Claudia's Big Break

by Lisa Heidke

  Jack smiled. ‘I don’t have to leave.’

  ‘I am sure you’ve got other people to see and places to go,’ I said firmly.

  ‘Not really.’

  ‘It’s settled then. Sit down and eat,’ said Tara as she served him a huge helping of everything. ‘You were saying, Jack?’

  ‘What were we talking about again?’ Jack asked, staring straight at me as I seethed into my champagne.

  ‘You were saying that Santorini has been the best place you’ve worked,’ Sophie prompted as she tucked into her moussaka.

  Despite my agitation at Jack being here, I was relieved and happy to see Sophie eating again.

  ‘Yeah,’ said Jack. ‘I got to be part of a big international investigation. Met some great people, too.’

  Oh please! Did he really think I was buying all this crap? I’d seen more shit this evening than I would at a cow manure convention.

  ‘I’ll second that,’ agreed Tara. She sat down next to Angie and the two of them immediately began canoodling on an oversized chair that wasn’t built for snogging adults.

  Alex looked up from his plate. ‘So, Tara, I hear you and Angie are in love. How did all this come about?’

  ‘It just happened,’ said Tara dreamily.

  I could almost hear Alex’s mind ticking away. ‘Really?’ He didn’t sound so convinced.

  ‘Yes, Alex. Are you in love with Sophie?’ Tara asked.

  ‘Of course. More and more every day.’ He looked at Sophie and winked. ‘But it’s not really the same, is it? I mean, neither of you have got a . . .’

  ‘Penis?’ Angie obliged.

  ‘So we couldn’t possibly be in love?’ Tara said.

  ‘Help me out here, Jack,’ Alex said.

  ‘Mate, you’re on your own. My aunt had five kids in six years. She’s a lesbian now.’

  ‘Alex,’ began Tara, ‘I’m surprised at you. Women can fall in love just as easily with women as they can with men.’

  ‘Yeah, it’s all about desire and attraction,’ said Sophie, hugging him. ‘You can’t fight chemistry.’

  ‘But you can give it a damn good nudge,’ I said.

  ‘You can only protest for so long,’ Angie said, leaning over to kiss Tara’s lips.

  Alex and Jack started squirming in their chairs, though they continued to look on unblinkingly as Tara and Angie played tonsil hockey. Perhaps they were hoping the girls would rip their gear off, smear each other with whipped cream and start licking and nibbling. I was quietly confident that wasn’t about to happen, but just in case, I snapped my fingers several times to move it along. Eventually they stopped kissing and the men stopped gawking.

  ‘So what’s your theory then?’ Jack asked Tara.

  Was the pervert hoping for another demo?

  ‘We got lucky, I guess,’ said Angie.

  Alex considered Angie’s comment for a moment before turning to Tara. ‘I’ve been meaning to ask, how’s your writing going?’

  ‘Brilliantly,’ Tara beamed. ‘I’m writing a love story.’

  ‘You? A love story?’ I blurted.

  ‘Yes. Me!’

  ‘But, Tara,’ said Sophie, ‘love stories are the kind of books you hate the most. Appalling, self-indulgent and meaningless fairytales, I think you’ve called them.’

  ‘True, Soph, I might have thought that once. But recently I’ve received some serious inspiration and I just can’t help myself. Words keep tumbling out of my brain, and wouldn’t you know it, they’re all about love.’

  ‘Good for you,’ said Alex as he and Jack stood up, collected the empty plates and took them into the kitchen.

  ‘Tara’s on the right track,’ said Sophie, walking over and sitting beside me. ‘Sometimes we need to open our hearts to love . . . You never know, he might be standing right in front of you.’

  ‘Yeah,’ agreed Tara.

  ‘Easy for you both to say,’ I sulked. ‘Your loves are right here in front of you.’

  ‘You’ve got yourself a great guy, too,’ Sophie said, looking over at Jack, who was walking back out onto the patio.

  ‘You reckon?’

  ‘I reckon.’ Sophie laughed. ‘Don’t let him go.’

  On cue, Jack walked over, crouched down beside me and reached out to hold my hand. ‘I’m sorry for not trusting you.’

  I accepted his hand and led him inside to sit on the sofa where we could be alone.

