre allotment, some distance from the nearest neighbors. Or that it was ten minutes from town, and had no street number, just a property name.
Cooinda.
April had said it meant “happy place,” although Kate suspected April might have been having her on. She would have to remember to look it up.
“I’ve taken a couple of photos so I can show you when I get back to your place.” Kate glanced at her watch, surprised to see that it was almost four o’clock. “Anyway, Mum, I’ve got to go. I’m hanging out for a coffee and I need to see if there is anywhere here that makes something half decent. And then I need to call Melissa and resign.”
Kate left her car parked in the street, bemused by the reverse angled parking that she hadn’t encountered before, and went in search of some caffeine. April had been no help when Kate had inquired where she might get a good coffee. She had suggested the local McCafé at McDonald’s, which served, in April’s words, “proper” coffee. Kate laughed at the memory of April’s sincerity. Kate didn’t have the heart to explain to April what she meant by wanting a “real” coffee.
As Kate was about to give up her search and head back to her car, she noticed a small bluestone cobbled laneway lined with wine barrels cut in half and overflowing with brightly colored geraniums and seaside daisies. They caught her attention and as she got closer to the laneway, the smell of fresh coffee wafted out and drew her in. This looks promising.
Down the laneway was a small opening in the side of an old red-brick building. A shiny black garage roller door was pushed up, revealing a tiny, glass fronted café. Directly out the front of the small space were some upturned milk crates forming makeshift stools and small tables were dotted around the bricked pavement. As Kate got closer, she saw a sign h
anging from a black metal frame in the doorway – “The Bean Counter” it read. Kate smiled, liking the play on words.
As she walked in, she noticed the café was empty of people and most of the chairs had been stacked on top of the tables ready for the floors to be swept. She was about to check whether they were still open for business when she spotted the barista standing behind the coffee machine. His long brown hair curled and brushed over the collar of his red check shirt and he had a three-day beard. Rather than giving him a scruffy appearance, it suited him. Around his neck was a twisted leather band and he had a similar one around his left wrist. He wore a black apron over his clothes. As Kate took another step farther into the café she caught a glimpse of long legs dressed in camel-colored pants, rolled up at each ankle, and dark tan-colored shoes on his feet. Not my type, but she still smiled to herself. He certainly was good-looking.
“Hello, love,” the man greeted Kate as she got closer and she blinked in surprise. It was the guy from the elevator! At the sound of his voice a sudden unexpected warmth coursed through her body, traveling down to her toes.
“Oh! Hi.” She grinned.
“What can I get yer today then, love?”
“If you’re still open, I’m in need of a proper coffee.”
“Yeah love, we’re still open. My name’s Joel.” He smiled and his blue eyes twinkled. “Joel O’Connor.” The dimples she remembered formed on each side of his mouth.
“Well, hello there, Joel O’Connor.” She smiled in return. When it was obvious he didn’t recognize her, she felt strangely disappointed. “I’m Kate.”
“So where are you from then, Kate?” he asked, his bright blue eyes dancing.
Do I have something written across my forehead? How do they know I’m not from around here?
“Sydney,” she replied.
“Well Miss City Chick, I make the best coffee in Birrangulla.” He smiled again, revealing perfectly straight white teeth. “And when I say I make the best coffee, I mean it really is the best coffee. I’ll even bet it tastes better than any coffee you’ve ever tasted from that city of yours.”
“Oh yeah?” she teased him. “How about I let you know once I taste it?” She laughed softly before stopping herself and covering her mouth with her hand. God, it sounded like she was flirting.
“It’s a deal,” he replied. She was surprised he didn’t reach over to shake her by the hand.
“I’ll have an espresso for starters and then a latte please,” Kate told him, handing him a crumpled ten-dollar note. Her fingers tingled slightly when they touched his.
“Ah, a real coffee drinker. I like you already City Chick! Grab a seat and I’ll bring it over.”
Rather than pull one of the chairs down from the tables dotted around the café, Kate chose a spot at the long timber bench situated at one end of Joel’s work area. She perched on the high stool and crossed her legs, her right leg swinging slightly in time with the music that was humming through the speakers. Her position allowed her to watch as Joel ground some fresh coffee beans and packed them into the small filter basket. As water dripped through into the cup below, a rich aroma greeted her.
With an upturned face, Kate inhaled deeply. “That smells incredible.”
“I told you I make the best coffee in town. I think you’ll love this one. It’s got a really sweet taste. A bit of citrus spice with berries and tropical fruits. Single origin, straight from Ethiopia. Fair trade and all that, too.”
Kate took the espresso he offered and brought the cup to her nose and breathed in her favorite smell. “Wow. You obviously know your coffee. I’m impressed.”
She looked up at Joel and for a brief moment they locked eyes. He stood with one hand on his hip and in his other hand was the towel he used to wipe the milk from the steamer. He rested his arm on the bench in front of her and didn’t take his eyes off her face. He was so close that even from the other side of the bench Kate could just detect the fragrance of his aftershave over the strong aroma of coffee beans. It had the same hint of lemon she remembered. She tilted her head back and in one long gulp allowed the thick rich blackness to slide down her throat.
