The Girl in the Yellow Vest Read Free Page B

‘In my experience there are very few occasions on which Trent is right. I mean, he tries but even when we were kids he used to say the dumbest things.’
    ‘Well, he did say that, you know, we were each other’s first love and we hadn’t really given each other a fair chance to find anyone else. He said he needed to do that before he could just settle down with me and I guess that is sort of a fair call. I mean, when you buy a car you don’t just test drive one, do you? You –’
    ‘Oh, for goodness’ sake,’ Will snapped. ‘Did he give you that analogy too?’
    Emily blushed. ‘Sort of.’
    ‘I’ll have a chat to him.’
    ‘No don’t, please!’ she responded, alarmed.
    ‘Okay, okay, sorry, calm down.’
    She sighed. ‘When you think about it, you can’t really blame him for wanting to check what else is out there. I mean, look at me.’ Emily’s gaze returned to her reflection.
    Will was horrified. ‘Are you referring to your weight again? Because if he said anything to you about that I swear to God –’
    ‘Calm down, Will.’ She was touched by his anger but laid a hand on his shoulder to stop him speaking. ‘He didn’t say anything. The truth is, my whole life seems to need a revamp. I’m terrible at my job, I’m slightly overweight and now I’m living with my parents again.’
    ‘Ouch.’ Will winced. ‘I mean, just about that last part. The weight thing is all in your head and I don’t know how you can think that you’re a bad engineer.’
    ‘Well, I must be because my manager has never given me anything worthwhile to do.’
    ‘That’s not true.’
    ‘Will,’ she said pointedly, ‘I
count cracks
. That’s what I do. After five years of study I’m counting squiggly lines on concrete. Did you know this week I started in the basement of a twenty-seven-storey building? It was basically the parking lot and there I was with my notebook and camera and three hundred and twenty-two bays. Trust me, I
wanted
to slit my wrists.’
    He grinned. ‘Okay, look, maybe you’re right. Maybe you do have a crap job. But that’s not you, that’s them. Why don’t you quit?’
    ‘And go where? Jobs at my level are pretty scarce right now.’ Emily put her head on her palm. ‘Do I really want to lose my boyfriend and my job all in the same month?’
    ‘Well,’ Will nodded decisively, ‘you’re right about one thing. Your life does need a bit of a revamp, or a fresh start. You need to get out of town and realise your potential. Why not come and work with me?’
    Emily snorted. ‘Yeah, why not?’ she said sarcastically.
    ‘I’m serious. They’re advertising a position for a new graduate. My manager has already contacted head office about it. I could put in a good word for you.’
    She could get out of town. Leave Trent behind, physically and mentally. Focus on her career. Reboot her life.
    Move on.
    It was exactly what she needed. She turned to him like a long-lost relation. ‘
Really
? You really think I could get a job in Queensland? With you?’
    Will cleared his throat. ‘Of course.’
    She jumped up and down, fisting her hands in glee.
    He rubbed the back of his head self-consciously. ‘Now don’t get too excited, it’s not a done deal yet. I will have to ask first and they’ll probably want to interview you and all that. I can give you a few tips, so you know what’ll impress them.’
    ‘I know, I know.’ She wasn’t worried. Past experience had shown her that when Will put his mind to something he got it done, no matter what it was.
    ‘And there is just one other condition too.’ He looked at her sternly.
    ‘What’s that?’
    ‘No legumes!’ He held out his palm to her, indicating they should shake on it. ‘Have we got a deal?’
    Emily ignored his hand and threw her arms around his neck. ‘Queensland, here I come!’

It was five to seven and already the morning had taken on the hot sticky feeling that was Queensland’s signature ambience that time of year.
    Thank