  ‘Jack, I know you’re sorry. I’m sorry for this bizarre mess too.’

  ‘It’s not your fault —’

  I sighed. ‘Please let me finish. I don’t want to get involved —’

  ‘Is this about Marcus?’

  I nodded. ‘Sort of. Marcus made me feel good about myself. I’m not saying I was in love with him, but I did have feelings. I knew he was newly separated and I still did what I did. I have no one to blame but myself.’

  ‘I’m not married and I don’t have a girlfriend.’

  ‘The thing is, I got sucked in by Marcus, by his charm. I believed what he told me.’

  Jack was slowly sinking into the sofa, his face crumpled.

  ‘But it’s not just about Marcus. I’ve made a mess of most of my romantic relationships and the time has come to sort myself out — to look after my own wants and needs. I need to get my career and head together before I can think about starting a new relationship.’

  Jack continued slumping silently.

  I put my hand on his knee. ‘Can you understand? I’m not in the market for a boyfriend.’ As soon as I said the words I felt relived, knowing I’d made the right decision. I had to be free to get my world back on track on my terms, and at my speed.

  ‘How about a friend then?’

  ‘Sure,’ I said cautiously. ‘Friends are good.’

  30

  ‘I can’t believe it’s really time to go,’ Tara said, glancing at the packed bags lined up at the front door.

  I was standing on the terrace where we’d first stood that breezy afternoon, looking out across the caldera, barely daring to dream that I’d finally arrived. I’d come here a different person — a woman consumed by guilt, doubt and minimal expectations. Somehow, most of my fears, regrets and insecurities had vanished into the sea. I wasn’t perfect — far from it — but I wasn’t a lost soul either. I had dreams and aspirations just like anyone else and I was looking forward to doing my best to fulfil them. It might take me a year, or ten years, but I was setting my sights high — like I should have done twenty years ago. My life wasn’t about to start, I was living it. I breathed in the familiar scent of lemon blossoms wafting through the air and turned back towards my friends.

  Marcella had already come to wish us bon voyage, with an open invitation to return. ‘All the time it is full excitement with you girls. Now everyone come to Marcella’s. I am famous.’

  Marcella had kissed Levi and smiled. ‘You come next year, gorgeous boy.’

  ‘I’ll miss you,’ I had said, hugging her.

  ‘We all will,’ Tara had agreed.

  ‘What about these?’ Sophie was holding my Angel cards.

  ‘I might leave them here for the next travellers to enjoy. I need a break from the mighty Angel Oracles.’

  ‘So you’re actually leaving your Angels in Santorini?’ said Tara.

  ‘Yeah, it’s time. I need to concentrate on creating my own future for a change.’

  Once home, I’d go back to the office and deal with Cassoli’s administrators. Jack had already briefed them but I needed to explain everything in my own words. Through Jack they’d asked if I’d work with them to sort out the mess Marcus had left behind. I was surprised. I would have thought they’d turf me out quick smart, but Jack said they were pleased I was coming back. With the company in upheaval, I wasn’t about to walk out.

  Besides, it would give me time to spruce up my résumé and line up some appointments with people in the industry. I was hopeful I could get back into event planning; if not in the food industry, there were plenty of othe
r businesses that needed help organising seminars, conferences and festivals. I wasn’t opposed to doing a course either, to brush up on my skills.

  In addition, Tara and I would find a new flatmate for me. It was good for Tara, but I was sad to be losing her to the Poms.

  ‘Well, if you’re game, so am I,’ Sophie said, pulling me back into the conversation.

  ‘This doesn’t mean I’m giving up on the mystical world,’ I said, strumming my fingers on the table. ‘I’ll still read my stars every week and attend the odd John Edward extravaganza.’

  Tara nodded, then turned to Levi and presented him with a gift. ‘I have a very special present for you.’

  Levi tore through the wrapping paper and found two copies of the same book. One for him and one to give to Harry. Handwritten by Tara, the book described all the adventures the boys had shared together on the island. The main characters were Levi, Harry and a couple of wayward dinosaurs lost on Santorini. There were photographs of the boys, Angie, Sophie, Tara and I.

