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Her phone vibrated in her pocket, a sharp reminder that the world outside Winterbourne moved on. Pulling it out, she saw there was a message from Lindsay, an old work colleague from Botswana.
Merry Christmas! What a blow that we can’t be celebrating in Botswana! I’m in London at the moment, and I might have a job opportunity for you if you’re in the market. Let me know! X
A flicker of initial excitement was immediately crushed at the thought of leaving her little Winterbourne bubble. On the one hand, she’d grown fond of her new routine, especially the people in it. On the other hand, her dad and Mandy weren’t going anywhere; she was at least in the same country now and could easily visit.
With Frances and Rose, though, the bond was still new and fragile. Walking away now would make keeping in touch awkward, and she wasn’t ready to risk losing what was beginning to grow between them. She wasn’t a carer clocking in and out. She was there because she chose to be — because she cared.
And yet money had to be earned, plans made, and ambitions fulfilled. First, she would have to reply, then thoroughly assess the opportunity to see if it was truly worth leaving the place she had forgotten was home.
CHAPTER 15
Lucie stood at the bottom of the attic ladder and zipped up her coat. Cool air from the open hatch blew down, making her shiver. If she hadn’t been so intent on encouraging her dad to start processing things — physically and mentally — she might have suggested doing it in the spring or autumn.
Not that she was even sure she would be around then. The text conversation she’d had last night about the job opportunity had lingered in her thoughts ever since. She’d be helping to set up a programme similar to the one she’s run in Botswana, and the idea of helping people again was too tempting to ignore.
Before replying and agreeing to go to London to discuss it further, she would have to talk to her dad — and Frances. That was a conversation she definitely wasn’t looking forward to.
“Lucie, are you coming?” his voice called from above.
With a deep breath, she climbed the ladder, knowing it was now or never. She wanted a moment alone with him, and with Mandy due to arrive at any minute, time was short. She stepped into the attic to find her dad lining up suitcases.
“These are all clothes. I can’t face going through them. I don’t expect there’s anything you or Mandy could reuse. Maybe have a look before they go to a charity shop.”
He slumped onto a nearby crate with a pant.
“Dad, I... erm, I need to tell you something. I got a message last night from an old colleague. She might have a job for me.”
His face fell but then tightened into what she read as a forced smile. “That’s wonderful, love.”
“It’s only temporary, in London. I’d be helping to set up an organisation similar to the one I worked with in Africa.”
“Temporary? You’ll go and come back?” Even in the dim light she could see his eyes were as full of hope as his voice was.
“I don’t think so, no,” she said softly. “I really want to do a master’s degree and get my licence to practice drama therapy. I don’t want to be organising workshops and doing admin all my life. I want to be running them. So I’m going to apply to start university in September. The contract should be over by then. It’ll give me time to find somewhere to live and save some money.”
“Oh. Okay,” he replied, disappointment flickering across his face before he masked it.
“I’m sure Mandy will keep you company. I saw the two of you under the mistletoe yesterday.”
“I thought you’d gone. How do you feel about it?”
“I couldn’t be happier.”
He nodded, a faint smile on his lips. “Good, and you let me cover your course fees, okay?”
“You don’t have to, Dad. I can get a loan.”
“Like I said yesterday, I want to help you out with your next steps. It’s non-negotiable.”
“Thank you,” she said, reaching out and squeezing his arm in gratitude.
“Yesterday wasn’t so bad, was it?” he asked after a moment.
“No. I really enjoyed it.”
“Rose and Frances are good company. I can see why you wanted to help them. I won’t ever blame you for helping others, even if it means being apart again.”
Silence settled between them.
