Chapter One
"But why Australia?" my mother repeated for what seemed like the sixth time in a row.
"Why can't you just move..away..if that's what you want so badly?"
She didn't give me a chance to reply before she started again.
"It's the other side of the world for goodness sake!"
"I am aware of that" I muttered.
I sighed. It seemed like ever since I'd told my parents I was emigrating Australia that me and my mum had been having the same conversation every single day, all be it in slight variations! But as I kept trying to explain to her, and my dad, there was nothing for me here in the UK.
Besides which, I had friends in Oz, lots of them. For a start my best friend Zola had moved back to her hometown of Perth almost as soon as we had left Sixth Form.
And I had other friends all over Australia.
"Yes, but there's nothing left for me here Mum"
"There's your family" she muttered.
"You can come and visit" I retorted, fed up of hearing the same thing, over and over.
I knew it was harsh, but I knew she supported my decision really. She was always telling me that I needed to make a better life for myself.
"I mean I have no job, no friends, no fiancee...." I trailed off and looked at the floor.
I had split up with my fiancee James over a year ago, when I had found him in bed with another woman, but it still hurt - even now. Besides, still living at home at the age of twenty-five was not really my idea of fun.
Three weeks later I was on a British Airways flight to Perth, Australia. I was sat in business class, enjoying the perks, and daydreaming about the new life infront of me. When my parents had finally resigned themselves to the fact that I was leaving, no matter what they said or did, they had given me their blesing, as well as the money to upgrade my economy class ticket.
"More wine madame?"
I was interuppted from my thoughts by the female flight attendent suddenly at the side of me, smiling.
I really shouldn't..oh what the hell!
"Oh go on then, thanks".
She poured some more wine into my glass.
"Holiday?" she enquired.
I shook my head 'no'. "I'm emigrating".
For a moment she looked shocked. "But you're so young".
"Ha. I'm not as young as I look", I said. "I'm Twenty-five".
"Besides, I went to Australia on a gap year and absolutely loved the place. I've got loads of friends there".
"Fair enough" she said and smiled at me again. "Enjoy your wine!" she said as she turned and headed back to the galley.
I took a sip of wine and reclined in my seat. I suppose it must have looked a little odd from a strangers point of view. A young girl moving halfway across the world by herself. But this was just the beginning, the new start that I so desperately needed.
And I was determined to make the most of it...