* * *
Here we are, back in Melbourne. We’re staying at a friend’s place while the removalist gathers our beds and boxes. The fridge had to come from Seymour but I think Mum is selling it to these friends and we’re getting a newer one from a recycling place in Fitzroy.
I don’t have to go to school as we are not yet settled in. Dad has travelled by train to his Mum’s and we now have the car to get around. The tenants move out next week so we are booked to move in the day after. Our neighbour is a cleaner so she has the job of cleaning the house even though the tenants will have done some of it. They’ve found a place nearby so we might see them.
It feels so strange being cold again and Lassie is full of energy. She survived her four hour plane trip and our friends picked us up, along with our eight suitcases. They’d hired a van so we could all fit.
Soon we were home and hosed. I had my bed back and Mum and Dad had theirs. The fridge arrived and fitted into the space and was now humming along. Dad even had his electric bike back which was also in Seymour.
Foxtel was set up and I went looking for tennis lessons. There was one at the Tullamarine tennis club which is supposed to have coaches. I’ll have to get Dad to take me to check it out. It’s in Catherine Ave.
“What are your plans for tomorrow, Dad? I’ve found a place which I think has tennis coaching. There’s no email address. But there’s a phone number 9330 1404. Could you ring them, please?” I asked.
“Okay Paul. I’ll do that now…I just spoke to them and they said to come round after school and they’ll talk about lessons.”
“Thanks Dad.”
“Now, our next purchase is a laptop for you so you can take it to school and use it at home without waiting for me,” said Dad.” I know a second hand place in St Kilda, opposite the Town Hall, where I bought mine. You might get one with Windows 7 or 8 on it but XP is just as good. And if it doesn’t have Word 2010 then you should be able to use mine.”
“Great Dad. And we’ll have an extra printer when the Broome one turns up,” I said.
The Journal of Paul O'Leary: From the City to the Outback Page 13