  Tara hugged Levi. ‘Sweetheart, this book is especially for you and Harry, so you’ll always remember the magical time we shared here in Santorini.’

  ‘Hey, Tara,’ Sophie said after she’d thanked her, ‘isn’t that a peasant top you’re wearing?’

  Indeed it was. I’d been so overcome by the book-giving ceremony, I’d failed to notice Tara was wearing a floral chiffon top with a small v-neck, a drawstring hem and sleeves that trumpeted (practically bellowed) at the elbows. It was gypsy girl meets peasant princess with a hippie and happening edge. Angie was dressed in something similar.

  Angie floated in and wrapped her arms around Tara. ‘Doesn’t she look divine? We bought them together yesterday.’

  ‘What do you think?’ Tara asked shyly.

  ‘I think . . .’ Sophie said carefully, ‘. . . you look great — glowing, in fact.’

  Tara’s new look did suit her. Who’d have thought love could have this effect on her. The garment floated and draped just enough to reveal her cleavage and toned forearms but tastefully disguised any bumps she might have had in her tummy region. She looked fantastic.

  ‘Sophie, I’m sorry for ragging you about the boho look when we first arrived. The clothes in Santorini do grow on you.’

  ‘Hey. No problemo.’

  Angie busied herself with Levi and Harry while Sophie and I said our final goodbyes to Tara on the patio.

  ‘So when am I going to see you again?’ I mumbled through tears.

  ‘For goodness sake, two weeks.’ But Tara’s bravado was cracking. ‘You’ll have two whole weeks to enjoy the house without me.’ The three of us stood on the patio, hugging and crying.

  ‘Before I need to find a new flatmate,’ I yelped.

  ‘We’ll make sure he —’

  ‘She!’ I boomed.

  ‘— is a good one!’

  Tara took me by the hand and whispered, ‘Everything will work out, you’ll see. And remember, love is there for you too.’ She motioned towards the patio. It seemed Jack had turned up to say his goodbyes. Tara squeezed my hand. ‘All you have to do is open your eyes and embrace it. You of all people should be open to messages the universe is sending you.’

  What was going on? First Tara had adopted a contemporary fashion look and now all of a sudden she was talking about messages from the universe!

  ‘Email me as soon as you land,’ I said. Tara was heading off to Angie and Harry’s place at Kamari for another two days before flying to Heathrow with them.

  After she disappeared up the stairs, I turned to farewell my other best friend. ‘Hey, you three!’ I said, wiping my eyes, ‘I guess you’re ready to leave as well.’

  ‘Sure am,’ Levi said. ‘Daddy’s taking me sailing.’

  Last night Alex had asked Sophie and Levi to join him on a private yacht cruising around the Greek Islands for two weeks. Some people!

  ‘You lucky boy,’ I said, reaching down and picking him up. ‘I’m really going to miss you, sweetie. Promise me that as soon as you get home you’ll ring me so I can come over and visit and see how much you’ve grown.’

  ‘We’ll only be gone another two weeks,’ Sophie pointed out.

  ‘A lot can happen in two weeks,’ I said as Alex and Levi walked outside to talk to Jack. ‘I’m sorry for all the mean things I said the other day.’

  ‘Claud, we wouldn’t be friends if we didn’t argue occasionally. If you can’t scream at your best friend and expel a few demons from time to time, what’s the point? We might as well be friends who meet every couple of months for coffee and compliment each other on how well we’re looking. I already have enough of those friends. I need you and Tara to be honest with me.’

  ‘I still can’t believe you guys kept your kiss hidden all these years,’ I whispered.

  ‘I’d truly forgotten about it until now. I’m glad Tara and Angie have found each other. I really hope it works out for them . . .’

  ‘But what?’

  Sophie shrugged. ‘What do I know? Life’s a gamble, you’ve just got to give it your best shot.’ Sophie’s tightly wound ringlets had disappeared and in their place were loose blonde curls with a soft centre part. She looked effortlessly glamorous, as well as happy and relaxed. Making love clearly did wonders for the skin and hair.

