Page 103 of In the Long Run
If everything follows the plan I’ve been refining for the last few days, while I wait for my CO and career adviser to return from leave, I won’t need to visit for too long.
Because I’ll be back for good.
Eugene’s kitchen is filled with so much laughter I almost don’t hear my phone ring.I scoop it off the bench with one hand and drag the other across the small of Gen’s back.She continues siftingicing sugar over the top of the mille-feuille she and Eugene made this afternoon.He’s been testing potential cookbook recipes in a normal kitchen, rather than Alizée’s, because his readers aren’t going to have access to a professional one.
‘I have to take this,’ I whisper, stealing a kiss from the spot behind her ear that always makes her hum contentedly.‘Knox Watson,’ I say as I open the door to the courtyard and step out into the balmy evening air.
‘Forty, finally.How’s it going, mate?’Tegan Brown says.We went through Duntroon together and have been posted to a few of the same places, but I wouldn’t say that we’re friends.Which is unfortunate because I’m about to ask her for a hugely inconvenient favour.
Leaning against the tall side fence, I breathe in the lavender.‘There’s something I’d like to discuss with you.’
‘Heard the rumours, have you?’
I stand up taller, my grip on my phone tightening.‘Rumours?’
‘They’re true.You’re off to Washington D.C.next year, mate.’
What?
‘But I’ve got another year in Brisbane,’ I say.
And I want to move to Melbourne.This wasn’t supposed to happen now.
‘The guy we were sending put in his discharge.’
‘But it’s a Major’s position.’
‘Which leads to the next bit of good news.You’re getting made up early.’
My head spins.
‘How quickly can you get back to Brissie?’Tegan asks.‘It’s time to start tying up loose ends.’
This is everything I’ve been working towards for the last ten years.
And exactly what I don’t want anymore.
‘I’m on leave for another couple of weeks,’ I protest.
‘And we’ll give you some time before you go.’
‘I …’
There’s a long silence.
‘What gives?’Tegan asks.‘I thought you’d be wetting yourself with excitement over this.I had to fight to get this for you.’
‘And I really appreciate that, but—’
‘No buts.You’ll kick yourself if you don’t take it.I know it.’
It pisses me off that Tegan thinks she knows me.All my Army ‘friendships’, except for Yeti, have been purposely kept at surface level.To protect myself from unwanted attention.To let me fade into the background, get my job done.
‘I wanted to talk to you about a transfer to Melbourne.’
Tegan’s laugh is confused.‘What?Melbourne?Why the fuck do you want to go there?Snagging a Military Attaché posting has been listed on your career progression plans for years.What’s changed?’
Everything.
