with the
Flinders Museum.
I’ve
been in touch with Dr. Shaunessy about the initial $100,000 from my Institute
and she was very grateful. But there are some conditions to the Finlayson
Enterprises donation, which I’m sure she won’t be terribly happy about. I think
I’ll give it some thought before I e-mail her. At last, I can feel it coming
together!
Regards,
Michela
She
touched the send button and then called home. No answer. Disappointed, she
returned the PDA to her jacket pocket. Natalie must still be at work. Michela
picked up her briefcase and went into the lounge area. After grabbing a bite to
eat, she made herself comfortable for the long wait before her flight.
GIVEN
THE LATENESS of her return, Michela wasn’t surprised to find a darkened house.
She quietly closed the door behind her, put her briefcase and overnight bag on
the couch and went up the stairs. She smiled in relief at the muted glow
emanating from the door to their bedroom. She tiptoed down the wooden-floored
hallway, opened the door and absorbed the scene before her.
“Frederick.
I’m certain when I told you to keep abreast of things over the next few days I
wasn’t referring to my partner. And Natalie, what a surprise. It seems you
weren’t so lonely during my absences after all.” Before either body on the
bed could respond Michela turned and trotted down the stairs. She grabbed her
overnight bag on her way out the door and walked into the moonless night.
Chapter
Three
My
Darling Charlotte,
After
being tossed around like a cork in a bathtub, it was wonderful to again stand
on solid ground. We are ten days into our journey and yesterday morning we
awoke to the comforting view of Macquarie Island. It is a rather barren place.
However, after sailing on churning seas, it was a pleasant interlude. Using our
rowing boats we were able to step onto the shores of the island, with no one to
greet us excepting the penguins. You would love them my dear; with their small
wings and predominantly black and white coloring — they look like gentlemen dressed for dinner. There
are some amazing varieties among them; one possessing a crested plumage on its
head, making it look as if it wore a wonderful wig or, as was the case with one
small bird, as if he had flared eyebrows.
They
share the beach with sea lions and seals and it is no surprise this Island
attracts the oilers that it does, collecting seal oil from these innocents. Of
course, I cannot complain too readily, considering a complement of my fuel is
just that.
Tomorrow
we will put this small interval behind us and set sail for Antarctica. I am
sincerely hoping the weather is kinder to us this time, for I don’t know if the
crew could take any more of the horrendous seasickness they have suffered
through so far.
My
thoughts again go out to you and Robert. Take care, my love,
ERF
Houston,
Texas—2009
THE
SHRILL RINGING of the cell interrupted Michela from her work. “Hello,
Michela speaking.”
“Hey,
sis, how’s everything going?”
Michela
smiled at the sound of Christine’s voice. “They’re going as fine as could
be expected. I’ve spoken with my lawyer and he’s currently discussing the
settlement with Natalie’s lawyer.”
Christine
let out a mock cheer. “I’m glad to see you’ve learnt from your last break
up. I can’t believe you walked out and left that other woman everything.”
“There’s
a lot more to this relationship, especially from a material perspective. My
lawyer’s preliminary meeting with Natalie’s lawyer indicates she’s still hoping
for a reconciliation.”
“You’ve
got to be joking. Surely she can’t think that you’re willing to take her back.
Or are you?”
Michela
collapsed into a chair and dragged her fingers through her hair. “No,
definitely not. I know that over the past few months things weren’t good
between us, but after this I don’t think I could ever trust her again. I expect
the possible Antarctica trip may well have
Flinders Museum.
I’ve
been in touch with Dr. Shaunessy about the initial $100,000 from my Institute
and she was very grateful. But there are some conditions to the Finlayson
Enterprises donation, which I’m sure she won’t be terribly happy about. I think
I’ll give it some thought before I e-mail her. At last, I can feel it coming
together!
Regards,
Michela
She
touched the send button and then called home. No answer. Disappointed, she
returned the PDA to her jacket pocket. Natalie must still be at work. Michela
picked up her briefcase and went into the lounge area. After grabbing a bite to
eat, she made herself comfortable for the long wait before her flight.
GIVEN
THE LATENESS of her return, Michela wasn’t surprised to find a darkened house.
She quietly closed the door behind her, put her briefcase and overnight bag on
the couch and went up the stairs. She smiled in relief at the muted glow
emanating from the door to their bedroom. She tiptoed down the wooden-floored
hallway, opened the door and absorbed the scene before her.
“Frederick.
I’m certain when I told you to keep abreast of things over the next few days I
wasn’t referring to my partner. And Natalie, what a surprise. It seems you
weren’t so lonely during my absences after all.” Before either body on the
bed could respond Michela turned and trotted down the stairs. She grabbed her
overnight bag on her way out the door and walked into the moonless night.
Chapter
Three
My
Darling Charlotte,
After
being tossed around like a cork in a bathtub, it was wonderful to again stand
on solid ground. We are ten days into our journey and yesterday morning we
awoke to the comforting view of Macquarie Island. It is a rather barren place.
However, after sailing on churning seas, it was a pleasant interlude. Using our
rowing boats we were able to step onto the shores of the island, with no one to
greet us excepting the penguins. You would love them my dear; with their small
wings and predominantly black and white coloring — they look like gentlemen dressed for dinner. There
are some amazing varieties among them; one possessing a crested plumage on its
head, making it look as if it wore a wonderful wig or, as was the case with one
small bird, as if he had flared eyebrows.
They
share the beach with sea lions and seals and it is no surprise this Island
attracts the oilers that it does, collecting seal oil from these innocents. Of
course, I cannot complain too readily, considering a complement of my fuel is
just that.
Tomorrow
we will put this small interval behind us and set sail for Antarctica. I am
sincerely hoping the weather is kinder to us this time, for I don’t know if the
crew could take any more of the horrendous seasickness they have suffered
through so far.
My
thoughts again go out to you and Robert. Take care, my love,
ERF
Houston,
Texas—2009
THE
SHRILL RINGING of the cell interrupted Michela from her work. “Hello,
Michela speaking.”
“Hey,
sis, how’s everything going?”
Michela
smiled at the sound of Christine’s voice. “They’re going as fine as could
be expected. I’ve spoken with my lawyer and he’s currently discussing the
settlement with Natalie’s lawyer.”
Christine
let out a mock cheer. “I’m glad to see you’ve learnt from your last break
up. I can’t believe you walked out and left that other woman everything.”
“There’s
a lot more to this relationship, especially from a material perspective. My
lawyer’s preliminary meeting with Natalie’s lawyer indicates she’s still hoping
for a reconciliation.”
“You’ve
got to be joking. Surely she can’t think that you’re willing to take her back.
Or are you?”
Michela
collapsed into a chair and dragged her fingers through her hair. “No,
definitely not. I know that over the past few months things weren’t good
between us, but after this I don’t think I could ever trust her again. I expect
the possible Antarctica trip may well have
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