NOTE: I’m sorry if this block of writing seems a little disjointed, I needed to get Fia’s home from inside my head onto the page. Now I can copy some of the description into my book bible for future reference. Enjoy!

Fia’s home was an inviting nest decorated in warm blues and soft golds. Her furniture looked cared for and cosy, and there were small framed paintings on almost every wall. In the entry area there was a hall stand painted the palest caramel, a navy blue umbrella with a gold duck head in one side and a gnarled old walking stick in the other. On the tiny shelf between the two, sat a faded photograph in a white frame, a tiny bowl filled with marbles and a tea light candle in a glass cup.

There were polished floorboards throughout the house, and Fia had placed soft rugs in neutral colours on the floor in each bedroom. 

From the entry, you could turn right and enter the roomy second bedroom that was decorated in a soft, pastel lilac colour, or turn left and walk directly into the lounge room. Fia always felt it was a flaw in the design that the previous owner had removed walls and taken away the old hall that had gone from the front door to the back door.

Visitors always had to walk through the main lounge room on their way to the kitchen, dining room and open living area.

Once you’d made your way to the back of the house, you were treated to the experience of the green room, as Fia called it. Running all the way across the back of the house and as deep as a bedroom, the green room was filled with lush, healthy indoor plants. From huge pots containing tall greenery to a vintage drinks cart topped with orchids and violets, the room was an impressive way to say hey, I have a green thumb.

A cane chair with a woven peacock back, as tall as the doorway, sat in pride of place at the furthest left wall and wore a stuffed cushion in emerald green. To the right, among the leaves, was a plain, functional park bench with two white cushions. A book lay on the bench, with a bookmark hanging out of the top.

The green room drew you to it so powerfully, that it was possible to miss the entry into the remaining hallway that led to the master bedroom, complete with ensuite, and walk-in wardrobe, three more bedrooms, the main bathroom, a decent sized laundry room and generous built-in cupboards.

Each bedroom was decorated in a different pale pastel colour, with the main being painted Fia’s favourite colour, blue. The others were lemon, peach and green. The main bathroom was all white, with stainless steel taps and fittings. Soft, white towels were stacked on shelves and a delicate fern in a wooden bowl softened the harshness of the room.

The third bedroom, decorated in peach, had the largest window and made a perfect home office. Fia did a lot of videoing in there, with her chair pulled up to the desk that faced the window.

She’d carefully decorated the wall behind her with simple things that wouldn’t distract from whatever message she was delivering. There was a bookcase, a fern in a basket, on a small table to the left and a framed quote on the right.

Her street was pretty quiet, thankfully, so she was able to record video’s whenever it suited her. She generally worked from home every Wednesday, recording a series of video’s, ready for her editor Clair to cut, add intro and extro, and splice in b-roll footage, which was recorded at the office and specific to the content. Clair made it seem so easy, that Fia never once doubted her choice to employ someone to do this task for her. Clair was a good amateur photographer as well and depending on the weather, would go out taking still photo’s for promotions and social media. Some days she texted Fia before work, asking her to bring in a certain outfit so she could wear it in photographs she had planned. The first time she’d done this, Fia had thought it a bit odd, and to be truthful, a bit much, until she’d seen the images. Then she’d told Clair to do it any damn time she pleased.

Her desk in the city office was the best place for ideas and research. Being in the office with her team gave her energy. She loved the way the team bounced ideas off one another, although like any boss, she was sure they could all breathe easier on her Wednesdays at home. Having the boss around had always changed her work flow, when she’d been the one who was employed.

Mia woke up with a doozy of a headache and a sick stomach. She wished she’d stuck to wine, or beer, or cider, because mixing the three had not been a great idea. Ruby had stuck to her like glue, which was starting to be a regular thing. Ever since Ruby had fired her last boyfriend, fired, her word, she’d been at a loose end and that never went well for Mia.

She lurched from the bed to the bathroom and put in some time leaning over the toilet bowl. Not a good look for a modern woman, she thought. Once she could stand without swaying side to side she took a long, hot shower. She hated to get out, but it was necessary.

She scrunched her hair as she held her hairdryer to it, creating long, wavy volume. Sunday hair, she thought.

She was determined to leave the house before Ruby showed up with some urgent reason for the both of them to spend another entire day together. Mia didn’t want to hurt Ruby’s feelings, although lately she’d begun to wonder if her friend had any feelings, other than anger and determination.

Mia noticed that last night she had attempted to set out clothes for today and had failed terribly. It was Sunday, so jeans and a pretty shirt, white runners, hair in a band, and her new yellow purse were in order. What she found draped on the soft chair in the corner of her bedroom was a black lace g-string, the t-shirt she’d worn to help Fia paint her house, a starched black pencil skirt and a pair of hot pink fluffy socks.

Mia shook her head and put each item away in her wardrobe. As she dressed she heard her phone receive two messages. No, no, she thought. I can make it.

She grabbed her purse, put her phone in it without checking her messages and made it out of the flat and into her car. She was cheering to herself as she put the car in reverse and looked in her rear view mirror. She backed out of her parking spot and drove into the street, joining the rest of humanity intent on enjoying as much of their Sunday as possible.

This really is the first day I’ve had to myself for a couple of weeks, she thought, and merged onto the road that led to the highway. A perfect opportunity to visit that gallery I’ve been meaning to get to, down the coast.

Mia turned the radio on and settled in for the drive.

Ruby couldn’t get onto Mia by phone, and it was driving her crazy. She’d almost hit a stupid bike rider who was taking up half her lane.

She had to get to Mia’s place before that woman went off doing some random thing. Left to herself, Mia could be very basic. Ruby felt it was her responsibility to make sure Mia learned how to be a real, modern woman and what better way to teach her than to show her by spending as much time together as possible. Now that Ruby didn’t have that loser boyfriend anymore, there was more time for Mia.

Her car wasn’t in her car space. Where was that woman, and why wasn’t she answering her phone? Ruby drove her car into Mia’s spot and punched her steering wheel. Maybe she was at the shops, grabbing a few groceries. Or visiting her Nanna in the eastern suburbs. Maybe she was visiting Fia, yeah, that would be it. Mia put the car in reverse and backed out, waited for the street to clear both ways and turned right.

Ashleigh and Ryan were up early with matching hangovers. Ryan had to work and Ashley had to drive him there or have no car all day. Ryan jumped into the shower and Ashley fried up bacon and eggs for sandwiches on the go.

“I need my own car,” Ashleigh said with her face in her hands.

“You used to have your own car,” Ryan said, picking up the sandwiches, which Ashleigh had wrapped in aluminium foil. “You sold it to save money.”

“I hate saving money, I want to sleep in. Argh.” Ashleigh said. “You drive us there, I’m sleeping.”

Ryan led the way out the door, grabbing his keys off the hall table. “You’ve got your keys?”

“Yes,”

“Your phone?”

“Yes,”

“Your bag?”

“No”

NOTE: Thanks for reading my blog.