Passport to Happiness

Sighing loudly at the cliché, I roll my eyes. ‘Yes, I know.’

‘Oh god, I’ve got to go,’ Tilly says, her voice hushed in annoyance. ‘My boss is back, and he’s got a right face on him. Promise me you’ll think about the teaching abroad thing though.’ Tilly’s tone is serious.

‘I will.’ Hanging up, I take a long sip of my now-cold hot chocolate and glance at the time. If the last two days has taught me anything, it’s that I’d underestimated the physical toll of skiing and the comatose power of being subjected to continual fresh, mountain air. It’s not the evening for making life-changing decisions. Instead, I decide on heading back to the hotel and a hot bath and room service. My last night in Switzerland will be spent relaxing.

*

‘Plus your lemon cheesecake and your apple crumble with the coconut topping?’

Amy laughs at the other end of the phone. ‘Yep, I’m doing those too. I knew you’d ask. Besides, Lily already made me promise her I’d make them. I swear she takes after you with her love of food.’

‘So what if she does? At least she won’t be a skinny rake like you.’ I listen as Amy huffs and pretends to be insulted but we both know she naturally takes after our super-slim mum. ‘I’ll be at yours for three o’clock then. My flight doesn’t land until one.’

‘Perfect. See you tomorrow. And don’t forget Harry’s magnet.’

‘Of course not.’ I smile and hang up, glancing across to the small metal Swiss flag I’d bought earlier for Harry, my nephew.

Putting my mobile to one side, I shift myself from the bed, tightening the fluffy bathrobe I’ve donned and begin to put my belongings in my small case. It’s only nine o’clock but I’ve decided on an early night. I’ve barely managed to fold three things when a message notification dings loudly. I pad across to the bed and noticing it’s Tilly, scan the content, heart racing as my eyes dance across the words and linger on the final paragraph.

‘It’s a six-month maternity cover at the international school just ten minutes up the road from my place. As I said above, they need someone ASAP so I’ve put your name forward (don’t be mad at me!). I’ve told Carolyn you’ll be in touch with your CV.’

I stop reading as my heart threatens to burst from my chest. ‘She can’t be serious. Surely not?’ I whisper to myself, breathless with anticipation and adrenalin. Before I think twice, I’ve fired off a reply.

‘Oh my god! But where would I even live?? PS. I don’t even know what the pay is!’

It’s less than a minute later and the response makes my breath catch in my throat.

‘You’ll live here with me, of course! As for the pay – it will undoubtedly be at least double that which you’re earning. This is Bermuda baby!!!! It’s going to be awesome. Send that CV!’

‘Oh, my goodness. Are you really going to do this Everly?’ I say aloud, wondering how this has even happened in the space of three hours since our phone call. And what if this is ‘it’. That chance I’ve been looking for to lead me into new circumstances…

It doesn’t take much convincing, and I find myself spending the next hour preparing my CV and trying to ignore the niggling doubts that float through my head, that small voice of insecurity taunting me as I dare to dream that I’ll be successful in the application.

It’s almost midnight by the time I feel confident enough with what I’ve prepared and after taking a deep breath and scrolling back through my messages with Tilly to find Carolyn’s contact email, I copy and paste it into the ‘To’ field, letting my finger hover over the ‘send’ key.

‘Do it Everly, this could your change life.’ I’m aware of the words I’m speaking to myself as I tap on ‘send’ and in a final gesture of hope, close my eyes and send up a silent plea.

‘Please, let this be what I’ve been waiting for.’

And that’s all I can do now. Wait.

Chapter 5 (#u9e95656c-7e84-5ff9-b1b8-a08febe83069)

‘Are you out of your flipping mind?’ Amy looks at me incredulously and Lily stares wide-eyed, her spoon mid-air. ‘What will you do with your place? Not to mention the fact you’ll be a maternity cover.’ She purposely says the word slowly, empathising her point. ‘It’s ridiculous, you’re going to be giving up your entire life and security for a six-month jolly in the sunshine. And then what?’

I open my mouth to respond but she’s not yet finished. ‘I’ll tell you what. Then you’ll be back here with your tail between your legs with no job and nowhere to live. That’s what.’

‘But I’ll have an amazing tan?’ I venture, wondering why on earth she’s so riled up and trying lightly to defuse the situation. Fair enough, I hadn’t expected Amy to take the news of my application breezily, but I wasn’t expecting such harsh reality either.

‘This isn’t a joking matter, Everly.’ She looks at me earnestly and I feel myself relenting. ‘I just don’t want to see you throw away what you think is a boring life, for something that is only a short-term fix.’

