© Melanie Greenwood
“I thought it’d be a big jet.” Narelle said to the steward.
“Not a popular destination.”
“I jumped at the chance to nurse in Cooktown. Sun, sand,surfing. Heaven.”
“You’ll certainly get the sand and sun.”
“ETA four hours.” Narelle settled back to enjoy the flight. This was her first post-grad job and she still couldn’t believe her luck landing this destination.
On arrival, she stood at the jet’s door seeing nothing but red sand as she wilted in the oppressive heat. Entering the terminal she was greeted with ‘Welcome to Cookton.’ Life in the desert had not been her plan.
In response to the photo prompt kindly provided by Melanie Greenwood and the hosting by Rochelle who invites us to write a flash of no more than 100 words and link up via the blue frog on her site. If you don’t want to write have a read as there is always a varied talented selection to read.
About Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist
I began my working career as a reluctant potato peeler whilst waiting to commence my training as a student nurse. On completion I worked mainly in intensive care/coronary care; finishing my hospital career as clinical nurse educator in intensive care. A life changing period as a resort owner/manager on the island of Tanna in Vanuatu was followed by recovery time as a farmer at Bucca Wauka. Having discovered I was no farmer and vowing never again to own an animal bigger than myself I took on the Barrington General Store. Here we also ran a five star restaurant. Working the shop of a day 7am - 6pm followed by the restaurant until late was surprisingly more stressful than Tanna. On the sale we decided to retire and renovate our house with the help of a builder friend. Now believing we knew everything about building we set to constructing our own house. Just finished a coal mine decided to set up in our backyard. Definitely time to retire we moved to Queensland. I had been writing a manuscript for some time. In the desire to complete this I enrolled in a post grad certificate in creative Industries which I completed 2013. I followed this by doing a Master of Arts by research graduating in 2017. Now I live to write and write to live.
Reflections and Nightmares- Irene A Waters (writer and memoirist) 
I always say…research, research!!! Poor Narelle, learning life leassons the hard way. Loved your story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks. I think if nothing else she will read a little more carefully and yes, research.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The best laid plans….
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sadly yes.
LikeLike
Dear Irene,
She’ll have plenty of sun and sand. Not so sure about the surf. Well written with that twist of irony at the end.
One teeny nitpick. Last paragraph, first sentence. “…she stood at the jets door…” You need an apostrophe…ie jet’s.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Rochelle. I’m off to change it now. I appreciate the nit picking. Cheers Irene
LikeLike
Hah! The title makes this brilliant story even better.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Claire.
LikeLike
Oh dear! Only one letter … Still I’m sure she’ll make the best of it. 😦
LikeLiked by 1 person
After the shock perhaps…
LikeLike
Oh, the difference a letter makes — beach or desert!
LikeLiked by 1 person
wave surfing or dune surfing
LikeLike
😀 It’s only funny because it’s fiction. (It is fiction, right?)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Put it this way Sarah it didn’t happen to me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ugh… 😩
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha… I hope the pay is good anyway… there is not a lot to spend your money on in Cookton.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes she’ll come out of it wealthier, perhaps having learnt to surf the dunes rather than the waves, and reading a little more carefully.
LikeLike
Details, details – make all the difference in the world. Hopefully there’s a return flight soon.
LikeLike
She’s stuck. She’s on a contract.
LikeLike
Hopefully she will make the best of it. I’ll bet they have plenty of air conditioned bars! 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
An Australian country town, they are sure too even if there are no other buildings.
LikeLiked by 1 person
As much as I say spontaneity is good… there are times where a little research would be best! Poor thing! Lessons learnt this way usually stay learnt!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely.
LikeLiked by 1 person
oops.
Better than having accidentally wound up in Crooktown.
There’s always a flight back…
Randy
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha!
LikeLike
Oops. Just a little difference… haha I’d be pretty stoked to be at the beach too. At least she’ll still get some sun and sand, I guess. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
The sun tan will be good.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah, the disappointment. Poor woman. Good story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks. Yes a shock I feel but who knows what her future held out there.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, no. That was a critical letter to miss. I hope she has the opportunity to transfer. Great story, Irene.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Amy.
LikeLike
Well, she got two out of three. It would be a shock. Well done, Irene. 🙂 — Suzanne
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Suzanne. My apologies for my tardy reply. Somehow I missed it but it is appreciated. Cheers Irene 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks okay, Irene. I’m always catching up with things. 🙂 — Suzanne
LikeLiked by 1 person