Decisions, decisions was originally written in 2021 when my publisher started their publishing adventure with an App and I wrote this story specifically for the stories on the app. I’ve had the rights back for a while and I didn’t want to re-publish it so I’ve decided to add it to my website so readers can read it for free. As this was written 5 years ago I would certainly rewrite it if I was going to publish it on Amazon but early stories are all apart of the journey and I did enjoy writing it at the time. I hope you enjoy it.
A bit of blurb…


Mel is desperate to escape her tedious life working in a call centre. She wants to travel the world, taking photographs in the hope of finding her dream job as a travel photographer.
Her friend, work colleague and landlord, Brendan doesn’t want to hold Mel back, his string of one-night stands and empty relationships no substitute for who he really wants.
Will Mel really leave her heart behind to follow her dreams? Will Brendan declare his love and stop Mel from leaving? Will destiny and distance keep them apart?
Do dreams really come true?

Chapter One

It had been three months since Mel left and she still felt like she’d left something behind. Well, she had. The stubborn, romantic Mills & Boon reader inside her reminded her daily. Why had she felt the need to travel halfway around the world to realise what she really wanted was back home?

‘MEL! ARE YOU COMING?’

Mel came out of her daydream, grabbed her bag, and headed out to meet Paula, Bryony and Pippa. They’d met in a hostel in India and decided to carry on travelling together since they all had similar plans and had hit it off instantly. Today was the day of the helicopter ride and they couldn’t wait. They had been living on instant noodles for the last few days to be able to afford the trip, and they hoped it would be worth it.

‘I’m coming!’ Mel yelled back and apologised as a groan emanated from one of the beds near the door. Serves them right, she thought. Coming in at 3 am, shouting their heads off. She smiled as she left the room. It was something Brendan used to say to her when they were flat-sharing back in the UK. Only, it was her coming in drunk and shouting her head off. 

Mel ran to catch up with the others, their excitement levels off the scale. It was her first time in a helicopter, and she was as much nervous as excited. As she caught up with the others, she spotted a sign advertising for a full-time telesales person in a window; it took her right back to the first time she met Brendan.

***

Three years ago, they’d started working at a call centre on the same day. Brendan had been struggling to get his wheelchair up the ramp and she’d walked past him, totally oblivious to the world around her, unable to believe she wasn’t pursuing her dream of being a travel photographer and was, instead, resorting to working in a call centre. She turned as she heard someone shouting, ‘Hey, Sporty Spice, give me a hand, will you?’

He’d been referring to the gym bag slung over her shoulder. Mel had planned to run home after work. Not that she had ever run before, but in a bid to make her life more interesting and positive, she’d made a list the night before. This job had to be a short-term pain for a long-term gain. She’d even bought a new notebook which said “Make your dreams come true” in beautiful calligraphy letters that flowed across the page.

One day, Brendan would find the book and laugh whilst reading out the list.

1. Work for one year to make enough money to go travelling. (One year had turned to three.)
2. Get fitter. (By the time she finally left, she was 5lb heavier than when she had started at the call centre three years ago.)
3. Sign up for a photography course. (She had achieved this at least and bought herself a new camera. But to specialise in travel photography, she knew she had to travel further than Derby for inspiration.)
4. Find love. Get married. Have three, no, two children and live happily ever after, travelling the world as a family. Be like one of those “new age” families where the kids are home-schooled and educated through life experiences, or something like that!

Mel had turned at the sound of the voice to see the most handsome bloke she’d ever seen, struggling to push himself up the dodgy ramp, which was at such an angle that even she felt it hard on her virgin unexercised calves. She’d been watching Pride and Prejudice whilst making her list and wondered if swooning over Mr Darcy had somehow projected his looks onto the gorgeous bloke before her. Maybe she was making her dreams come true, maybe the notebook had special powers!

‘What’s it worth?’ she had asked, grinning. She didn’t know what came over her. Why didn’t she just help him? How rude of her!

Good-looking men always did something to her though. She didn’t know how to talk to them and often went to her default: passive aggressive flirting, if there was such a thing.

‘What kind of person are you that you won’t help another human being in need?’ he said sadly, but he couldn’t hide the amusement in his voice.

‘The worst kind, actually. That’s why I ended up here. It’s a substitute for hell.’

He laughed the most gorgeous laugh and she crumbled.

‘Oh, go on then, just this once! But you’re buying the drinks at lunchtime,’ she said sternly.

‘Deal. Nice to meet you, Sporty. I’m Brendan, also known as The Wheels,’ Brendan said.

‘Pleasure to meet you, Brendan, but I refuse to call you The Wheels, and if you want a response from me in the future, my name is Mel,’ she said as she moved behind him and gripped the handles.

‘Mel?’ he said, starting to laugh.

‘Shut it if you want a push,’ she said, also laughing. She wondered about his taste of music, but then everyone knew the Spice Girls.

‘Sure Sporty, whatever you say,’ he said.

They had been best mates ever since.

***

Mel vowed to ring Brendan after the helicopter ride.

He had declared a couple of months ago that he had a new girlfriend, a statement that had her sobbing into her jug of Sex on the Beach cocktail, which should have been for the group to share but they had ended up with one each. Naturally, the hangover the following day had been intense. They’d all decided that men weren’t worth it and they were better off alone. Until the next day, when Pippa had snogged the face of a boy from Ireland, who was twelve months into a three-year gap “year”, and decided to extend her stay in India as he had two more months left. It was typical of Pippa to fall in love over a cocktail and decide she was going to change her life based on the fact that the man in front of her was a good snogger.

She had joined them in New Zealand two days later when she discovered he had a girlfriend back home. That night’s man-bashing cocktail of choice had been jugs of Porn Star Martinis.

The girls linked arms and almost skipped down the road. New Zealand was Mel’s favourite place so far. She was planning on extending her stay, maybe even getting some work if she could. Her savings were dwindling fast, and she didn’t know if she would ever get this opportunity again. She couldn’t imagine going home, even though she was constantly being pulled back; her heart and head were in constant negotiation.

Her mobile pinged and she looked at it as they made their way to book their next adrenaline rush. It was Brendan.

You free for a chat later? Have some news x

Her heart sank. What if he and his perfect girlfriend were getting engaged? He seemed smitten with the latest one. Brendan was rarely without someone. The times she had to put her ear plugs in to drown out the sound of his latest one-night stand, jealous, as she wanted to be the one banging the headboard. But he was her landlord, colleague and best friend. She couldn’t bear to jeopardise that for a night of passion.

She tried to put it to one side as the excitement took over and she immersed herself into the experience. If only she hadn’t handed in that letter, her heart said to her head as they boarded the helicopter.

Chapter Two

Four months ago…

The letter felt like it was burning a hole in her bag. She wanted to scream to the whole office, ‘Do you know what I have in my bag? DO YOU?’ But instead, Mel clicked the button to accept her next call.

‘Good morning, you are speaking to Mel. How can I help you today?’ She felt the tightness as her lips curled upwards. The muscles had been strengthened over the last three years. If anyone was caught without their face “on”, Ms Davenport would immediately appear behind them. Mel was sure the woman had invented teleportation purely so she could terrify everyone in the call centre. They were not the number one call centre in the country for nothing.

Mel finished the call, happy with the result, and looked at the flashing neon scoreboard—she was in second place. Brendan was, of course, number one. He’d been watching her with the biggest grin on his face. She glanced across at him. He raised a perfect dark brown bushy eyebrow. Mel grinned back, accepting the challenge. She spent the next hour frantically answering calls. When she glanced up again, she was number one. YES!

Mel looked at Brendan again, perfecting her smug smile. He had his eyes closed and had written “DO IT”, one word on each eyelid, probably using the eyeliner out of her bag, she thought absently. She laughed out loud, which was on the long list of “don’t do it if you value your life”.

Ms Davenport teleported behind her. Damn, she was in trouble now.

‘Something amusing you, Miss Berry?’ Ms Davenport’s garlic breath wafted over her. At least she wouldn’t have to worry about vampires attacking her in the foreseeable future, Mel thought. 

Mel tried not to choke as she answered, ‘No, Ms Davenport, just happy I’ve managed to beat Brendan to the number one spot. Sorry, I got a bit excited. It won’t happen again.’

Ms Davenport looked at Brendan, and he gave her one of his puppy-dog looks that even the formidable Ms Davenport couldn’t resist. No one could. She glowed as he bestowed his attention on her, his full-lipped smile breaking her into submission. Mel groaned inwardly. She really didn’t know why Brendan worked here; he should have been a male model in New York, not working in a call centre in Derby selling mobile phone contracts.

‘Well, I will forgive you this time, Miss Berry. It’s very difficult to beat Brendan—you must have been very lucky with your callers this morning.’

Mel glared at Brendan, daring him to laugh. He ignored her and clicked on to his next caller. She turned around and Ms Davenport had teleported back to her office. Glancing at the time, she realised they had half an hour until lunchtime. She steeled herself to the task of keeping her number one slot. The loser bought the drinks.

Sitting in the pub at lunchtime, Mel ordered Brendan to get her a double gin and lemonade. Strictly speaking, they were not allowed to drink during work hours, but if they tested anyone working in a call centre, they would have to send at least eighty percent of the workforce home. It was the only way to make it through the day. The secret was to make sure you drank alcohol which didn’t smell on your breath, or visit the local shop later, which did a roaring trade in mints. Better safe than sorry. Although no one thought Ms Davenport could smell them over her own garlic breath.

