The Deep End—S2¶
— Robyn —¶
😄🧵💛👭 💞 🖤 🍓 🌶 🚪 🔑 🛋 🫧 🌩 🌧 🧵 🪡 👗 👚 👜 👠 🩰 💄 💋 🎻 📒 ✂ 🩸 💧 🚺 ⚧ ♀ ⚜
Structure¶
[ Celeste ] Beat 1 — Entry
Celeste misses Charli, Charli is a bit down from day's experiences.
Beat 2 — Inciting Shift (PRIMARY)
They talk on video-link. Sarah and Charli share day's challenges. Sarah tries to reassure.
Beat 3 — Internal Calibration
Celeste realises Charli is less equipped as woman in public space than she thought, worries. Celeste understands Sarah's primary objective is setting up Wardrobe 2.0.
Beat 4 — Choice
Charli wears a brave smile, tries to convince Celeste she'll be fine. Celeste smiles warm, tender (yet feels dread) (internally) wondering whether to have Charli return home.
Beat 5 — Power Adjustment (TURN)
Sarah speaks briskly, confidently. Celeste cedes to Sarah's judgement, for now. Sarah and Celeste (privately) discuss transphobia, need for mentoring. Sarah has an idea: age-contemporary mentoring. Sarah would vet for transphobic inclinations.
Beat 6 — Exit Note
The tightness in Celeste chest is still there.
Structure 2nd Go¶
[ Celeste ] Beat 1 — Entry
Unlocking the front door to our little flat made a "You're in the wrong home" click. The silence was as bad as an accusation.
Celeste's breath comes quicker as Charli's face appears on screen.
Beat 2 — Inciting Shift (PRIMARY)
Then, her stomach sinks: his smile is telling untruths, his body betrays the smile. His happiness over the perfume has a wobbly edge he seems intent on hiding.
Beat 3 — Internal Calibration
(Later, when Sarah and Charli share day's challenges. Celeste realises Charli is less equipped as woman in public spaces than she thought.) Celeste speaks slowly, cautiously. "Did we screw up? Are we pushing her too fast?"
Sarah: "Look, I figured there would be little gaffs like this. How is she to know? She'll pick it up-she's quick." Sarah wore the same smile she did when Mara put her on sorting pins: "What, me worry?" Celeste feels herself tighten anyway. Asks: "Is this too much for her?" An ache in the jaw reminds her that we do not train by ambush.
Beat 4 — Choice
Earlier, Charli's smile had appeared a fraction of a second late, as if prompted. Celeste wonders if it's homesickness or... when she asks Charli what she thought of the trip, Charli looks down, biting her lip. Celeste's smile freezes as her eyebrows slowly rise. Charli hides behind: "I did a few stupid things and... I just miss you..." and a tear runs down her cheek.
Beat 5 — Power Adjustment (TURN)
Chatting to Sarah, they both speak briskly at first, confidently. Business at hand: initial site visit shared. The ache Celeste felt eases. Sarah touches on Charli's little challenges with an off-handed grin and a wink. "She'll be fine, Celeste. Just for a month." Celeste's look is sharp, so Sarah adds: "Got an idea. Charli needs someone her own age to bring her up to speed." Celeste feels a loosening in her shoulders the more she talks to Sarah, agrees with Sarah's ideas. Sarah and Celeste (privately) discuss transphobia, need for mentoring. Sarah has an idea: age-contemporary mentoring. Sarah would vet for transphobic inclinations.
Beat 6 — Exit Note
The tightness in Celeste chest is still there, but for a different reason. "I won't have my beautiful woman to cuddle tonight." She allows herself to cry, softly. Scene ends.
Sensory Ends¶
Facial He surprised his face with a wide smile. Her smile melted slowly. Her smile froze as her look sharpened. She held her slowly fracturing smile a little longer. Her mouth was asking her eyes fo permission to smile. Her mouth fell slowly open, as if unattended.
Body His head snapped back as he frowned. She pulled her chin into the air, her eyes narrowing. His eyelids slid shut under their own weight. An involuntary chuckle almost made it out into the open. She bit a thoughtful fingernail.
Prose 1st Go¶
😄🧵💛👭 💞 🖤 🍓 🌶 🚪 🔑 🛋 🫧 🌩 🌧 🧵 🪡 👗 👚 👜 👠 🩰 💄 💋 🎻 📒 ✂ 🩸 💧 🚺 🌿 — —
[ Celeste ] Beat 1 — Entry
The lock to the front door to our little flat was too loud, and then after I closed the door, the silence felt like an accusation. I tried a sigh to undo the tightness in my body. It didn't work. Flicked on the kettle—there's always tea.
It's just for a month.
I threw my bag into a corner and curled up on the couch with my lecture notes. They made as much sense as if someone else had scribbled them.
I stared at my phone, wondering if my phone was defective. I was sure I'd been 'studying' for longer than ten minutes.
Sarah has texted seven-thirty pm. It was six thirty. The phone sang an inane song as I dialled. I felt my breath come quicker as Charli's face appears on screen.
Beat 2 — Inciting Shift (PRIMARY)
And then, my stomach sank a little. Her smile was a bit pinched, her eyes betraying her lips.
"Hey, sweetie..." I began.
Her lower lip quivered.
