Once we are back in the van and the 3 guys who had stayed behind finish complaining about having to wait for me, I make a phone call to my mum, primarily to tell her that her only daughter is moving to the other side of the world for a year, but also to ask her to collect my car from the retail park, I don't want to come back to an enormous parking charge!
"Hi sweetheart! Are you ok, it's pretty late you know!"
"It's 21:45 mum and I'm 30 years old! It's not late, and yes I'm fine. I just wanted to let you and dad know I'm off on assignment tonight. I'm going to Australia and I'm going to be there over Christmas"
This is not a shock or surprise to her, she has received similar calls on many occasions in the past 10 years, my boss often choosing the night before I need to travel to tell me I am being sent overseas. Another reason I keep a half packed hold-all under my bed at all times.
"Wow, Lucky thing! The weather is always good there isn't it. Even at Christmas. Did you know that many Australians celebrate Christmas Day on the beach while wearing swimwear and Santa hats?! How bizarre don't you think? I mean, why do they still send cards with snow scenes on, most of them have probably never even seen snow. Why not have cards with photos of 'sandmen' wearing sunglasses and armbands on them, i think..."
"MUM!!" I raise my voice and bark the word, my mum immediately stops talking and apologises for getting carried away. I know where I got my curious mind from, I think to myself.
"I need you and dad to collect my car for me and take it back to mine. I'll text you the address. I've left my car key in the lock box beside the front door and I'll text you the code for that too. Could you just pop over weekly and pick up the mail for me until I have it redirected?" I ask
"Of course we can. Me and Dad will miss you over Christmas, but you will message us won't you!?" she asks with a hint of sadness in her voice.
"I'll be busy mum, but never too busy for you! I'll be a good girl and stay in touch regularly. I'll be writing a book and the trip is for research purposes. I've got my phone and laptop so you can still contact me, either on FaceTime or Skype. I'll miss you but I'm excited". I decide to downplay the situation, and length of time I'll be away, my mum will worry otherwise.
After a few more minutes of small talk I say my goodbyes, tell her I love her and end the call, putting my phone back in my bag. I pull out my journal and pen and begin to write. Just words to start with, words that reflect how I feel..... Anxious, Angry, Resentful, Intrigued and Excited.
I begin to write my first impressions of them all, Jimmie is caring, considerate and excitable. Yanni is surly, angry even, and selfish. Eloise is aggressive, direct and fiercely protective.
I haven't really had much time to get to know Teddi, Parker and Noah yet, so leave spaces beside their names.
I write down some questions I'd like to address, some simple and work related, others more personal.
I want to talk about all aspects of their lives, their childhoods, defining moments, secrets, ambitions and relationships.... really dig deep, I mean..... I'm going to have 12 sodding months to fill aren't I!
We arrive at the airport soon after and I am stunned to see that we have driven directly onto the runway! A beautiful small private plane sits ready, 2 female air stewards wait at the top of the stairs to greet the guys, tight pencil skirts and clingy white blouses, clearly push up bras beneath, and LOTS of thick make up that appears to have been applied with a bricklayers trowel!
I cannot resist the urge to hold Jimmies hand as they both stare at me as if I'm a three headed alien, making me feel anxious and earning me a death stare from one of the air stewards, and a seriously surprised look from Jimmie!
I can't resist flashing my most sickly sweet little smile at the air steward as we pass her, still hand in hand.
The plane is stunning! Ten extra wide white leather reclining seats, navy long pile carpets, high gloss maple wood tables and even a full bathroom with a shower.
Jimmie takes me past all the seating towards the back of the plane and through a door into a bedroom, the king size bed draped in grey silks and cream fur throws.
"Wow! This is amazing..... it's nicer than my first home. Beautiful" I enthuse, running my hands over the fur throw and smiling like a child at the finger trails I am leaving, as Jimmie jumps backwards onto it, placing one hand behind his head and patting the space next to him.
I sit down and kick off my shoes, lying back beside him. I sigh at how soft the pillow is, and continue to stroke the fur throw, turning to look at Jimmie who is staring back at me.
"Jimmie, why does Yanni hate me so much already?" I question
He is quiet for a few moments before replying...
"He hates you because his fianceé left him after reading one of your stories. There was enough truth in it to plant doubt and suspicion in her mind, the arguments got worse and worse and finally she left while we were on our American tour. He came back excited to see her and was confronted with an empty apartment, her ring and a note that just said 'I'm done!' on the dining table. No forwarding address, blocked him on social media and changed her number! He blames you for ruining his life"
Oh crap!