Brendan returned from the bar and passed over her drink. ‘Here you go. Well-deserved! You were on fire this morning. What’s brought this on? Is it because you’ve decided to stay after all?’

‘Oh God. I’ve been trying to pluck up the courage all morning to go into her office. I just couldn’t do it. Just the thought of entering her lair.’ Mel shivered and took a large sip of her gin as Brendan laughed.

‘Just do it, Sporty. You will regret it if you don’t go. It’s a great opportunity,’ Brendan said, raising his pint of Guinness and closing his eyes as he inhaled the oblivion which would stay with him for the rest of the afternoon.

‘I wish I could take you with me. Are you sure you don’t want to come?’ Mel paused while the waitress delivered their bulging tuna baguettes. Her stomach rumbled loudly and Brendan laughed again.

‘I still don’t know how you’re going to manage travelling. What are you going to do if you don’t get fed on time?’ Brendan said, ignoring her request yet again.

Mel shook her head. She couldn’t speak due to the massive mouthful of baguette she’d crammed in. She finally swallowed it and said in despair, ‘Oh Brendan, what am I doing? Why am I doing it? I cannot leave! What was I thinking?’ A few strands of her blonde hair got stuck in the tuna baguette and she went cross-eyed trying to pick them out before taking another bite, not really expecting an answer to the questions she’d asked one too many times since she’d decided to go.

Brendan couldn’t reassure her that she was doing the right thing as he’d already opened his wide, beautiful mouth to accept his own bulging baguette. Also, deep down, he didn’t really want her to leave. But how could he tell her that? They munched away as the other desperate patrons from the office tried to fit in as many drinks as they could before returning to Ms Davenport’s lair. Brendan and Mel were lost in their own thoughts, the silence comfortable between them.

Finally, they left the pub and headed back to the office, or the cylinder of death as they liked to call it. Just before they went in, Brendan grabbed her arm and said, ‘Look Mel, just do it. Go into that garlic-breathing, teleporting demon’s office and hand your notice in. If you don’t, I will never speak to you again, and I won’t let you have the number one spot on the scoreboard ever again.’

‘Cheeky sod, when do you ever let me win?’

He grinned and she slapped him playfully on the arm as he made his way back to his desk.

Mel took a deep breath, gathered her courage, and went back to her desk.

***

 Current day…

Brendan finished work and joined the others at the pub. It would be a while before he needed to ring Mel. He could always rely on her to tell him the truth, but he didn’t know what he wanted her to say. Would she be pleased?

His best mate Dug arrived and he soon forgot about the call.

Chapter Three

‘Hi, it’s me.’

Brendan chuckled and it sounded like home. Mel’s throat tightened, betraying the light, carefree air she was aiming for.

‘Why do you always say that? I know it’s you, your name comes up on my phone as Sporty.’

‘Ha ha. Well, what if I’d been taken by aliens? The only way you would know is if I didn’t tell you my name when we spoke. So there, Mr Clever Clogs.’

‘You have me there, Sporty. How’s it going? The helicopter ride looked amazing!’

‘Brilliant. Although Pippa kept screaming, so it was a bit like starring in a horror movie.’

Brendan laughed again. Mel wondered if his girlfriend made him laugh like she did. As if it conjured her into his mind, he said, ‘About my news.’

Despite her best efforts, her stomach knotted and she gripped the phone tighter.

‘Are you still there?’ he asked.

Mel realised she was nodding, but he couldn’t see her. She hadn’t FaceTimed him this time, she knew he could read her face and she wouldn’t be able to pretend she was delighted that he’d gotten engaged to someone else.

‘Yep, sorry. Go ahead.’

‘It’s about Carmen. I—I think she’s cheating on me.’

Mel managed not to scream with delight and chastised herself. Brendan sounded upset, although he didn’t sound as upset as she thought he would be. But he was her best friend, and she was doing a shit job of looking out for him. It was she who had decided to bugger off travelling and left him behind, she reminded herself. If she really loved him that much, then maybe she would have stayed.

‘That bitch! I am going to kill her! Wait a minute, I’ll book a flight.’

Brendan chuckled again. ‘I can always rely on you to fight my corner. Thanks, Mel.’

‘Seriously, Brendan. What happened to make you think that?’

He sighed. ‘She’s been distant lately and says she is coming over and then cancels at the last minute with no real explanation or excuse.’

‘She works long hours and is studying as well, isn’t she?’ Mel hated to play the devil’s advocate. She wanted to push open the hostel windows, not only to release the smell of other fetid humans but to shout, ‘Brendan is single again, hurrah!’

‘She does, but it’s more than that. Last week she said she couldn’t come around on Friday. I’d had a shit day in the devil’s cylinder and just wanted to have a nice meal and a few drinks and she said she had a headache. Only, later that night, someone tagged a picture of her partying in town.’

‘What a bitch!’ Mel decided she’d given this girl enough sisterhood time. Now it was time to get out the manicured nails.

‘Am I overreacting? I cannot talk to anyone like I can with you. If I told Dug, he would take the piss for months, and my parents have us all but married off already. I wish they hadn’t met her.’

Mel was so tempted to tell him to dump her, but she couldn’t do it.

‘Deffo don’t speak to Dug the Dickhead about it! I think you just need to call her and talk to her, Brendan. It’s better to know than to stress about it.’ Mel felt so grown-up giving him proper impartial advice instead of saying, ‘Yeah, dump the bitch.’

‘You’re right. See, I knew you would know what to do. I’ll call her and ask her to come around. Thanks Mel. What would I do without you?’

‘Die a lonely old man with no mates?’

‘Ha, bloody ha! Anyway, I better go. Got to get back to the hellhole tomorrow and I’m knackered. There is this new guy who’s just started, a snotty little teenager, who is trying to suck up to Ms Davenport and steal my limelight.’

‘Brendan.’

‘Yes?’

‘Don’t ever let anyone put you in a corner.’

‘Sporty.’

‘Yes, Brendan,’ she said with a massive grin on her face which Ms Davenport would have been proud of.

‘I love you. Now sod off and do something exciting so I can live vicariously through you and your amazing photos.’

‘Love you too, buddy. Sod off and beat the little shit. Show him who’s the call centre daddy.’

They both hung up laughing. As Mel flopped back on the bed, she thought again about handing in her notice and wished, once again, she hadn’t done it.

***

Brendan cancelled the call and pushed himself back into his chair. His stomach was churning, and it wasn’t just the pints of Guinness they’d consumed without any dinner. He’d microwaved a meal from the freezer. His mother kept it stocked full and he’d given up on telling her that he was a grown man who liked to cook.

He looked at the phone on the sofa as if it would give him the answers. Why wasn’t there an app that told you what to do with your life? He thought about nipping to the coast and paying a pound to have a go at the “Zoltar will tell your fortune” machine, but he didn’t fancy ending up like Tom Hanks in the movie Big. He didn’t think that would solve his problems.

His feelings had as much to do with Mel’s reaction as the thought of Carmen cheating on him. He really did like Carmen; it was the longest relationship he’d had since his ex pre-Mel. But he didn’t like liars and Carmen was definitely up to something.

He looked at the lasagne congealing on the plate and reclined the chair. He had been doing too much of this. Mel would shout at him in the morning whenever she found him sleeping like this in the chair. Said she didn’t want to look at his ugly mug first thing before she’d had her coffee and cornflakes with a liberal dusting of sugar.

‘Alexa, switch the lights off.’

As the room went dark, he reflected upon the fact that he spent most of his time talking to strangers or robots. Maybe he needed to change his life as well. Be brave like Mel. He would text Carmen in the morning and arrange to see her. He had to tie up some loose ends before the plan he was forming could come to fruition.

Chapter Four

Four months ago…

Brendan was glaring at her. She’d avoided his gaze all day and settled into a Friday afternoon of tedious calls. By the end of the shift, Brendan was back at number one with a clear margin of victory.

She tried to escape before Brendan caught her at the end of the day, but she wasn’t quick enough. It was pointless anyway since she couldn’t avoid him at home. She’d just made it to the bottom of the ramp when she heard him behind her. She tried to ignore him, but his new motorised wheelchair was faster than her.

Turning around, she prepared herself for a telling-off. Brendan stared at her. She stared back. He raised his eyebrows. She raised hers. His mouth twitched at the corner. Mel stuck her tongue out. He stared at her. She crossed her eyes and he couldn’t resist. He started laughing.

‘I don’t believe you, Sporty. Why haven’t you handed your notice in?’

‘I just couldn’t do it! Every time I thought about knocking on her door, my heart started beating out of my chest!’ she said breathlessly with a little whine in her voice so he would feel sorry for her.

‘Come on, Mel! Granted, she’s a horrible woman, but she’s not that bad…well, she is, but you just need to do it, and soon,’ he said.

‘I know. I just keep imagining her making my last month a living hell,’ she replied. But she’d been having doubts about leaving. She’d moved in with Brendan over two years ago when they’d both spilt up with their partners at the same time. She’d needed a place to live and he’d needed a flatmate.

Mel had said it was destiny, as Zoltar’s card had said a move was in her near future. She was happy at the flat. They got on well and the rent was cheap, so she could save for her big travel plans.

‘That’s not really a reason to give up on your plans. When are you going to do it?’ Brendan demanded as she stood there with her arms crossed.

‘Monday. I promise. I will.’ She raised her voice as he raised an eyebrow. ‘Anyone would think you wanted me to leave!’ she said.

