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Now I had something else on my mind. I was packing for Sydney. It was Wednesday and I was presenting tomorrow. Ryan said he would drive down on Friday night after he finished work. So that was an added incentive and something to look forward to. I had presented once before in the UK and had been nervous, but this time I was excited. It was yet to be seen if my throat would dry up when I stood on the podium with everyone staring at me.
I believed my improved sex life over the past months had contributed to my newfound confidence. Self-belief should be your own responsibility. But having someone make your body feel like a temple of delight certainly puts an extra pep in your step.
Ryan stayed over at least three nights a week, and Bluey saw both cottages as his personal kingdoms. It was strange to think someone else would be living in my cottage in the future. I had decided to extend the lease for the full year. But my return home was seven months away, so for now, I was going to ignore it. I had a deal with Ryan for the year unless he got bored, and he was showing no signs of that.
Before I left home today, I was going to pop over to see Dorothy. Over the months we had shared the odd cup of tea and more cake, but I always kept the conversation away from Ryan. I wasn’t telling Grant or Dorothy anything, though Dorothy clearly knew my neighbor was staying over a lot.
I put my suitcase in the car and headed across the road.
Soon we were settled on the front patio, as usual, where Dorothy watched the world go by. She could probably write a book about what went on. I just hoped there wasn’t a chapter about me.
“So, you’re going to Sydney for your conference. Is Ryan going to join you?”
Dorothy was never going to give up. “Yes, he is, on Friday. I also have some friends here from America. A doctor I trained with and his family.”
“You and Ryan seem to be spending a lot of time together.”
“We’re good friends.”
“I’ve been around long enough to know you’re more than good friends. You said it was what you wanted. Grab a bit of fun while you can, I say. If I was fifty years younger, I would have gone after that young man a long time ago myself.”
“I’m not saying anything, Dorothy, and don’t be so cheeky as to ask.” I smirked. “Now, how is your arthritis in your hands? You said they were improving at your last appointment.”
“I don’t know. You’re mean changing the subject like that. It is so much better since I’ve been doing the physiotherapy and taking those tablets you gave me. The garden is coming along well. I’ve even entered the local horticultural competition again but it’s getting harder to win these days. It took me so long to fill out the entry form because I forgot my password for the page.”
“I’m the same. I keep them all in a little book beside my bed. Though I probably shouldn’t have told you that,” I said.
“Your secret is safe with me. Mine are in a book in my purse.”
“You know you could always bribe the judges of the gardens with your delicious carrot cake.”
“That’s a wonderful idea. Now you should go. You have a drive ahead of you.” She showed me to the front gate, hugged me, and waved goodbye.
I headed off to Sydney. I was staying in a hotel near the bridge, and Grant, Charlotte, and Hudson would arrive Friday lunchtime. I dreaded driving in Sydney but had coped with London so it should not be too bad.
I got to the hotel and threw my suitcase on the bed. I would unpack later. For now, I wanted to see some of Sydney. It would be nice to have Ryan here, but to be honest, I was glad to be on my own to try and get my thoughts together.
I walked out of the hotel and strolled around the harborside to the Sydney Opera House. It loomed, beautiful and majestic above me. The tiles glowed white in the early afternoon sun as people wandered about. It seemed surreal to be here. Peering across at the bridge, I considered I must have been mad to agree to climb it. Too late now. Ryan had booked and paid for it.
I did the inside tour of the Opera House and soaked up all the history. When it was finished, I headed back to Circular Quay and stopped at one of the cafés to have a glass of wine. I did the obligatory Aussie selfie with the Opera House in the background. To make them jealous, I sent a copy to Ryan and Grant. I hated photographs of myself but this one looked okay. It was wonderful to not worry about anything for a while. Life was going great.
I gave a big sigh as I relaxed. It was fun to watch people going by, taking pictures, and eating ice cream.
I eventually headed back to the hotel to prepare for the conference. During the next couple of hours, I went over my presentation until I could do no more. Grant sent a text confirming they would be flying in from Cairns the day after tomorrow. I couldn’t wait to see him again, even if he was going to grill me about Ryan.
* * *
The next day at the conference flew past, and my presentation went better than I could have possibly imagined. I loved my job in the Blue Mountains and could keep in touch with the medical community online, but talking to doctors with similar interests in real life had stimulated me to do more research.
When I had been married to Jonathan, he had always made me feel less because I had not chosen surgery. For a while, I had even believed him. I told myself I didn’t care what he was doing or how his engagement to his new partner was going. It didn’t matter. I was in Australia, living the life, and currently enjoying all the famous sights Sydney had to offer.
* * *
The next day I got a text to say my visitors were in the lobby. I could not keep the grin off my face when I saw them. I ran across the lobby and hugged them all.
“We can dump our bags and go for a stroll,” Grant said. “Sydney looks amazing.”
I wanted to share the city with them as if it was my own. I had only been in Australia for a few months, but it felt so right. Or maybe it was the hunky carpenter making my life perfect. “I booked us all a boat trip around the harbor. Then I thought we could go to Luna Park. I think Hudson will love it.”
