With the dust and mould washed away, she could now see what was in need of a simple cosmetic makeover – the laundry, hall and spare bedroom; and what was in need of serious repair – the kitchen, lounge room and fireplace, and verandah.

She pulled the small notebook out of her back jean pocket and made another list.

The items of furniture under the dust sheets, as few as they were, were in relatively good condition. Between that and the newly fixed door, she figured she was safe to stay the night inside. Safe enough, anyway.

With aching shoulders, and dust and who-knew-what in her hair, Nicole shuffled into the bedroom and flopped onto the old bed that came with the place. She buried her head in the pillow and contemplated her new life in all its uncertainty, and the life she’d lost, once so bright, now broken.

November, Three Years Ago

‘Hey, Nicky,’ Mark called as he came through the apartment door. ‘I’ve got news.’

Nicky wiped away her tears and closed her emails. Another rejection. This one stung, though, just a little more than the others. She’d met this editor. She’d thought they’d hit it off. Was ‘not right for our list at this time’ the publishing equivalent of an ‘it’s not you, it’s me’ dating brush-off?

‘Nicky?’ Mark came into the darkened bedroom, flicking on the bright light. ‘Is everything all right?’

Nicky stood up and turned into his embrace.

‘Oh, Nicky. Another one?’

She choked back a sob.

‘I did tell you not to get your hopes up.’

She stepped back.

‘Not because you’re not good enough. You’re more than good enough. But this is a tough road. You tell me all the time how terrible the odds are, don’t you?’

‘I know.’ She sighed. ‘I just thought this time …’

‘I know. But you just have to keep trying. I believe in you. You’ll get there one day.’

Nicky forced a small smile.

‘When you work hard enough, good things happen.’ Mark moved back with his hands on his hips, a wide grin stretched across his face.

‘You got it?’ Nicky asked.

‘Yep. You are now looking at the youngest partner at Gregory and McIntosh Solicitors.’ He threw his arms open.

Nicky hugged him tightly. ‘Congratulations. You’ve worked so hard for this. We should go out and celebrate.’

‘Only if you feel up to it.’

Nicky swallowed hard. She didn’t really feel up to it, but Mark had been working towards this promotion for so long; he deserved to go out and enjoy his success.

‘Of course. Just give me a few minutes to get ready and we’ll head.’