‘Don’t try that one, Sporty. You know I don’t want you to leave, but it’s an amazing opportunity and I won’t let you miss it because you’re being a baby.’

Mel pulled her feel-sorry-for-me face.

‘Don’t try it. I am very annoyed with you, Melanie Berry.’

‘Pub?’ she said.

‘It’s your round, and I want a double,’ he said.

‘I am not made of money, you know. You wouldn’t believe the amount my landlord charges me, and he uses me as his sex slave.’

Ms Davenport walked past and looked her up and down in disgust before making her way to her car. Mel knew what was coming. She looked at Brendan, his hands were gripping his knees, his body shaking. It set her off and she fell into his lap, both crying uncontrollably with laughter as Ms Davenport’s mini raced past them. If looks could kill.

After composing themselves, they made their way to the pub. They got drunk after only having a packet of crisps for tea. Brendan had to give Mel a lift on his scooter at the end of the night as her legs had decided not to go in the same direction as her body. Mel was sure this was why he had insisted on getting the top of the range “mad scooter”, as he called it. The pub was only a mile from their home. She staggered off his lap and opened the door, pretty impressed with herself that she only needed three tries to line up the key and the lock. Once inside, she went into the kitchen, poured them two big glasses of water, and went into the living room. Brendan was already in his chair, head nodding, but she shook him awake.

‘Go on, go to bed. I will bring your water in,’ she said this with a noticeable slur to her words. ‘You’re not sleeping in that chair again. We are civilised people; we sleep in beds!’

Brendan nodded and made his way into his room at her insistence. Mel put the water next to the bed and closed the curtains.

‘Right!’ Brendan said. ‘As your landlord, I demand that you strip right now.’

She started giggling. ‘Get lost, Brendan, and go to sleep. I will remind you that you said that in the morning, if I remember. I will report you to the department of landlord harassment department.’

She reached over and kissed him on the forehead, then made her way to her bedroom.

‘You said department twice. I think you’re pissed,’ Brendan called out after her. Moments later, he was snoring.

The flat was amazing; she knew she would miss it when she left. The rooms were so light and airy, it was a minimalist’s dream. Having less furniture made it easier for Brendan to move around, and Mel loved the uncluttered feel. She took off her make-up, brushed her teeth, and fell into bed. She dreamt that Ms Davenport was dancing in one of the shop windows in the red-light district of Amsterdam! That’s what double shots of tequila and a packet of crisps did for you.

On Monday, she braved the wrath of Ms Davenport and handed in her notice.

Chapter Five

Mel laid on the bed, too tired to do anything else. Every bone in her body ached from the days’ activities. Queenstown certainly lived up to its accolades for adventure. Pippa had insisted they go on everything as soon as Bryony had rested long enough. She had filled them in on all the juicy gossip about her “bastard ex”, as she would forever name him in the years to come. Although, Mel had seen her exchange numbers with the white-water rafting instructor, so she figured she wasn’t that heartbroken after all.

Mel heaved herself up and reached into her bag to retrieve her diary. Before opening the notebook, she skimmed her hand lightly over the top. It was beautifully embossed with the tree of life and special because Brendan had bought it as a going-away gift. The present had come with strict instructions that if it wasn’t full when she returned, she would be banished to the cylinder of death for the rest of her life. She clicked on the Parker pen which was a leaving present from work. Mel knew Brendan must have organised the collection because it also included the fancy rucksack she wanted.

No matter how tired she was, or the time of day, she would write in the diary, noting all the details down which she knew she would forget in another six months. She was a third of the way through her trip of a lifetime already. She couldn’t believe time had gone by so quickly. Taking a year off had felt like forever at first and now the pages spoke of past experiences, and she was grateful she’d made the effort. Settled in the creases were pictures which represented each day. The first port of call once settled anywhere in the world was to find where she could print out her photos. She was old-fashioned like that.

Half an hour later, she closed the notebook, got up, and went to luxuriate in a long shower whilst it was still empty in the hostel and she could enjoy some quiet time. They’d arranged to meet a group of lads who were on their last night in New Zealand before jetting off to Russia. They’d met them a few times as they criss-crossed the country. One of the boys, Jack, had a thing for her, and they had indulged in a couple of steamy nights on the beach which hadn’t made it into the diary but were seared in her memory bank for the days when steamy sex would only lead to a broken bone or extra heat cream for the arthritis she was bound to inherit off her mum.

After a lazy shower, she spent longer than usual blow-drying her hair and creating whimsical curls which she knew would fall out as soon as she got out into the heat. She put on a slinky electric blue dress she’d found in the charity shop. The last few months she’d dropped two dress sizes, and Brendan had said she was looking more like Posh than Sporty. Mel had been pleased but then worried he wouldn’t keep calling her by her nickname. Brendan only used a nickname for her, and it made her feel special.

‘Sexy!’ Pippa whistled at her, making Mel jump. She hadn’t heard her come in. ‘Here,’ Pippa said, handing her a cloth, ‘take that rubbish off and let me do your make-up properly.’ Pippa was heading to London after her travels. She wanted to be a make-up artist to the stars, and she certainly had the talent for it.

Mel pulled the dress off as well, so she wouldn’t get any foundation on it, and perched on the bed in her bra and knickers. She thought about how far she had come. Having no siblings and always being more of “one of the lads”, she’d never paid much attention to how she looked, but she’d always felt a bit self-conscious undressing at school for PE lessons. A few weeks into hostel-living soon put pay to any such inhibitions.

After what felt like an eternity, Pippa sat back and said, ‘Ta da! You look like a sexy beast, if I do say so myself.’

‘Beast! Jesus, what have you done to me?’

Pippa laughed and held up the mirror.

‘Wow! Is that me?’

Mel couldn’t believe it. It felt like Pippa had layered on about three inches of make-up, but she barely looked like she had any on. Her cheekbones had appeared from nowhere and her eyes “popped”. She felt like she was ready for the Oscars or a worthy red-carpet event. Pippa had also given her hair the same treatment, undoing everything Mel had done, and this time the wisps of hair fell gently around her face and wouldn’t move due to the liberally applied hairspray.

‘You are smoking hot, baby. Get your dress on, but carefully. Don’t smudge my art piece. Let’s get a pic when we get to the pub. I’m gasping after all that work.’

Mel posed in the bar to the sound of wolf whistles. Later that evening, Paula sent the picture to Brendan. Paula was a hopeless romantic and had made it her mission to hook them up. She’d already planned Mel’s wedding make-up and hair with Pippa, unbeknown to Mel.

***

Brendan checked his phone as he made his way to lunch with Paul and Lia. Paul had been at the call centre since time began and Lia had replaced Mel, so he felt responsible for her. The new snotty lad had already left when Ms Davenport had caught him without his smile one too many times while he answered the phone. The lad had impressively stood his ground for all of the 0.2 seconds it took Ms Davenport to escort him out of the building after an impressive tongue-lashing he would probably need therapy for.

Despite being on holiday, Brendan still met them at the pub next door to the office. Brendan kept meaning to ask the landlord which came first, since the pub and the office had a symbiotic relationship. If the pub ever closed, his company would be unable to get workers, and without the office the pub would close.

‘What will it be?’ It was Brendan’s round again, but his heart just hadn’t been in it lately. He pretended it felt good being able to go home right after, but it just made him feel even more lonely. Who was he kidding, it hadn’t been right since Mel left. Lia was the flavour of the month after claiming the number one spot more than Brendan. Even when they had their challenges for “who bought the drinks”, he never really tried. It wasn’t the same without Mel. The lunchtime and after-work drinking was getting out of control too. He’d hoped his extended holidays—taken because otherwise he would lose them forever—would help, but he still found himself here almost every day.

‘Mate, will you just tell her how you feel? You’re starting to turn my beer sour.’ Murrey, the landlord, settled his pint of Guinness on the side whilst he made the other drinks, letting the head settle before topping it up as any good bar person does.

‘Sorry.’ Brendan knew he was being a miserable sod. Once, a few weeks after Mel had left, he’d gotten so drunk after work that Murrey had to take him home, but not before Brendan had poured his heart out about his feelings for Mel—to his unending embarrassment as he couldn’t exactly remember what he’d said.

‘Don’t worry, I will look after the miserable bastard,’ said Dug, and Brendan turned to look at him. Mel would not be happy about how much time he was spending with Dug either. He was his one mate she didn’t like. He understood why, Dug was a chauvinistic pig, but he’d stuck by Brendan since he was kid and protected him more than once when he struggled with his arthritis at school, and never once missed an appointment to take him to the hospital or therapy—which was probably the only reason Mel allowed him to stay.

Dug grabbed the tray of drinks and placed them on the table as Brendan’s phone buzzed. He opened it with his fingerprint and clicked to open the WhatsApp message from Paula. Too late, he heard a sharp intake of breath from Dug and his large hand reached over and grabbed his phone.

‘Jesus Christ, is that Mel?’ Dug exclaimed, using his fingers to zoom in. Brendan had only had a tiny glimpse as the phone was taken way, but it was enough. She looked so different, stunning, but it was still his Mel.

‘Jesus,’ Dug said again, ‘she is smoking hot. Bet you’re regretting letting her get away now.’ Dug nudged Brendan, nearly making him spill the already half-drunk pint.

Dug turned the phone and showed the picture to Paul and Lia.

‘Jesus Christ,’ Paul echoed, ‘is that really Mel?’

