One
1082 Words
“You are f*****g mental, have I told you that?”
“Ah Robs, you wouldn’t have me any other way” I joked. “Ohhhh give that a whiff! Don’t you just love the smell of the countryside” I inhaled dramatically, twirling around and raising my arms up to the sky.
“f*****g mental…” Robyn shook her head as she waded through the weeds covering the garden path. She came to help settle me into my new Highland home, a seemingly humble steading just North of Glencoe. “Autumn, are you positive you’ll be OK up here?”
After graduating for the 3rd and final time, I felt lost. What was I going to do? Was I going to live the corporate city life? Absolutely no chance, I knew it would drive me batshit crazy, one slow day at a time. It happened to be a Full Moon that night, and after a celebration meal with Robyn and the rest of my friends, I headed home. That was celebration enough. “Granny Pants as always!” Robyn mocked. It didn’t bother me though. What was bothering me was that familiar fuzzy head. It usually
meant the Whispers had some counsel for me. I got home, kicked off my heels and stared out at the Moon.
“I know you’re there. What can I do? I can’t feel like this anymore…” Nothing. No guidance, just silence. “Maybe it wasn’t a message, probably just a migraine” Mumbling to myself, I grabbed some painkillers and headed to bed.
The very next day the offer came. My boss came to my desk and out it came. I seemed bored, restless, apparently. Now I had my PHD in Marketing, she knew I could do it. She proposed I head up the Marketing team for a new brand we had acquired: Hornet House Whiskey. I could work remotely if I wished, with one visit a quarter to the Head Office in Fort William. I accepted, didn’t even think twice. She was ecstatic, and swanned off straight away to make the arrangements.
“Thank you” I whispered…
“I’ll be fine, I told you. I’ve got all my work equipment, a shop 15 minutes drive down the road and the guys will be here in 2 days to install the internet and security system.” I explained for the umpteenth time. Usually I hated to repeat myself, but my best friend was just worried about me.
“I don’t feel good about leaving you here bub, are you sure? You don’t think you’re rushing into this?” It always made me smile when Robyn called me bub. I really was going to miss seeing her every day.
I shrugged. “I can work remotely and won’t be missing much at home. I couldn’t look at one more bus or high rise building Robs, Glasgow was going to break me!”
“There’s always Edinburgh…” she teased. Giving her a shove, I forced the key into the door. I’d already arranged for the contractors to work their magic on the interior before arriving and man, did they deliver!
“Oooh aye, this will do!” Robyn whistled, taking in our surroundings. The full house was open plan. Entering into the kitchen, I’d had it built in all dark wood with sage green and brass accents and the most gorgeous island in the centre. The living room was at the back, a mahogany panelled wall framed the large TV which was nestled between two brown Chesterfield couches and a sage green loveseat. The stairs were to the left, leading to the open gallery top floor. The bathroom was straight ahead, with a wooden kingsized bed in the centre of the wall at the far side. The full right side of the building was glass: floor length windows leading to a spotlight-sprinkled ceiling. “Maybe I’ll have to stay a little longer…”
“You know you’re always welcome, doll. You really like it?” I chewed the inside of my cheek.
“It’s spectacular, you’ve got fabulous taste bub.” She sighed, turning to me. “What am I going to do without you?”
“Robyn I need this. It’s only a 3 hour drive and I’ll be working from home, I’ll always be here for a Facetime or phone call” I wrapped her in a hug. “Now come on, let’s get the car unpacked before it gets dark”
…
Prosecco in hand, we clinked our glasses as we admired our handy work. I’m so glad Robyn came to help me make this house a home. I didn’t know how long I’d be staying here so I had to make it as comfortable as possible. The contractors did a great job, but the addition of the plants, cushions and crystals made it *chefs kiss*
“When are you getting the wifi installed again? The signal is shite here.” Robyn was stomping around in her Dr Martens, phone held high trying to post another Insta story. “Can you even get sss deliveries here?!” Her face contorted in horror at the thought.
“Jesus of course you can… just takes a couple of days is all”
“The horror…” She stated seriously, staring out the window at the night sky. “Some view though!” She perked up at the sight of the Moon peaking over the hills. Something about the Moon always settled me. It was when I could hear the Whispers the loudest. I joined her at the window and put my head on her shoulder. She held my hand as we stood and stared at the stars. Until the rumble of thunder made us both jump.
“I hate thunder! I hope it’s not a bad storm…” Robyn shook as the rain started to streak the windows.
“Me either… The landscapers are supposed to be coming tomorrow to sort out that s**t-show of a garden”.
Our eyes met and we laughed, collapsing back on the couch in hysterics.
“I have a good feeling about this Robs” I breathed when we stopped laughing. “I think this is where I’m supposed to be”. It was true. And not just because the Whispers told me so…
- Writer