“Wow,” she said again. “Okay, you win. That is hands down the best short black I’ve ever tasted.”
Joel made a small bow, sweeping the towel in front of him. “I aim to please.”
Kate laughed at his gesture and he turned back to the machine and repeated the action of grinding and packing the beans into the filter basket. At the same time he tested the steam and heated the milk in the stainless steel jug ready for her latte. The sound of the steam frothing the milk brought with it a sense of familiarity. Kate looked around and knew she wasn’t going to have to look elsewhere for coffee. She had just found her new “place” and it didn’t hurt that the guy who worked there was rather pleasing on the eye.
“So what brings you to Birrangulla?” Joel’s question broke into her reverie.
“I’ve just had an interview and been offered a position at the hospital,” Kate answered.
“Ah.” He smiled. “At the Base Hospital or the Private?”
“The Base. In ICU.”
“ICU?”
“Intensive care unit.”
“Doctor?”
“Nurse.”
“Well you have my congratulations.”
“Thank you,” Kate answered.
He frowned then and tilted his head sideways to look at her. “We’ve met before, haven’t we?”
Kate nodded. “The Royal Sydney Hospital. About a month ago.”
“Ah yes.” He smiled then, his face brightening, and she could see he recalled their meeting. “I was visiting me mum. You were the girl with the guilt roses.”
“Turns out you were right about that.” Kate dipped her head.
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
Kate shrugged. She didn’t want to ruin the moment by bringing Marcus into the conversation.
“So this is a bit of an escape plan then, is it?” Joel asked.
“Something like that.” Kate was ashamed to admit he was right.
Another customer arrived then and Joel got busy making her order. They were clearly good friends and by the time Kate was ready to leave Joel was engaged in a deep conversation with the other woman. Kate found that she was strangely disappointed that he hadn’t come back over to chat with her and once she had finished her coffee she stood up to go. Catching his eye and hoping she wasn’t interrupting, she gave him the thumbs-up sign.
“Awesome coffee. I’ll see you again soon.”
“I’ll look forward to that, Miss City Chick,” Joel replied, smiling at Kate and giving her a small wave in return as she walked out of the café into the late afternoon sun.
Checking her watch again, she knew it was time to leave if she planned on being back at her parents’ house before eleven o’clock. She didn’t want them worrying unnecessarily. Putting her shoulders back, she walked purposefully toward her car. It was time to sign off from her old life.
Chapter 9
As the sun finally began to break through and push aside the early morning fog, Kate stood shivering beneath the gum trees at the open front gate of her property. She had driven to Birrangulla the day before and had stayed overnight in a motel. She was eagerly awaiting the arrival of her dad with her new furniture and belongings. She had a quick check of her watch. Nearly eleven o’clock. He couldn’t be far away. The sun caught and reflected the dew on a massive spiderweb that had been spun between the strands of wire on the fence that surrounded the property. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves, causing drips of cold water to rain down on her uncovered head.
From where Kate stood, she could see the fog gradually lift and the sky roll overhead in a seemingly never-ending azure blue. It was a magnificent backdrop to the canvas of the hilly countryside that stretched out beneath it – large, neatly fenced paddocks of greens, yellows and browns as far as her eye could see, sprinkled with towering gum trees and the pinpoint out
lines of sheep and cows in the far distance. All it needed was a windmill or two and a horse grazing in the foreground to complete the picture. She took slow and easy breaths as she leaned back against the rusty old gate, surveying the view. She couldn’t remember the last time she had felt so contented. So far she could think of nothing that would make her regret her decision to make this tree change.
She hugged her navy woolen coat around her a little tighter and re-wrapped the pale blue scarf around her neck, trying to ward off the cool autumn morning. Stomping her feet to warm herself up while she waited, Kate wished she had thought to wear thicker socks inside her new leather boots, but even the cold couldn’t detract from her good mood. She had been warned by the real estate agent that it often snowed in winter. At first she hadn’t believed it, but seeing how cold it was already considering it was only the middle of May, Kate wasn’t going to be surprised if snow was only weeks away. Coming from the city and always having lived near the coast, Kate couldn’t imagine what a real winter was like. It was something she was excitedly looking forward to, although right at that moment the idea of snow seemed a romantic notion in her head. She shivered again. She couldn’t believe how cold she was.
Thankfully she didn’t have to wait long before she saw the removal truck come round the final bend and slow down as it approached her driveway. Waving excitedly, she was surprised and pleased to see her older brother Nathan in the passenger seat. Nathan had been working in the mines in Western Australia for the past five years, earning incredible money, but much to Kate’s dismay he was showing no signs of coming back east or of finding a partner and settling down. She hadn’t known he was even back in the state and she hoped there was nothing wrong.
Intensive Care: Escape to the Country Page 6