Lia scrutinised the picture. The girl looked nothing like the picture Brendan kept on his desk of them pulling faces at the camera. Mel had been carrying a few extra pounds then, which Lia had inherited along with her job. This Mel looked like a tanned supermodel. Lia vowed not to stay as long as Mel had.

‘Oh look,’ Dug zoomed in, ‘Mel won’t be going home alone. I know a predator when I see one.’

‘Give over fucking about, Dug. Pass me my phone back.’

‘Jesus. Sorry mate, touched a nerve.’

‘Mel’s right about you, you can be a right dickhead sometimes.’

Brendan put his pint down, grabbed the phone and turned his wheelchair expertly through and out of the pub to the sound of protests. He wasn’t in the mood anymore. He made it home, soaked after being caught in the latest hailstorm of the week. Before heading to the wet room, he opened his phone again. Dug was right—Jesus, Mel looked amazing. Although, she always had to him.

Dug was also right about the man in the background. He threw the phone on the sofa as he went to dry off.

Chapter Six

One year ago…

Mel awoke with a start—the doorbell was ringing insistently. She knew it would be Dug, Brendan’s annoying mate. It was just like him to come around at the crack of dawn. She peeled open her left eye and looked at the clock; it was 11 am. She groaned as she swung her legs out of bed, threw on her dressing gown, and went to answer the door.

‘Jesus, Mel, you look like utter shite!’ Dug said as he entered.

‘Morning to you, too. Brendan’s still in his room,’ she said, making her way into the kitchen to stick the kettle on. She needed coffee, buckets of it, and she needed it now.

‘Tea, four sugars, thanks babe,’ Dug’s voice came bellowing from outside Brendan’s room.

‘Cheeky sod,’ she muttered under her breath.

A moment later, she heard Dug’s frantic shout, ‘MEL, call an ambulance, it’s Brendan!’

Mel dropped her cup and it smashed on the floor as she ran to the phone.

‘Only joking. Jesus, have a word with yourself!’ Dug said, grinning in the doorway.

‘You bastard! That’s cruel.’ Mel gripped the phone tightly so she didn’t throw it at him.

‘You should have seen your face. If I didn’t know better, I would think you’ve got a thing for Brendan.’

‘It’s lucky you’re a stupid oaf then, isn’t it!’

Mel poured herself a coffee, added two sugars and milk, and barged past him just as Brendan was coming out of his room. He looked worse than her.

‘What’s all the shouting about? My head’s banging.’        

‘Ask your dickhead of a mate,’ Mel said, slamming the door behind her. Her heart still hadn’t calmed down. She wondered at Dug. How could he joke about something like that? Once they’d had a scare when Brendan had fallen out of bed and banged his head. It was the same night she’d lost her favourite pendant after a night out. The tequila chasers had been a bad idea at 3 am. Luckily, he’d been okay after a check-up. But she’d fallen asleep on his bed waiting for news and his parents had caught her when they’d come to make sure it was all ready for him when he came home.

***

Mel must have fallen asleep after spending half the night puking into the not-so-clean toilet. Pippa had offered to cook and they should have known better than to accept. She was woken up by her mobile buzzing. Wiping the sleep from her eyes, she sat up and looked at the screen.

It was Brendan.

She dumped me…bitch!

That last exclamation made her smile, even though she knew he’d liked Carmen. What a cow, cheating on him like that! It was a good thing she wasn’t home. Checking the time, she realised Brendan must have just finished work.

Bugger the cost. She grabbed her dressing gown, a bottle of water, and went to sit outside. The sun was just starting to rise, and all was quiet as she perched on the swing in the small garden of the hostel and rang him.

‘What happened?’

‘That bitch dumped me,’ Brendan slurred.

Mel sat up, making the swing wobble and nearly dropping the phone. He was drunk. But it was a workday back home and Brendan never took a sickie. Her stomach flipped. She knew he liked this girl, but this seemed a little over the top. They’d only been dating for a few months. Had he really fallen that hard already?

‘Have you been drinking?’

‘’Course I’ve been drinking. I’ve been dumped.’

‘I’m sorry, but it’s Monday there, isn’t it? What about work?’ Mel was never very good with time differences.

‘Screw work and that bitch Davenport. I told her she could teleport to hell for all I care.’ Brendan didn’t add that he was on holiday for three weeks. It was nice having Mel concerned about him.

Mel gasped, ‘You did not say that!’

Brendan sighed, ‘Of course I didn’t. If I lose my job as well, I will be well and truly screwed. Who wants a miserable, crippled loser with no job?’

Mel was worried, this wasn’t like him at all. He was always the positive one, always looked at the best in life and people.

‘I’m hanging up and I’m going to FaceTime you. I need to see what’s going on.’ Mel ended the call. It had been a few days since she’d heard from him and she cursed herself for not checking on him sooner. They’d been trekking for a few days and she’d forgotten to charge her phone. They’d decided they needed a detox after the night out three days ago. The group of lads had left, and Mel was thankful. One of them hadn’t left her alone all night. She blamed Pippa for making her look so glamorous. There had even been a fight over her! But she had to admit, somewhere deep inside, it was quite flattering to have two men fight over her.

She tried to call Brendan back but realised she had no credit yet again and her battery was about to die. She daren’t wake up the girls either.

‘Damn,’ she said out loud. She tried some telepathy to will Brendan to ring her back. She hoped he would realise what had happened, so she used the time to clean her face and get ready to FaceTime him.

Chapter Seven

Brendan looked at his phone as he waited for Mel to ring him back. He had another text from his mum, who he was ignoring. She’d been coming around more and more since Carmen came on the scene.

Brendan suffered his parents to visit. His dad wasn’t so bad, but his mother never left him alone. They’d met Carmen “by accident” when they’d turned up one Sunday morning to an awkward situation for everyone involved. His dad didn’t know where to look when he was faced with a long-limbed Carmen in his son’s shirt and nothing else. It was a close competition for who was more embarrassed. His mother said they were just “dropping by” but she had a sixth sense when it came to women.

Brendan looked at his phone for the millionth time. Mel still hadn’t rung him back, which wasn’t exactly unusual, she was always forgetting to top-up her phone. He bet she’d run out of credit again or her phone had died when she’d gone to FaceTime him. He usually reminded her by transferring some cash into her bank account.

He was about to call her back when the doorbell rang. A moment later, Dug let himself in.

‘Hey dude, got any leftovers?’ Dug went straight into the kitchen as Brendan texted Mel to say he would ring her later and that he was okay. He settled himself in the large recliner and heard two bottle tops being popped and a plate being taken out of the fridge. He thought of what Mel would say. Dug had a nose for food which matched his mother’s nose for women. Without fail, he would turn up after Brendan’s parents had visited for Sunday lunch. His mother insisted on bringing everything to his house and cooking whilst he and his dad found some sport to watch. Without fail, his dad would fall asleep after ten minutes. It was quality father-son time.

‘Here you go, mate.’ Dug handed him a beer and sat on the sofa without taking his shoes off. Brendan nearly said something. If Mel could see him now, she would swipe his legs off as she had done so often. He took a long swig of his drink. It was like she’d died and everything reminded him of her.

Whenever he had been around Carmen, he couldn’t help but compare her to Mel. He couldn’t tell Mel that, of course. He’d tried to think of her as a mate as he had done for the last three years, but the moment the flat door had closed, something had changed.

‘Lovesick again? Jesus, get a grip, will you, man? Ring her and she will be back in a shot. Well, as soon as she has finished sowing her wild oats and decided to settle down.’

‘Get stuffed. She’s in New Zealand. Not as if she’s going to pop back after a phone call.’

As soon as he said it, Brendan knew he’d made a mistake.

‘Wait a bloody minute.’ There was a gleam in Dug’s eye as he sensed some juicy gossip coming his way. He sat up, a piece of chicken wing raised in his hand. Brendan put his nosiness down to Dug having three sisters.

‘Of course, I knew you had the hots for her! Obvious. Even I fancy her now that she’s lost some weight. She looked fit in that photo.’ Dug looked smug, which was never a good look.

‘Like you’re God’s fucking gift to women!’

‘What do you mean? I’m in the prime of my life.’

Dug flexed his arms as he took another bite of chicken. Brendan had to admit his mate was in good shape, but it was his personality he was referring to. It was a wasted conversation they’d had many times before.

‘I think you’ve missed the boat there, mate,’ Dug said after picking up his beer and taking a swig. ‘Should have put your foot down and claimed her while you had the chance.’

Brendan tried to ignore him but Dug wasn’t one to let things go until he’d hammered his point down your throat and you’d agreed with him just to shut him up.

‘You should have just told her how you felt. I told you, didn’t I? I told you what to say.’

Brendan turned to him. ‘“You’re a bit chubby but I like you, will you go out with me?” Yeah, great fucking advice there, mate.’

‘I’m telling you,’ Dug said, taking another swig of his beer, perched on the edge of the sofa, ‘these women want a bloke who is decisive and in control. Someone to dominate them and show them who’s the leader of the pack.’

Brendan shook his head, wondering why they were friends. Deep down, he knew Dug didn’t believe his own crap advice, but even with Brendan he seemed to have to keep up his pretence.

They spent the next few hours watching the highlights of the Olympics. Dug was apparently an expert on every sport and told the Olympic champions exactly what they were doing wrong, in between heading to the kitchen for more food and beer.

Dug’s phone rang and he took it into the hallway. Brendan guessed it was one of sisters. He could hear the earbashing Dug was getting and grinned. Dominant. Yeah right.

