Page 33 - My Home on the Earth

‘It’s all right, madam,’ purred an articulate voice. ‘Let me give you a hand. Which bus do you want?’
Marissa mumbled seventeen and studied the figure in front of her. With flowing grey hair and a stubbled chin, she wondered if he had a motive as his clothes had seen better days. Surprisingly, he had a warm smile as he placed the case inside and said goodbye. It would be a while before she met the man again.
In a daze, she paid the fare and sat down. When she’d recovered, the view of the coastline felt inviting and she wondered how it would feel to live in an apartment overlooking the sea and have everything she needed.
At the end of her bus journey and having seen a small part of this lively coastal resort, she remembered her father’s constant words: ‘She’ll do well for herself, will our Louisa; got her head screwed on right.’ Their parents had always favoured her older sister and those words never failed to hurt. Now Marissa had a sound reason for wanting to come to Rauston Quay. This is my chance to get what I always wanted: a decent job and a lovely home!
Stumbling off the bus with a heavy suitcase seemed to amuse the bus driver. Marissa glared at him. ‘Thanks for nothing,’ she snarled.
‘Have a nice day, madam,’ he grinned.
In front of her stood a four-storey curved building. Huge windows reflected the light coming off the water in the bay and white balconies offered breathtaking views of the harbour.
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