‘Oh, Lauren, you really are the limit,’ Charles said, but laughed. ‘Seriously, though, Alice, you know you’re welcome to stay as long as you like.’
‘And given that we believe family doesn’t necessarily need to be blood, you are welcome to become an honorary Finmore, just like Brett,’ said Lauren.
‘I’d love that. Thank you,’ Alice said, smiling warmly. The Finmores, and Blair for that matter, seemed to be really lovely, upbeat people and she already felt part of the family. She loved the warm feeling it gave her. Her words in response seemed so banal considering what they were offering – the magnitude of which they would never really know. But what else could she say? Her heart swelled and suddenly tears were filling her eyes. She blinked them back and bit her lip to stop it quivering. Thankfully no one noticed and Alice quickly regained her composure.
‘So, tell us, Alice, how have you enjoyed Ballarat?’ Charles asked. ‘I assume you went into town at least once in order to get everything for dinner.’
‘Alice has been to Ballarat before, anyway, Dad,’ Lauren cut in.
‘Yes. I’ve had an amazing time. And, actually, about that. I have some news. I’m staying. I’ve got a job that I start on Monday and …’
‘Good for you. What a great idea,’ Charles said when Alice had finished telling them all about her course.
‘I think you’ll make a really good lawyer,’ Brett said.
‘Yes, absolutely,’ said Lauren. ‘I can’t believe we never thought of it before.’
‘It’s going to be a long, slow slog. I know that, but I’m determined.’
‘And that’s half the battle,’ Melissa said. ‘You’ll be fine. Do you need any furniture or anything for your new home?’
‘No, thanks, the unit is fully furnished. I can’t wait to show it to you. Oh, I almost forgot to tell you the best part. Bill can come to work with me if he gets along okay with the Bakers’ dog, Max, who is a gorgeous black toy poodle. He’s the sweetest thing. I just know Bill will love him, and vice versa. I’m going to take him in for a visit next week to see how they are together. It’ll be a weight off my mind knowing he won’t be sitting at home lonely all day. And the walk to and from the office will be ideal for him – for both of us. Though, he might need tiny shoes for dealing with the hot footpath during summer.’
‘Aww, so cute,’ Lauren said.
‘Or you could be like those celebrities and put him in your handbag,’ Brett said.
‘True. What do you think about that, Bill?’ Alice said, reaching down to pat the dog sitting on the floor beside the couch. ‘It really is all just so perfect,’ she added, letting out a sigh.
‘We’re really happy for you, Alice,’ Melissa said. ‘And you know where we are if you need anything.’
‘Yes, anything at all,’ Charles added. ‘Though you seem to have thought everything through,’ he said, smiling broadly.
‘I hope so. But, um, I’ll need a ride into Ballarat on Tuesday when I move into the unit, if that’s okay.’
‘Of course it is,’ Melissa said.
‘I need to go in, I can take you,’ Blair said.
‘Okay. Great. Thanks. Oh. I forgot to bring in your chocolates, Blair,’ Alice said, getting up.
‘I’ll get them – I put them in a cupboard out of the way,’ Lauren said, easing herself out of her seat. ‘Can I get anyone anything else while I’m up?’
‘Actually, darling, can you please bring in a jug of water and some glasses, too?’ Melissa said.
There were murmurs from the others saying they were fine and nothing else was needed.
‘I’ll help carry,’ Alice said, getting up and following Lauren out.
‘I think you’ll be a great lawyer, Alice, I really do. But, why? What made you decide?’ Lauren asked as she leant against the bench waiting for the jug to fill from the small filter tap, which Alice had found during her stay to be very slow.
‘It’s because of all the stuff I’ve learnt about narcissism – it’s bloody everywhere, and, as I know, can be very damaging! According to so many people on the online forums, the narcissists are still managing to pull the wool over the eyes of a lot of the judges and lawyers in custody battles and divorce settlements and so forth. And I keep thinking about all the people in offices working for the likes of Carmel and not getting any support from management. And then there’s the online bullying and university hazing that’s always in the news – don’t get me started on that!’ Alice was shaking a little and her heart was racing. She took a deep breath to steady herself. She probably wasn’t even making sense.
‘Wow, I love hearing you so fired up.’
‘I am, Lauren, I really am – like I’ve never been before.’
‘That’s great. Keep going. You still haven’t answered, why Law.’
‘It’s so hard to put succinctly. But it was remembering what Helen said that clinched it – that I should use my experience for the good of others. Narcissism’s a big part of “metoo” and “timesup”. Thanks to those movements, people who’ve been silent for years, decades, about their abuse – and about all sorts of abuse at that – are finally speaking out. The tide is turning and soon I reckon there’s going to be a shitload of lawsuits. It makes sense. People are, rightfully, going to want public apologies, compensation for lost earnings and their careers being derailed, et cetera. And there’s so much commentary about lawyers lacking in compassion and understanding at a human level – plenty of them are probably narcissists, too … Anyway, I want to be one who gets it – really gets it – emotionally and mentally. Obviously, I have a long way to go, but I can see lawyers with genuine empathy becoming a crucial, and sought after, part of the healing journey for survivors. That’s it, really, in a nutshell – a pretty big nutshell,’ Alice concluded with a shrug.