‘Right, I’m off. Work tomorrow,’ Dug said coming back in, red-faced.

‘Was that Kelly?’

‘Yeah mate, always nagging about wanting this and that. I told her to bloody wait her turn. Ever since she got knocked up, I’ve been like her personal Uber driver. Back and forth to McDonalds every five minutes!’

‘Very pack leader of you,’ Brendan said under his breath. ‘I might just stay here.’

‘Bastard, I forgot you’re off for three weeks. I wish I’d booked more than today off now. Make sure you save me some of that chicken. I will pop by after work.’

With that, Dug left. Before slamming the door behind him—another thing which annoyed Mel—he shouted, ‘If you don’t make a move soon, mate, someone else will!’

Brendan got back into his chair and went to clear up after Dug and make a brew. He checked his phone but there was still nothing from Mel. It wasn’t often he didn’t have anywhere to be on a weekday, and he intended to make the most of it. Settling himself back in his armchair, he opened his top pocket and took out Mel’s necklace. He placed it carefully on the sofa thinking about the time he’d fallen out of bed trying to reach for it on the bedroom floor. He knew he should have given it back, but as time went by, it was just too awkward to explain why he had it and he liked carrying around something of Mel’s. He could easily imagine what Dug would say. Before long the beer worked its magic and he fell asleep in his chair.

Chapter Eight 

Mel laid back on the beach and let the sun warm her chilled bones. They’d talked her into dawn surfing. It had been exciting until she got in the water; even with the wetsuit on, she felt the chill all over. It wasn’t her thing and she’d been pleased when one of the others had said they’d had enough, and they left together. The beach, thankfully, had a takeaway hut, and after they’d changed, they tucked into a huge breakfast.

When she finally charged her phone and topped it up with credit, she tried to ring Brendan, but he didn’t answer. She saw the text from him saying he was okay and not to worry, but she knew he must be feeling bad. No one liked being dumped. She decided to try him again later if she could get her phone back from Paula, who had decided she was looking at it too much and taken it away.

Mel rubbed her tummy before turning over. She shouldn’t have had that extra hash brown and toast, but all the same a feeling of happiness washed over her. This beat working in the cylinder of death, it was just a shame Brendan wasn’t here. The girls had banned her from talking about him and she couldn’t really blame them. It was the reason Paula had taken her mobile off her, promising to let her know if there was anything urgent. Mel mused that it was actually quite freeing not having to check her mobile every two seconds. She’d finally managed to download and edit some of the photos on her iPad which she’d taken for an article she was writing. She’d seen a competition in the Travel Photography magazine that required a photo and write-up submission and thought, Why not? She wasn’t the best writer in the world but even she could see her pictures were something special. What did she have to lose?

‘Hey, how you doing?’ A voice came from above her.

Mel put her hand up to block out the sun, squinting at the dark figure above her despite her large sunglasses which Pippa had made her buy, insisting she looked like a movie star in them.

‘I’ve been watching you.’ The person cleared their throat. ‘Sorry, that came out wrong. Not in a creepy, I’m-a-stalker, spray-me-with-pepper-spray kind of way.’

Mel smiled, conscious that her backside was on show for the world. Well, it was Bondi beach. She supposed she was actually well covered-up compared to most. But how could she turn over and still retain some mystery about what was underneath?

‘Let me start again. I’m a friend of Paula’s and I’ve seen your Instagram feed. Paula said you want to get into photography professionally. I’m the editor of a new magazine. We’re looking for freelance photographers and I wondered if we could have a chat about it. Sorry, it’s not really the appropriate way to go about things but Paula suggested you wouldn’t mind me interrupting your tanning time.’

Mel’s heart was fluttering. ‘No, I don’t mind at all.’ But she really didn’t want to try and turn over, so she said quickly, ‘Erm, how about I meet you this afternoon? Then I can get changed and bring along some of my work for you to look at.’

She was surprised by how calm and direct she sounded. This could be her big break, the job she’s always wanted. The Brendan voice in her head said, ‘What about me?’ What would their chances be if she went gallivanting all over the world to take pictures? He’d never expressed an interest in travel, and it wasn’t just the hassle of his wheelchair. He loved home.

She put it to one side for the time being, channelling the lecture she would get from the girls.

‘Brilliant. How about the café across the road, about 3 pm?’

‘Great, see you there…Sorry, I don’t know your name.’

‘Sorry, I should have started with that. I’m Wolf.’

‘Did you say Wolf?’

He grinned. He had a nice smile, not as nice a Brendan’s, but it was charming. Naturally, he had a great tan which seemed to highlight his deep brown eyes now that he’d taken his glasses off. His nose was slightly set to one side, like maybe it had been broken at some point, but it added an air of mystery about him.

‘I know. My full given name is Wolverine, would you believe? Wolf doesn’t attract quite as much ribbing as that. You should see the look I get when I go through airport security!’

‘It’s unusual, I will give you that,’ Mel said, liking him instantly. ‘I’m Mel, just in case Paula forgot my name. She has a habit of that.’

‘I know what you mean. She called you Sporty for some reason. Fab, see you at 3 pm then. Enjoy the rest of your morning.’

‘Thanks. See you then.’ Mel set a mental reminder to have a word with Paula.

Wolf walked off the beach and made his way towards the cafe, laptop bag swinging over his back. He was clearly going to work from the café. What a different prospect to her work back at home. She had always felt it was the freedom as much as the photography which appealed to her.

Once he was out of sight, she hastily gathered up all her things and stuffed them into her bag. As she stood up and threw her light dress over her head, she saw the others walking towards her.

‘Hey, did I just see Wolf with you?’ asked Paula.

‘Yes! Thanks for sending him over. I’ve got a meeting with him at 3 pm to talk about my work.’

The girls all screeched for a few minutes before calming themselves down.

‘My brother met Wolf when he was travelling and he visited us a few times in the UK. I didn’t know he’d moved into publishing and naturally thought of you when I found out,’ Paula explained.

Mel hugged Paula, unable to believe her luck. It was always about who you knew, and this could be the foot in the door she needed.

‘Right, I’m off to the apartment to get myself changed and sort some of my work to show him.’

‘Good luck. We’re off to get a massive breakfast, we’re all starving. We will probably head back after, but we are meeting at the beach at about five for a BBQ. Head over when you’re finished?’ Pippa asked.

‘Will do, thanks. Wish me luck.’

The girls all bellowed good luck and Mel ran off laughing across the sand. She never did make it to the BBQ.

***

‘Passenger Brendan Kendrick, please come forward to gate 5 for priority boarding.’

Brendan turned the airport wheelchair and headed for the gate. He hated this part, everyone staring at him as he made his way over to the gate. He supposed there was no other way, he just couldn’t board with the other passengers. They’d put his wheelchair in the hold and the airport one was uncomfortable and squeaky. One of the reasons he hated to travel.

He settled himself into his chair at the front of the plane. There was plenty of space for the wheelchair he would use whilst on board and he was glad he’d decided to throw caution and cash to the wind and fly business class, mainly out of anxiety about spending so long on a plane. But, so far, despite the horror stories he’d heard, the staff had been great and even waited until they were in the business lounge before they made him swap his wheelchair for another. He’d read some shocking experiences about airlines. Maybe he’d avoided travel for no reason. He told everyone he preferred to stay at home, which to some extent he did, but he couldn’t be bothered with the staring and tutting when it took longer for him to settle in if they boarded him last.

The air stewardess brought him a double whiskey at his request. He imagined he and Mel would have a disclaimer about free booze being included if they flew regularly. He closed his eyes and shut out the world, questioning again what he was doing. It had been a spur of the moment thing. He’d had two crap nights’ sleep and then, without thinking about it too much, had rung up the airline and booked a flight.

He had to know if Mel felt the same.

He thought she’d sounded happy about the breakup. It was a long way to go to prove a theory right or wrong, but what did he have to lose? Maybe it was a massive mistake and he’d read the situation wrong, maybe he would ruin their friendship by declaring his undying love to her on the other side of the world. Doubts niggled at him as he booked the flight. What if she’d left to get away from him? What if she’d met someone else?

The safety briefing done, he put on his headphones and selected a film. He needed to switch his brain off and stop worrying. He was on the plane to New Zealand now and that was that. He intended to ring one of her friends when he arrived. Paula had been texting him saying Mel had been banned from her phone. She hadn’t said why.

He was soon fast asleep, unaware that Mel had already boarded her flight to Sydney.

Chapter Nine

Mel woke up with a clearer head than she deserved. It had been an amazing night. She and Wolf had hit it off instantly and he was really interested in her work. She was glad she hadn’t had much time to think about it or else she would have deleted her work and started all over again. She’d chosen the three best pieces and put them in a folder she’d hastily bought from a shop when she’d realised she had nothing presentable to put her photos in. The meeting had gone better than expected and he’d offered her a job on the spot. She could have danced! Well, they did.

She felt the weight on the bed shift as Paula, Pippa and Bryony crowded onto her bed.

‘Spill. Every. Detail,’ said Paula.

‘Can a girl have a coffee before she gets interrogated?’

‘What do you think this is? You’re not being grilled by the FBI. This is much worse. Now spill, and then we might get you a coffee and a bagel even though it’s nearly lunchtime.’ Bryony held up a finger. ‘But only if you tell us everything.’