She has a point. But I’m not about to let her know that. I’ve spent the last seven hours contemplating how I really feel about this opportunity. Yes, it’s great in theory and it is everything I could have hoped for, but I also can’t help but wonder if I might be making an impulsive, irrational decision. On the other hand, I’ve just recounted my entire Switzerland trip to Amy and mused about how much fun I had, how enlivened I felt and how many opportunities popped up as a result of that impromptu journey.

Sighing, I try not to let her negativity rub off on me. ‘Well, I’ve only put my CV forward at this stage. It’s not like they’ve actually offered me the job. So maybe it’s best we shelve this whole idea until I get an answer.’ I pick up the serving spoon and cut myself a large second helping of crumble, winking at Lily as I do so and noting her best efforts to stuff the last spoonful of cream into her mouth. ‘Besides, I’m certain they’ll have loads of applicants already in Bermuda and won’t even need anybody flown in from overseas.’

‘That’s true. You probably won’t get it anyway,’ Amy says, standing as she picks up her plate. ‘Oh, and before I forget…’ She stops talking and scoops up crumbs from the table with a used napkin. ‘Jack wants to know when you’re free for this get-together with his colleague?’

‘Not interested.’ I try not to show my exasperation, but I feel my frown deepening, boring yet more lines into my forehead. Gee, thanks Aim.

‘Oh, don’t be like that. This could be the man of your dreams.’ I watch as Amy turns towards the sink and then glance at Lily and roll my eyes. She smiles back in amusement, knowing full well her mother is annoying me. Unaware, Amy carries on. ‘Anyway, stop getting so bitter about men. Jay might have ruined your life as you always put it, but you’re lucky to be able to jet off on holiday and be wined and dined. Even if you often meet losers, you still get to have fun.’

There’s really no point arguing with my sister about this, she’s clearly on a mission to keep me working locally or marrying me off to whoever will have me. It doesn’t appear to have sunk in to her brain that I’m unhappy with the way things are going. In her eyes, I’m free, independent and able to do as I please. Therefore, I’m not allowed to be disgruntled with life.

‘Oh, you never told me about Natalie?’ Deciding to change the subject, I stand up from the table, collecting the remaining empty bowls as I do so. I hear my mobile ring in my bag on the adjacent worktop just as Amy launches into her story, so I ignore it. It’s an hour later by the time the washing up is done and we’ve finished discussing the ins and outs of Amy’s neighbour’s marriage.

‘Auntie Everly, do you want to watch Barbie’s vacation with me?’ Lily asks, padding back into the kitchen in her unicorn motif pyjamas.

I glance at the clock, knowing that if I don’t make a move soon, I’ll have limited time to prep for the start of school next week. ‘Sorry darling, I’ve got to go home now. But I’ll see you next weekend and we can watch it then, yeah?’

‘Okay then.’ Lily pulls a disappointed expression that tugs on my heartstrings and for a brief moment I long for a little Lily of my own.

Grabbing my bag from the worktop, I bend down to kiss my little blonde niece on the head. ‘Bye darling. Don’t forget to give your brother his magnet.’

‘Actually, they should be home from football practice soon,’ Amy says, looking at her watch as we walk to the front door.

‘Thanks for dinner.’ I lean in to hug her slim frame. ‘Tell Jack I said hello and give Harry a kiss from me.’

‘I will do.’

Opening the door, I’m not surprised to see the beginning drizzle of rainfall. Pulling my cardigan tightly around me, I run to my car, thinking of all the things I still need to do when I get home – namely, unpack. I sigh at the mundaneness. So much for an exciting Friday night.

By the time I get home my head is imploding with the to-do list of things that need to be addressed. School starts back up on Monday and even though I’ve got the entire weekend, I’m way behind. Panicked, I put the kettle on and decide a coffee is in order.

My phone beeps and I’m suddenly reminded of the missed call from earlier. Retrieving it from my bag, I glance at the display and my stomach jumps into my throat. There’s a missed call and a voice message from an international number. It can only mean one thing. Quickly calling my voicemail, I place my mobile on loudspeaker, setting it down on the dining table.

‘Hello Ms Carter, this is Carolyn Smith from Bermuda International School. I’ve received your resume in response to the maternity vacancy we are looking to fill, and I’d be very interested to talk with you further regarding this. Please can you call me at your earliest opportunity.’

Hands shaking, I glace at time on my screen – 7.30 p.m. – and calculate that it’s still only early afternoon in Bermuda. Without letting my nerves get the better of me, I decide it’s now or never. Pressing the call button, I hold my breath and cross my fingers.

It only takes three rings before it’s answered.

*

‘Why are you packing that?’ Cynical, Amy shakes her head and tuts.

‘Can you stop interfering in my clothes choices and instead take those bags out to the hall?’ I nod at the two holdalls that are blocking the doorway of Lily’s bedroom. AKA my temporary bedroom of late.

‘You’re going there to work though, not to go clubbing.’