Caz takes this one “No, just you. I would have loved to come, but with the kids…and anyway we think some time on your own will really help...you know, strengthen you.”
I’ve got nothing to say. Holiday on my own? I’ve never been anywhere on my own, the house I can get on board with, but leaving the country, alone!? No I’m not sure that’s their best idea yet.
Fishing in her bag mum pulls out a brochure, “here” she says passing it to me. In fairness it does look amazing, crystal clear waters, blue skies and palm trees. On top of that there are numerous restaurants all offering mouth watering dishes from across the globe and different activities that could keep you busy for 3years let alone 3weeks!
It really is a dream holiday, it must have cost them a fortune, they really must be desperate to get rid of me! Or at least be desperate to get rid of sad-sack me.
Looking up at there expectant faces, I take a deep steadying breath. “OK”
Chapter 2
Three and a half weeks later and I’m packing my bags, I leave on Saturday, in just three days, nervous does not begin to describe the state I’m in.
Chucking things towards my open case I mentally cross them off the list; Bikini’s check, sun cream check, lots of fly spray check…..what else do I really need for three weeks in Mexico?
I spoke to Mick as soon as I got to work the Monday after “the intervention”, he sported a knowing look as soon as he spotted me.
“You really need this” he had said shutting his office door behind us.
“Are you sure Mick, this seems like a lot to ask” I searched his face for the slightest sign of weakness.
“No Kate, really. You have done so much over the last few weeks, this is the least we can do. And if anyone knows how much you need this, it’s me” he added giving me his, we’re in this together expression.
While I was smiling warmly at him, he reached into his desk drawer. “I have something here for you, now don’t be alarmed, you’re entitled to it, with the big accounts you’ve pulled in recently this is your commission. I just persuaded the accounts team to give it to you early so you have a little pocket money while you’re away” he handed it to me giving me a wink with a mischievous gleam in his eyes.
My mouth dropped to the floor the cheque was made out for £5000! “Mick!!” I screeched jumping into his arms and somewhat startling him in the process “don’t Mick me” he said cautiously removing his arms following my inappropriate gesture, “I promise this was just what you earned, you’ve really shown your worth here, the Boss in head office has been making inquiries about you!”
I couldn’t even contemplate what he was saying, in all my time there I had never received this much in one commission, £1000 tops and I hadn’t been keeping track, quite frankly my commission has been the last thing on my mind recently; I never knew divorce could be so profitable.
By now I’m feeling a lot better, I just have to take things day by day. There is always the occasional hiccup; Jake has fully moved out now, but I occasionally come across one of his shirts forgotten at the bottom of the washing basket, or a present he got me for an anniversary and all the heartache I thought I had put behind me floods back like a tidal wave, literally knocking me off my feet. But I think that’s to be expected, it has only been 8weeks, and what do they say? ‘It takes a month for every year you were together to get over a break up’ on that basis I think I’m doing marvellously.
Caz has the house sale going at lightening speed. It was on the market within a day of us talking about it and within 1week she already had five offers, two of which were well above the asking price, I hadn’t realised how sort after this area was? Caz was straight in pitting the two higher bidders against each other and managed to secure an even better price more than doubling what I originally paid. The buyers are desperate to get in, so everyone is working overtime to make it happen as soon as possible.
Mum and Dad in the mean time have been emailing me daily with possible new places to live,