Mel knew she had no other choice. She pulled herself up and leaned against the soft headboard. It was a luxury having a nice flat rather than some of the holes they had been staying in. The peace and quiet was the biggest luxury though. No trying to sleep to the sound of snoring, farting, giggling and drunken rows. It was bliss.

She felt bad about not telling Brendan where she was because he’d always wanted to visit Sydney. She would tell him soon, but only once Pippa felt her ex was far enough away not to follow them again. He’d shown up in New Zealand and she’d convinced them all to move on. It turned out she had been seeing Irish boy three years ago when she was still in the UK. She’d left him then too after she’d found out he was cheating on her, but didn’t want to confess it to them because she thought they would judge her. And judge her they did.

Paula knew someone in Sydney with a flat they could have for free. Mel thought it was daft, though. Pippa’s ex could get on a plane to wherever they went, yet here they were, in Sydney.

‘Okay, so we had the business meeting which went really well,’ Mel said, unable to keep the infectious excitement from her voice.

It was too much screaming than she could take before food, and she somehow managed to fill them in on the freelance job that Wolf had offered her. It wasn’t enough to live off of, but if she proved herself and made a name, who knew where it would lead. She still had months of travelling left, and her photographs and accompanying articles would be all about a woman travelling alone and meeting new people. Something which was repeated by millions every year, but, apparently, she had a unique and funny way of presenting her journey and her photographs were “bloody” amazing—his words. It had made her glow with pride.

‘After we sealed the deal, he offered to take me out for dinner to celebrate.’

‘I bet he did,’ Bryony said pointedly.

‘In a “professional capacity”,’ Pippa said, making air quotes.

‘He did! The meal was out of this world, especially when you’ve been living on pot noodles.’

‘Well, if you had come last night, you could have enjoyed an amazing BBQ on the beach.’

‘Darling, he took me to Aria,’ Mel said, feeling the glow as the girls’ eyes widened at the mention of the fancy restaurant.

‘Ohhh, get you! I hope he paid!’ Paula said.

‘Of course, he did. Expenses, darling.’

Paula picked up a cushion and pelted her with it. ‘Stop being such a snob, darling.’

They all giggled and then groaned, all suffering from last night’s indulgences. Mel wondered if her liver would survive this trip. She hadn’t intended to drink herself into a coma most nights.

‘Okay, spill the rest. What happened after the meal?’ Paula asked, leaning against the wall, her short, tanned legs peppered with bruises from the surfing.

‘We went for a couple of cocktails and met up with a few other people from the magazine, and then it all gets a little blurry from there.’

‘Okay, but what about the details?’

‘What details?’ Mel looked confused. She’d partied with them and then a couple of them had seen her back to the flat and that had been it. Although, she felt like there was a small gap in her memory. Had they really walked her back? Now that she thought about it, she couldn’t really remember. She’d refused to mix her drinks though, at least that was something. She definitely remembered flirting with a very cute guy and she thought she might have even promised to see him again. He had smelt amazing. His aftershave had reminded her of Brendan. He had the standard surfer’s body with a clean-shaven head. Mel thought she may have even rubbed it!

‘Why are you looking at me like that?’ she asked again.

Pippa got up, picked up a mirror off the table and held it up for her. ‘If you say nothing happened, what is that?’

It took a few minutes for her eyes to focus and she gasped. There was a large love bite on her neck! The others giggled uncontrollably. As Mel scrambled to get up and check it in the bathroom mirror, Paula’s phone vibrated on the bed.

***

Brendan laid on the bed, shattered after the journey. Thankfully, he’d opted for a two-night stay in Singapore, anticipating that he would be tired. The hotel staff had gone out of their way to help him, but he needed more space to move around and do his exercises. He’d already pre-booked some physio for his two-day stay, knowing it would help him for the next leg of the journey. The aches and pains in his joints were taking their toll. He’d done everything he could to minimise them. His physio at home had been worried he’d push himself too far. But he was here. He had to behere.

There as a knock on the door and room service, as efficient as ever, quietly let themselves in and ran him a bath. It was the most well-equipped “disabled” room he’d ever stayed in. Brendan hated that word. He was capable of doing many things—including walking, he had to remind people—just not for long. The pain and swelling did not allow him much freedom. Before the accident, he’d avoided going to the doctors for years, trying to hide how much the pain held him back. The accident had been sort of a blessing. He’d been in pain for so long and thought it was just his active lifestyle until the tests told him overwise.

Ten minutes later, the jacuzzi bath was ready and he lowered himself in, grateful for the powerful jets.

After his bath, he made his way up to the restaurant to enjoy the views of the city and have a late lunch/brunch/dinner. He’d lost track of time but his appetite had kicked in and he was ravenous. He was unlikely to venture out of the hotel, but the views from the top were breathtaking and it was enough sightseeing to satisfy him. The fireworks and light show at the Garden by the Bay hotel were stunning. With the small fortune they shelled out for the rooms, he supposed the guests deserved an uninterrupted view. He didn’t even dare calculate how many days he would have to work to pay for two nights in this luxury hotel.

After he’d finished his meal, he took out his phone. He couldn’t wait any longer. He typed out and deleted the message multiple times before deciding to sod it and pressed send. What did he have to lose other than his self-respect and best friend?

Hi, this is Brendan, Mel’s friend. I want to surprise her and I’m heading to New Zealand. Do you think you could arrange to get her to the airport without letting it on? Thanks, Brendan.

He didn’t have to wait long before he got a text back. He stared out of the window as the fireworks lit up the sky. He couldn’t believe what he was reading.

Mel was in Sydney!

Chapter Ten

‘Oh, sodding hell,’ Paula said, not quiet enough. They all looked up at her and said, ‘What?’

She waved her hand, an annoying trait you were familiar with when you’d lived with her for a while. It meant everything: from go away, I’m busy, whatever, to come on, get me a drink…the list went on and it was up to you to interpret as you saw fit.

Oblivious to this, Mel had escaped the inquisition and locked the bathroom door behind her. She twisted her neck and looked at it carefully. Shit. What had she done? She hoped something hadn’t happened with Wolf. She rubbed her finger along the hickey and her reflection frowned. She rubbed again.

It was bloody make-up.

‘Bitches!’ she shouted from the bathroom.

Loud giggling sounded from behind the door.

‘Bitches!’ she shouted again, louder and to more laughter. Mel couldn’t help but smile, the buggers had pranked her good and proper.

This had to be Pippa’s doing. She would get her back one day when she was a famous make-up artist to the stars and showcasing her work in top photography magazines. A tell-all story of a celebrity artist with pictures of her puking. It would be great payback for making her think she’d done something terrible with her new boss. He’d been nothing but nice and professional and she really liked the other members on the team.

She couldn’t believe this was happening to her. She’d landed her perfect job. She did a little dance and decided she must ring Brendan. She had to tell him her good news. Sod Pippa, she would put her pictures back on social media. If Pippa’s weird ex turned up, it would be delicious payback!

She decided to take a long shower and not deign them with her presence as punishment. The hot water felt great. She was still shocked when she looked in the mirror; the sunshine and active lifestyle, not to mention trying to save money, meant she was lighter now than she had ever been, and the yoga sessions Bryony insisted on each day meant she was also toned for the very first time in her life.

Finally, she pulled the towel tighter and secured her wet hair in another towel before opening the door. Her bedroom was worryingly empty. Maybe they were making her breakfast to apologise for their trickery.

Back in her bedroom, she luxuriated in having her own precious space for a while. After months on the road, she realised this was perhaps the first time she’d spent time in her own room since living with Brendan. Often on Sundays, when they had bad hangovers, Mel would make the drinks and warm up some croissants whilst he set up a Netflix series. She would join him in his room and they would binge watch until about 2 pm, at which point they would decide they really should do something with their last hours of freedom and would agree to get ready and head to a museum or exhibition. They would usually make it as far as their local pub before opting for an early Sunday dinner, declaring they were tired, and it was back to the flat with a takeaway pudding for more binge-watching. She wished she’d appreciated those times more, but the cylinder of death was always waiting for them. Funny, she thought, she almost felt a longing to see Ms Davenport again.

As she finished drying her hair, she realised she was suspiciously alone. The girls rarely left each other’s sides, and she was sure they were up to something. She moved quietly into the hallway and tiptoed into the front room, which was also empty. Maybe they were in the kitchen making her breakfast? She moved as quietly as she could and jumped into the kitchen, screaming to scare them, but her bare feet landed in an empty room. Their bedrooms and the garden were empty too. She frowned; they wouldn’t have gone out without her, would they?

She heard her phone ping with a message and went back into her bedroom. She found it under her pillow. Picking up her phone, she read the message from Paula.

You can have your phone back now, but no messaging anyone abroad, or else! Stuff to do. Be back later. xx

Sod her, Mel thought, and decided to ring Brendan. She hadn’t heard anything from him in days. Paula had promised to tell her if anything serious happened. She quickly checked her phone, but other than her Instagram account going wild with her pictures, there was nothing from Brendan. She sat heavily on the bed, thinking about it. It was usually her checking on him. How many times had he contacted her first? Maybe she was clinging on to home but there was nothing for her there. Maybe he’d gotten back together with Carmen. Her heart sank and she acknowledged that maybe Paula had a point about her emotions being affected too much by home and that she should live in the moment instead.

She nearly dropped her phone when it vibrated.

