Page 94 of If We Meet Again

Ashley skipped her way around the bedroom. Then without warning, launched herself onto Madison. Half asleep, she abruptly crunched inwards to protect herself from the puppy-like onslaught.

“Ash,” she groaned,“I’m tired.”

“I know, but did you not hear me? I got the job!”

“You got the job?” Madison clarified.

“Yes!”

“YOU GOT THE JOB?” Clarification turned into a high-pitched scream.

“Can youbelieve it?”

“Ash, that’s amazing. I am so proud of you. Come here.” They embraced emphatically, jubilant in a moment of spectacular joy. Ashley had finally caught the break she so desperately wanted. A chance to start a career in the industry that would bring her a sense of belonging and purpose—or at least she hoped it would. She knew in her heart that something was missing from her life. She had no job satisfaction working in bars. Instead, she longed for late nights in the newsroom, delving into the next leading story.

There was a bang on the door and it flew open to reveal Emily stood there, eyelids heavy and arms tightly crossed.

“I literally didn’t get to sleep until two this morning. I have the week off, which means I don’t want to see pre-lunchtime, and here you are being obnoxiously loud. What on earth is allthe noise?”

“Guess what?” Ashley lunged from the bed.

Emily scowled. “This better be good.”

“I…got…THE JOB!”

Emily unfolded her arms rapidly and ran towards Ashley, omitting a piercing shriek. With a hop, skip and a jump, she contorted herself into a position that wrapped her elongated limbs around Ashley’s body.

“I am so, so, so proud of you! I knew you’d do it!”

“Thanks, Em. I’m sorry forwaking you.”

“Oh, I don’t care about that now. This is worth being woken up for.” Emily stood back and pulled down the oversized band t-shirt that had ridden up the full length of her back. “The question is, how are we going tocelebrate?”

“That’s a very good question.” They both glanced towards Madison.

“What?”

“It’syour time.”

Madison rolled her eyes. “I’ll sort something. Shall we say Friday night?”

“Sounds perfect.”

19

Megan

The sun shone on downtown Nashville. Megan had been there four days, exploring all that the capital of country music had to offer. As she strolled through the iconic streets, something amazed her at every turn. Historic buildings, music attractions, boutique hotels and art galleries. The legendary honky tonk highway was her destination of choice. She was yet to experience it during the day, but the night before had been electric. Hanging with her parents wasn’t too bad. When she was sixteen years old, it was the most uncool thing in the world. Now, she enjoyed their company.

They were staying at her dad’s friend’s holiday home for the week. The three-bedroom apartment in Cumberland Heights had the most amazing panoramic views of Nashville. The trip was very much a business trip for her parents, who had meetings with developers scheduled for most of the week. That left Megan to her own devices through the day; time to really take in Nashville, Tennessee, in all its glory.

The southern hospitality charmed her into thinking she could one day live there. The vibrant neon lights and energetic atmosphere were everything she imagined they would be. She strolled along 12thAvenue towards Broadway and for the second time that week, she came across Amelia’s flower truck. The old cream Volkswagen truck looked vintage and homely, presenting an array of beautifully coloured flowers—the extremely adorable Labrador retriever popping its head curiously through the driver’s seat window—tactfully, or not—helped thecurb appeal.

Megan watched as a woman in a pink apron gracefully arranged a bouquet for a customer. She watched intently as each individual flower was picked and placed, finished off with brown paper anda cream bow.

“Hi there, can I get yousomething?”

Megan realised the woman was talking to her. “Oh sorry, I was just admiringyour truck.”