  ‘Well, guys, enjoy your adventure around the Mediterranean,’ I said to Alex when he, Jack and Levi lumbered into the lounge. ‘Don’t spare a thought for me flying cattle class all the way back to Australia. By myself. You kids just enjoy your champers, private chef and personal maid. I’ll be fine,’ I said as Sophie and Alex began kissing in front of me.

  No response.

  ‘All right!’ I said, physically butting in between them. ‘Save it for the boat.’

  ‘Yacht,’ Alex corrected.

  ‘Boat, yacht, canoe, whatever. Just save it all for the cabin, okay?’

  ‘I guess that’s it,’ I said to Jack as we carried out a final check of the apartment. ‘The holiday’s over.’

  ‘Well, for you it is,’ Jack said with a smile. ‘Not for others.’

  ‘Thanks for reminding me.’

  ‘So, have you decided what you’re going to do when you get back home?’

  ‘I’ll sort things out at work and stay there until I find another job. I’m hoping to get back into event planning.’

  ‘Sounds good, but I was hoping you might think about becoming a PI.’

  ‘Don’t be silly!’ I mulled it over while patting my Angels one last time. I guess it would be kind of exciting, working outdoors, getting to nose about in people’s private lives . . . What on earth was I thinking? It was complete madness.

  ‘Besides,’ I said aloud, ‘I don’t know the first thing about investigative work.’ That was putting it mildly. I knew less than zero. Moonlighting and Remington Steele reruns from the eighties were the closest I’d come to investigative work.

  ‘There are courses you can do. Think about it. The pay’s pretty good.’

  Okay, that got my attention. ‘You think I could do it?’

  ‘Why not? In addition to doing a course, you’d need on-the-job training —’

  ‘Jack, I couldn’t work with you.’

  ‘I’m not asking you to. I took our conversation seriously last night. I know you need time. Besides, I don’t want to work with you. But I have friends in the business and I think you’d fit right in, if you’re interested.’

  ‘I’d have to do a lot more research before considering it further.’

  ‘Well, you’ll be at Cassoli’s for at least the next three months. There’s no rush. Now, I’ve just got one more question for you.’

  Here comes the clanger, I thought to myself. ‘What’s that?’

  ‘I seem to have an extra business-class seat to Brisbane. Happen to know anyone who’d like an upgrade?’

  Acknowledgements

  Thanks to all at Allen & Unwin, especially Louise Thurtell for your friendship and belief in me. Thanks to Christa Munns f
or your expert guidance, and to the sales, marketing and promotion team. To Julia Stiles, Ali Lavau and Nicola O’Shea, thank you for your outstanding editorial suggestions. Claudia’s Big Break wouldn’t be the novel it is without your generous input. Huge hugs to Ellie Exarchos for the gorgeous cover. It’s outstanding.

  Friends — where would we be without them? As this novel is about friendship I thought it appropriate to list the girlfriends who have enriched my life over the years: Terase Killin, Sonya Parer, Colleen Barry, Melanie Hassall, Heidi Rexa, Louise McLoughlin, Helen Burton, Suzy Downes, Bozena Gawart, Libby Sherrard, Jane McLeod, Valerie Beattie, Janette McLeod, Fiona Truskett, Julie Hamilton, Louise Knox, Snezna Kerekovic, Ali Irwin, Beck Morris, Kristin Potter, Catherine Wadley, Debbie Knelson and Leah Hobbs. Knowing me as you do, thank you for continuing to take my calls.

  To my friends, the writers: Allison Tait, Kirsty Eagar, Kylie Ladd, Fleur McDonald, Dianne Riminton, Annarosa Berman, Shelley Kenigsberg, Selena Hanet-Hutchins and Desney King. Thank you for your encouragement, support and constructive criticism.

  To my family: Thanks to Roslyn and John Steward and all the Steward clan. To Sue and Doug Heidke, to my brother Craig and sister Dianne. A special thanks to my mum — you are my rock. To Josh, Noah and Mia, you make me laugh, you make me cry, but most of all you make me very happy. Finally, to my husband, Betting, thank you for always encouraging me to see the brighter side of life. Your love, support and belief in me hasn’t gone unnoticed either!

  Table of Contents

  COVER PAGE

  TITLE PAGE

  COPYRIGHT PAGE

  DEDICATION

  CONTENTS

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  8

  9

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  12

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