Don’t forget. Manly beach, 4 pm. See you there. Jamila. X

She’d almost forgotten about the late afternoon beach party Jamila had mentioned last night. Mel had spoken to her for hours as Jamila had been freelancing for years and had taken Mel under her wing straight away. She was the one who had introduced her to the cute guy, Ross. It was nearly 3 pm. Where had the day gone? Her stomach rumbled and it made her think of Brendan. She really had to stop. She dried her hair, got changed and ate some toast in the garden as she made up her mind.

‘Sod it,’ she said out loud. She was going to sneak out and head to the beach and see what fate had in store for her. Enough of pining after her life in the UK, it was time to enjoy herself here and now. Maybe she’d even see the cute guy from last night again.

She changed into shorts and a crop top with the obligatory bikini underneath. She put some sun cream and a towel into her beach bag and headed out, feeling freer than she had in a long time.

‘Shit,’ Paula said two hours later when they returned and read her note on the large fridge.

Chapter Eleven

Brendan wasn’t looking forward to the next flight. His body was feeling the strain now and he wondered what he’d been thinking. He dreaded to think what he would have been like if the hotel hadn’t looked after him so well. The extra massages and hot tubs had made it all bearable. Even so, he was shattered, the jetlag finally kicking in.

His stomach twisted as he waited to board his flight. Thank God he’d decided to text Paula before he left Singapore. He couldn’t imagine arriving in New Zealand only to find they’d gone to Sydney. Paula had said it was Pippa’s fault and explained all about her terrible ex. He couldn’t help but like these girls, although he was always getting confused between Pippa and Paula.

When he’d sent the text, they’d left Mel in the apartment and run to the nearest coffee shop to FaceTime him. Their excitement level was contagious. Some of the worry of what he was doing vanished when they told him that Mel never stopped talking about him.

He’d made the mistake of chatting with them while in the lobby of the hotel and there was no quieting Mel’s friends, he soon found to his embarrassment. The whole lobby heard their conversation and a few people even came over and congratulated him. He found himself blushing, but also deliriously happy. He couldn’t believe he was doing this. The hotel staff helped him rearrange his flight and arranged for a car to take him to the airport. They even gave him complimentary tickets to stay on his return journey with Mel. It seemed they were the talk of the hotel as he left.

Paula, Bryony and Pippa had reassured him they would get Mel to the airport. For some reason, it felt right that they meet there. He couldn’t believe they were in Sydney, a place he’d always wanted to visit. His dad had proposed to his mum at the airport and he’d always wanted to see it and, of course, the amazing city itself. He’d seen the grainy photographs on the wall enough times in his family home, his dad always bringing up how romantic it was after he’d had a few whiskies as his mother rolled her eyes, but with a smile on her face. His doubting mind told him he could turn around and get right back on a flight if she told him to sod off.

His phone rang. Glancing at the screen, his heart stopped. Carmen. He now wished he hadn’t added that international package to his phone.

‘Hi Brendan. Are you okay?’ Carmen asked when he picked up.

‘Hi. Yes. You?’

Brendan now felt awkward talking to her. Even though she had been cheating on him, he still felt bad about his own behaviour. He’d seen her frown a few times when he said “me and Mel”, which happened often. He supposed no one wanted their partner to talk about another woman. After all, he’d felt his blood boil when he’d seen pictures of Mel on nights out and other men hanging about her, as Dug had pointed out.

‘I just saw Dug,’ said Carmen.

‘Oh yeah? He okay?’

‘Yes. But I’m not really calling about him. I came to see you and he said you’re in India?’

Brendan rolled his eyes. Dug never listened.

‘Singapore actually, en route. Well, I was flying to New Zealand but now I’m going to Sydney.’

‘To be with Mel?’ Carmen always had been direct.

‘Yes…sorry.’ He wasn’t sure why he felt the need to say sorry. She’d been the one cheating on him.

‘Well, there were always three people in our relationship, Brendan. I did try to tell you. If only you’d listened, I wouldn’t have had to look elsewhere. I’m not the kind of person who likes to play second fiddle to anyone,’ she added, making her point.

Brendan was tempted to argue his corner and say that he hadn’t slept with Mel, so technically he’d never cheated on Carmen, but what would be the point? She didn’t seem to expect a reply as she continued, ‘I came to see you to apologise for how it ended and maybe…well, it doesn’t matter now. I suppose I can be magnanimous and say good luck.’

‘Thanks. I’m sorry it didn’t work out for us. If it helps, I didn’t really realise my feelings until now.’

‘Well, I don’t think that’s true. Maybe you didn’t acknowledge them, but she was never far away.’ She paused. ‘You used to call out her name sometimes in the night, you know? I also found her necklace in your hand one night when you fell asleep on the sofa.’

Brendan wished a hole would open up and drag him into the pits of hell, where he deserved to spend the rest of eternity. It was no wonder she had sought the arms of someone else.

Before he could apologise again, she said quickly, ‘Don’t say anything. I’m not trying to justify my behaviour. I just wanted you to know. Well, I guess this is goodbye, Brendan.’

She hung up before he had a chance to say anything else. That chapter was completely closed now.

He headed to the hotel reception desk to check out.

He settled into the flight and tried not to think about landing in Sydney or the fact that he would have to take these long flights once more. Maybe he would stay in Sydney for a few weeks, even if Mel rejected him, just to give his body a chance to recover before he headed home and back to his flat and the cylinder of death. He would never admit it to Mel, but he loved his job. It was easy, he liked the people he worked with, and he loved talking to new people. He knew people looked down on his job, especially his mother. She told everyone he was in communications. Couldn’t quite bring herself to say the dirty words “call centre”. But what would the world be like without mobile phones? Brendan saw them as romantic. It wasn’t just a mobile phone contract like most saw it, just another task to tick off their to-do list. What would modern life really be like without a mobile?

He smiled to himself, thinking what Dug would say if he voiced his thoughts. He would disagree, saying life was better without them, far more romantic if he was pushed into saying it whilst drunk, but that was only because women never called him back. Somehow, Brendan couldn’t imagine Dug writing a letter to a woman and declaring his undying love. But, deep down, Brendan knew Dug had a romantic side. He’d voiced this to Mel once and she’d snorted and told him to open his eyes.    

Dug who was right now “looking after” his flat. Dug shared a flat with four other men, so Brendan knew he would enjoy the time alone. Brendan had even ordered food and beer for him. He just hoped Dug slept in his room and not Mel’s; she would be livid otherwise. Maybe soon, that would be a spare room and they would share his? For the thousandth time, he wondered if this was a good idea. Their friendship could be ruined. Could he really give up what they had? The Sundays of lazing in bed with hangovers? The easy way they had with each other?

He woke up to the announcement that they would land in thirty minutes. He was stiff as he shifted his body, the hours of being in one position taking their toll. He vowed never to fly again after this. He would have to cruise the world instead. As he waited for his wheelchair to be brought to him, he switched on his phone and it finally connected. With a groan he pulled himself upright and stared at the text from Paula.

We cannot find Mel.

Chapter Twelve

Paula sprinted around the beach but there was no sign of the beach party. Mel had definitely said it was here. It wasn’t like her to just leave without them. Paula felt a bit bad for winding her up, but Mel could normally take a joke. What if she’d decided to make it come true and had gone to find that man she had said was interested in her? Paula could not let that happen. A hopeless romantic, she’d teased Mel because she was jealous about the way Mel and Brendan were. Despite never meeting Brendan in person, she could see Mel was hopelessly in love. It was the old cliché: she hadn’t admitted it to herself until she had left him behind.

Paula spotted some surfers and ran over to them, as Pippa and Bryony caught up with her. They’d also had no luck in finding out where the party was.

‘Do you know where the party is?’ Paula asked the surfers.

‘Why? You offering to buy us a drink?’ one guy said. Paula gave them her best “don’t mess with me” look, the one she saved specially for her local doctor’s receptionist, her brother and annoying people. Pippa sniggered and Bryony elbowed her.

‘It’s an emergency. I need to find someone.’

‘Well, I am a lifeguard so perhaps I can help,’ said the one who looked very much like Ryan Reynolds. He pointed to his name badge: Noah.

‘You can help by telling me where the party is. This is a time sensitive situation,’ Paula said abruptly. The lifeguard was cute, but now was not the time.

‘I will show you where the party is but only if you promise to have a drink with me and tell me all about these sensitive things.’ He raised an eyebrow.

Paula felt flustered and felt her cheeks redden. She never blushed! She could sense the gleaming white grins of Pippa and Bryony behind her.

‘Okay, okay, whatever, this is really urgent. If we don’t find Mel, then dreams will not come true, and the whole world, destiny, everything will be a crock of shit.’

Paula even shocked herself, she didn’t know where that came from.

The lifeguard frowned. ‘You should have said it was that serious. They’ve taken the party elsewhere. I’m afraid it’s my fault. Some idiots decided to start a fire on the beach instead of using one of the firepits. They were lucky not to get fined. One of them knew someone with a boat, well, that’s what they said as they left when we gave them warnings.’

‘Damn it. They could be anywhere,’ Paula said, feeling defeated.

‘Not anywhere, they probably went to Shark Island,’ the other lifeguard chimed in.

Paula looked towards the island she’d spent many a long day picnicking on when she’d visited her friend a few years ago and frowned. ‘Shit. I need to get my friend to the airport. The love of her life is flying in, and she knows nothing about it. We have to save her before she makes a big mistake.’

‘Come on, we’ve got a jet ski, I’ll take you over,’ said Noah.

‘Go on,’ Pippa said to Paula, ‘Bryony and I will go to the airport and meet Brendan. You go and find Mel.’