‘It makes perfect sense to me. You’re going to be awesome. I’m so glad you’ve found your groove,’ Lauren said, stacking the jug and glasses on a tray.
‘Thanks. It feels right,’ Alice said, carrying the box of chocolates and following Lauren back into the room.
‘I still can’t believe you didn’t tell me about it all before now, though,’ Lauren said. ‘How could you have kept all that to yourself?’
‘There’s nothing wrong with a few secrets, Lauren,’ Brett said.
Alice didn’t feel the need to remind Lauren that they’d barely been in contact in the almost two weeks since she’d left Melbourne. No doubt her friend had been too distracted by Brett. She was happy for them. Everything is perfect, she thought, beaming. They were so kind and positive – there had been no negative comments, no sneers, no sarcasm, and not one huff when she had told them about her job, her new home and her course. Nothing but approval, encouragement and offers of unconditional support. It was new territory for Alice, and she liked it.
Epilogue
Around one month later.
‘Alice, are you okay?’ Ashley asked, sliding in the drawer of the filing cabinet.
‘Sorry?’ Alice said, looking up from checking her phone.
‘You’ve been sitting there staring at your phone since I walked in.’
‘Oh. Right. Sorry.’
‘Don’t be sorry. I’m just concerned. Has something happened? You look worried.’
‘No. I’ve just received an email from the university and I’m too scared to look. Can you?’
‘Sure,’ Ashley said, holding her hand out.
Alice unlocked the phone and passed it over.
‘You’re in!’
‘Really?’
‘Yep, here, see for yourself.’ She handed back the phone.
‘Wow.’ Alice let out a deep breath after she’d read the email through twice.
‘Well done. That’s great news,’ Ashley said, hugging her.
She went out into the hall, leaving Alice feeling stunned. ‘Dad, Mum, Kylie – Alice got into her course!’ she called.
Soon everyone had crowded into the office, and they were hugging Alice a
nd offering hearty congratulations. She’d stood up when they all came in but still hadn’t said a word. Oh my god, it’s happening, it’s really happening, kept running through her head.
‘You’re probably a little shocked,’ Lyn said.
‘I am a bit, to be honest.’
‘It’s a big step. And after waiting so long and feeling like your whole future rests on it, finally finding out might feel a little unsettling at first,’ Peter said.
Alice nodded and looked down at her phone again. ‘Do you mind if I just send a couple of texts to let some friends know?’
‘Of course not,’ Lyn said. ‘You must.’
‘Yes, tell your people and shout it from the rooftops. I’m calling an early mark. It’s a quarter to five, anyway,’ Peter said, checking his watch.
‘I’ll get the champagne and glasses,’ Kylie said, patting Alice on the shoulder and leaving the room.
Alice was so touched by everyone’s enthusiasm she had to blink back tears as she tapped in her brief message to send to Lauren, Brett, Charles and Melissa. She felt a little knot of sadness about not texting Frank straight away, but she would not run the risk of her mother finding a way to ruin this moment.
She stared out the window where Bill and Max, now firm best friends, were pottering about the small garden together. Warmth and serenity flooded through her. At that moment Bill paused and looked up at her with his head cocked and tail wagging. Her heart surged. I am so blessed to have you, Billy boy, she thought. Everything was coming together beautifully. This was the start of a whole new, exciting adventure, and she felt completely at peace about it. And strong. During the past month she’d had a few jitters about whether she was really on the right path, but there were no twinges of apprehension now. Not a one.
I’m doing this! And I’m going to be awesome!
Acknowledgements
Many thanks to:
James, Sue, Annabel, Adam, and everyone at Harlequin Australia/HarperCollins for turning my manuscripts into beautiful books and for continuing to make my dreams come true.
Editor Bernadette Foley for her kindness, generosity, valuable insights and guiding hand to bring out the best in my writing and Alice’s story.
Amy Milne at AM Publicity for getting the word out, and the media outlets, bloggers, reviewers, librarians, booksellers and readers for all the amazing support. It really does mean so much to me to hear of people enjoying my stories and connecting with my characters.
And, finally, to my dear friends who provide so much love, support and encouragement – especially Mel Sabeeney, NEL, WTC and LMR. I am truly blessed to have you in my life.
ISBN: 9781489261595
TITLE: A LIFE OF HER OWN
First Australian Publication 2019
Copyright © 2019 Fiona McCallum
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