Chapter 1
Emily sat at the kitchen table of her apartment, reading over the job listings in the newspaper again, she had already phoned every number of the advertisements that she was qualified to do.
The dull kitchen light illuminated the tiny room. Her head resting in her hands as she ran her eyes over the page, desperate to see something she had missed.
There was nothing. She had no idea adult life would be this hard, moving out of home after she left high school she decided to get a real job. She hated studying and couldn't bear the thought of going to university. Besides her parents never studied and they turned out fine.
Emily had used up all her savings in a matter of months and was still unable to hold down a job. Tears fell to the paper from her eyes, smudging the ink.
At this rate she would be evicted in less than a month and could hardly afford to keep herself fed for the next few days.
She dragged herself off to bed and tossed and turned, her stomach in knots from the stress, she eventually fell into a slumber after crying herself to sleep.
The next morning the telephone woke her up, she threw on her gown and ran into the lounge, hopefully this was someone responding to her many applications.
"Hello Emily speaking?" She answered, trying not to sound too excited.
"Emily dear! I heard you were in town; it's your Aunt Lisa!" Chirped an older woman's voice.
Her heart fell slightly, though it was nice to hear a familiar voice.
She hadn't seen her aunt in several years, and just so happened to move to the same town as her once she moved out of home.
A pang of guilt hit her as she realized she never even reached out to say hello.
"Oh hi Aunty!" She said with extra enthusiasm.
"Yes I live in Brookdale now too, sorry for not calling yet." Emily said sheepishly.
"Oh never mind that darling, I know how busy you teenagers can get with your busy lives" Said her aunt.
Emily looked around herself at the dead silent apartment.
"Y-yeah, busy beaver" Emily said, trying to sound convincing.
"Well I won't keep you long, I am calling as your mother said you were having a spot of trouble with money? It just so happens my live in nurse has had to depart on short notice and I need somebody to help look after me, you could stay here for free if you would like to take on the job?"
Emily took a moment to think about it, she had no qualifications of any kind to do with nursing.
"Thankyou for the offer Aunty but I'm not really qualified to do that kinda stuff, sorry" Emily replied.
"Not a problem deary! You don't need any sort of qualifications, I'm not bedridden, just need a bit of help around the house and things that's all." Her Aunt replied cheerily.
"Well, if you are sure you don't mind then... sure. I can give it a go" Emily said.
"Excellent! How soon can you move in?" Her Aunty asked.
"Well, I'm actually between jobs as it happens so there isn't exactly anything keeping me here, I can pack my bags and be there today." Emily replied.
"Perfect" Her Aunt replied.
Emily got her address, had a friendly chat with her Aunt and hung up.
When looking on a map was surprised how far out of town her Aunt lived, it was miles! She checked the bus route and luckily there was a bus that passed through there, though only once per day.
She packed everything she owned into a large suitcase, arranged her departure with the landlord and hopped on the bus.
As she rode along the road she wondered if this was another step back for her. She also started to realize that getting a job might be even more difficult now that there was an even larger commute to the town.
But at least she would have a roof over her head, and a bit of company.
Emily paid close attention to where the bus was to make sure she didn't miss her stop.
"Here please!" She said loudly for the driver to hear.
He pulled over at the lonely mailbox at the end of a dirt road, nothing but pastures and hills all around.
She got off and watched the bus disappear down the road, leaving her in silence. She nervously checked the mailbox and confirmed it was the right number and started her walk down the driveway.
The cold air making condensation as she took heavy breaths, lugging this suitcase with her was heavy work, and she was having to strain herself to keep going.
Finally, the house came into view, she was disheartened to see it was quite small, not nearly the size of the farmhouses she had seen on the bus trip here.
The grey skies started shedding raindrops, so she hurried to the front door and gave a knock.
"Is that you dear? Please come on in, you must be freezing!" Her Aunts voice said from inside.
Emily tentatively opened the door and made her way inside.