Paula didn’t need to be told twice. It felt like she was playing the best supporting actress in a film. She was going to be the best wing woman and make sure her girl got her man, and hopefully get her own man in the process.

***

The plans had changed as they usually did when it came to parties, Mel found out. No sooner had they got the BBQ going than the “misery police” had turned up and everyone had run away so they wouldn’t get fined. It had been quite exciting, running away, and she and Jamila had giggled like schoolgirls.

A few minutes later, Jamila stopped as her phone rang and Mel sat on a bench, catching her breath.

‘Come on,’ Jamila said after a short conversation, holding out her hand. ‘We are moving the party to Shark Island. Last one there makes the burgers!’

Laughing, they ran to get a taxi boat.

Thankfully, they weren’t the last ones, and Mel spent a very pleasant few hours enjoying the company of Ross. He was very attentive and she felt the attraction between them. The evening started to turn cooler, and she wished she’d brought something warmer to cover up. Goosebumps covered her arms and she shivered. She looked over as another boat arrived, everyone getting wind of the party. She did a double take as someone got off the boat; he was a double of Brendan.

‘So, do you fancy joining me on my boat?’ she heard Ross ask.

Mel turned to Ross. She looked at the lookalike and then back at Ross, and nodded.

***

Paula held on tight, she could feel Noah’s taut muscles through his thin shirt. She leaned against him, breathing in his smell. She thought she was probably getting carried away with the romance of the day. He reached behind and touched her leg, and an electric shock went through her as he pointed to all the boats on Shark Island.

Noah pulled in and Paula climbed off and ran towards the group. She quickly found Wolf; he was the tallest of them all. After speaking to him for a few moments, she ran back to Noah.

‘What’s happening?’ he asked.

‘She’s buggered off with Ross on his boat!’

‘Oh shit! What now?’

‘We have to find her before she makes a stupid mistake.’

‘Get on. What’s the name of the boat?’

‘Oh, my God, thank you, Noah. It’s the Sunset Desire.’

‘I know it. Come on.’

***

Pippa and Bryony held up the piece of cardboard Pippa had ripped off a box of beer in the boot of her car. Bryony had taken one of Pippa’s best lipsticks and written Brendan’s name on it, much to Pippa’s disgust; she never let anyone touch her make-up.

‘I’ve always wanted to do this,’ Pippa said, almost squealing with excitement.

‘I feel like I’m going to hyperventilate, I’m so excited. It’s like being in a movie!’

‘Here they come, his flight’s passengers are coming through.’

Pippa took out her phone as it rang. ‘Oh shit,’ she said after a brief conversation.

‘What?’ Bryony asked, scanning the crowd for Brendan.

‘Mel wasn’t there. She’s gone off with someone else.’

‘Oh shit! Look, there’s Brendan!’

‘Say nothing. Paula is on it. We’ve got to take him back to the flat.’

***

Paula and Noah finally found the boat and moored next to it. Paula knew Noah had taken the long route despite her urgency, but it made her heart flutter. She was acting more like Pippa every day! The music was blaring, and it took a while to find anyone that knew Mel. It was no good if they split up to look for her, as Noah didn’t know what Mel looked like, so they stuck together. Paula enjoyed the approving looks they received as they walked through the crowd. This boat was well-known for its parties and Paula was annoyed with herself that she hadn’t tried here first. She’d wasted precious time. She’d texted the girls to find out what was happening but heard nothing back. Paula was panicking as she made her way through the crowds, annoyed with all the drunk people. What if she found Mel and she was snogging Ross’ face off! Poor Brendan, coming all this way. She had to find her.

Finally, they found Ross and discovered that Mel had left. Apparently, she’d had a sudden headache and they’d dropped her off before heading out.

‘Where to now?’ Noah asked.

Paula grinned at him. He’d earned some brownie points today.

‘She must have gone back to the flat. Can you drop me off at the dock?’

‘I can do better than that. My moped is at the harbour. No way am I missing the end of this.’

She climbed back on the jet ski and kissed him hard to cheers from the boat. They spun around and headed back to the harbour. Paula rang Pippa as Noah went to put the jet ski away and get his moped, and found out that they were en route to the flat with Brendan. At least he’d arrived, that was something.

Paula decided it was much more stressful living a romance than reading one.

***

Paula reached the flat just as Pippa pulled up in her car. She’d tried ringing Mel, but her phone was switched off. She should never have taken her phone off her; she’d gotten too used to not using it and must have forgotten to charge it again.

Paula thought Brendan was even better looking in real life, despite looking tired. He winced slightly as he got into his wheelchair, and Noah ran over to hold it steady as he got out of the car. In that moment, Paula decided Noah was a keeper and that she was turning more like Pippa, falling in love only after five minutes.

‘Cheers, mate,’ said Brendan.

‘No worries. You’re the dude who’s about to get his woman. We’ve been racing all over Sydney looking for her.’

Paula nudged him as she walked over to them. She didn’t want Noah to let the cat out of the bag that they couldn’t find her, although it was a little late for that.

‘Nice to finally meet you.’ Paula leaned in and hugged Brendan. He hugged her back, and she breathed in. He smelled nice. It was one of the most attractive things about a man as far as Paula was concerned. Noah smelled gorgeous.

‘Is Mel here?’ Brendan asked.

‘Erm, yes. She’s in the flat. Sorry we couldn’t get her to the airport. Miscommunication.’ Paula crossed her fingers, hoping it was true.

‘Brendan?’

Chapter Thirteen

They all turned to see Mel staring from the other side of the road. Everyone froze, waiting to see what would happen.

‘Erm, anyone fancy a nightcap?’ Paula asked, breaking the silence. With backward glances at the scene behind them, Pippa, Bryony and Noah made their way inside, pushed by Paula from behind.

‘Hi you,’ Brendan said, immediately realising how lame he sounded.

‘Hi. You’re here?’

Mel knew her jaw had dropped open and she was probably showing off a not-so-cute double chin at this impossible and important moment. (She was always telling the girls to raise their chins when she was taking their photos.) She couldn’t believe he was here. Her Brendan!

Brendan looked down at himself. ‘Yep, it’s me. Contrary to Dug’s imagination, he’s not been able to work out the complicated business of teleportation. Serious matters like that are left to the Ms Davenports of the world.’

Mel giggled, ‘I cannot believe you’re here.’

Brendan matched her grin. ‘Me neither! We are in Sydney!’

Silence stretched out ahead of them as awkwardness kicked in.

Brendan channelled his inner Dug and finally said, ‘Look, I know it’s probably going to be hard. You’ve got your new job and I’m not exactly a fan of travelling, and I don’t want you to ruin your life because of me or be stuck in Derby forever working at a crap call centre, spending your lunchtimes eating tuna baguettes and getting fat.’ Brendan took a deep breath. ‘But I bloody love you, and if you love someone you just have to say it and work out all the problems after, right?’

‘Brendan, is that your way of asking me out, because it sounds like Dug wrote that speech. And how do you know about my new job?’

Inside, Mel’s stomach was doing cartwheels. Brendan had come all the way for her.

She looked up and saw everyone leaning out of the window. It was “too hot” to have the windows closed and they were listening to every word. They ducked down when she spotted them, laughing hysterically.

‘Pippa told me, and yes, it is. Sorry, crap, isn’t it?’ Brendan looked so apologetic, Mel made a choking sound, her emotions bubbling over, and before she even told her legs to move, she was on his lap. She stared into his eyes.

‘Are you sure, Brendan? Sure that I’m what you want?’

‘Yes. But what about everything I said? What about your job and the travelling and—’

Mel gently placed her finger on his lips.

‘We will work it out, Brendan. That’s what people do when they love each other.’

Brendan’s arm came around her and she lost herself in his embrace. As she pulled away, she tuned into the wolf-whistling coming from above and grinned.

Thirty minutes later, Noah popped open a bottle of champagne to toast to the newly engaged couple.

***

Three months later…

Ms Davenport locked eyes with Dug as she caught the wedding bouquet. Pippa sulked, until Bryony whispered to her that all the bridesmaids would get free drinks all night. Paula smiled and lifted the train of her bridesmaid dress off the floor as she linked arms with Noah. They both waved as Mel and Brendan left in the limousine, cans of beer trailing behind—the handiwork of Dug, no doubt.

‘Well, Mrs Kendrick. Where do you want to go next?’ Brendan grinned at his wife, an unwitting tear in his eye.

‘Take me to the pub, husband. You owe me a drink,’ Mel declared, her own voice full of emotion.

Brendan leaned over and thoroughly kissed her as they drove past the cylinder of death to the pub to celebrate their marriage.

The next day, they were dropped off at the ferry terminal by Brendan’s parents. His mother even had the good grace to wish them well. Mel checked that her camera was safe once again as they boarded the cruise ship for their honeymoon—and her first assignment.

She’d been nervous when she’d arranged to see Wolf to decline his amazing offer a few days after the engagement, but he’d shocked her by offering her a new contract! The job was to travel and photograph the world via cruise ships. Someone had let him down at the last minute and he was desperate. Mel had felt like the luckiest girl in the world when she’d turned down the perfect job only to be offered an even better one! One where Brendan could travel with her! She’d had to pinch herself all the way back to the apartment where Paula had insisted they celebrate with a massive party.

Now, Mel and Brendan looked into each other’s eyes as the ship sounded its horn and they made their way out of port. Their adventure was only just beginning.

THE END

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