"Hi Celeste," she said softly.
"How was the flight?" I asked with forced cheeriness.
She nodded quickly and swallowed.
"Okay." The pause told me more than her words. Then, softly: "I really miss you."
My smile tightened, even while my eyes softened.
"I miss you too, sweetie..." I managed. I forced myself to move to neutral ground. "Sarah texted me that Queensland's very different."
Charli nodded, a little grin forming.
"Smelly-different. Lots of people smoke. And deodorant and perfume..." She paused. I cocked my head, eyebrows flicked up. Charli's face was suddenly a mask.
"Perfume?" I prompted gently.
Her face fell as she bit her lip. Finally, she looked cautiously at me.
"I..." She swallowed. "I screwed up today, Celeste. Like, so bad..."
"How?" She was shrinking into herself again, the Charlie of old. "Charli, tell me something," I said clearly. "Do you think you're not allowed to make mistakes?"
"Not epic ones like this one!"
"Did someone die? Were any animals hurt by this? Or is this a mistake that could have happened to anyone, of any age, but it just so happens it was you who made it?" Her jaw was tight. "Did you think you wouldn't make any mistakes?"
A tear formed in her eye. Words burbled out about finding the perfume vial, how much she missed me, how the perfume so reminded her of me and then, how that memory was spoilt. Her voice faltered as she finally looked at me again. I pressed my lips together.
"You do know what the name of the perfume means, don't you?"
"I adore..." she croaked.
"And I do. I adore you, Charli. Tonight, wear my perfume to bed." I pushed the unwilling corners of my mouth up. "And tonight, I'm going to wear your t-shirt, so I can smell you. Because, as much as you miss me, I miss you more."
She stared wordlessly at me. Finally, her head did a little twitch.
"Really?"
I nodded quickly, flicking away a disobedient tear. I gripped the phone and forced a deep breath.
"What are you doing tomorrow?" I said.
"Sarah and I are going to meet Fiona's girls... I mean, her staff." The name 'Sarah' popped up above his head. "We've done the site visit: it's still not ready. Tradies everywhere. We didn't want to get in the way so we soft-of didn't stay long."
"Did Fiona have any updates on when the crates arrive?"
"Day after tomorrow, she said." Her smile softened. "She's really nice... sort-of like mum, in a way."
"Have you eaten?"
Charli shook her head.
"Please do, Charli. Even if it's just a piece of fruit. promise me you will."
"I promise. I feel better now, just because..." My head bobbed. I felt the same way.
"Fruit. Shower. Perfume. Sleep. And tomorrow, be you, be in your space. You have a lot to offer... focus on that."
She nodded with each syllable, absorbing my words as if I were the Dalai Lama.
"I love you, Charli."
It seemed odd to say that now: I'd never said it to her, face to face. Her eyes were deep and dark.
"I love you too, Celeste."
Beat 3 — Internal Calibration
The phone sat on my lap, warm and quiet. realises Charli is less equipped as woman in public spaces than she thought.) Celeste speaks slowly, cautiously. "Did we screw up? Are we pushing her too fast?"
Sarah: "Look, I figured there would be little gaffs like this. How is she to know? She'll pick it up-she's quick." Sarah wore the same smile she did when Mara put her on sorting pins: "What, me worry?" Celeste feels herself tighten anyway. Asks: "Is this too much for her?" An ache in the jaw reminds her that we do not train by ambush.
Beat 4 — Choice
Earlier, Charli's smile had appeared a fraction of a second late, as if prompted. Celeste wonders if it's homesickness or... when she asks Charli what she thought of the trip, Charli looks down, biting her lip. Celeste's smile freezes as her eyebrows slowly rise. Charli hides behind: "I did a few stupid things and... I just miss you..." and a tear runs down her cheek.
Beat 5 — Power Adjustment (TURN)
Chatting to Sarah, they both speak briskly at first, confidently. Business at hand: initial site visit shared. The ache Celeste felt eases. Sarah touches on Charli's little challenges with an off-handed grin and a wink. "She'll be fine, Celeste. Just for a month." Celeste's look is sharp, so Sarah adds: "Got an idea. Charli needs someone her own age to bring her up to speed." Celeste feels a loosening in her shoulders the more she talks to Sarah, agrees with Sarah's ideas. Sarah and Celeste (privately) discuss transphobia, need for mentoring. Sarah has an idea: age-contemporary mentoring. Sarah would vet for transphobic inclinations.
Beat 6 — Exit Note
The tightness in Celeste chest is still there, but for a different reason. "I won't have my beautiful woman to cuddle tonight." She allows herself to cry, softly. Scene ends.
Revised Tightened Pass¶
26-03-01¶
[ Celeste ]
Beat 1 — Entry
The front-door lock was too loud in the tiny hallway. When I pulled the door shut, the quiet inside the flat didn’t settle, it judged.
I tried to sigh the tension out of my ribs. It stayed put.
Kettle on. Tea. There was always tea.
It was just for a month.
I threw my bag into the corner like no longer relevant and folded myself onto the couch with my lecture notes. The lines stuck onto the page instead of shaping my head.
I checked my phone, then checked it again, irritated at it like it had lied to me. I was sure I’d been “studying” for longer than ten minutes.
Sarah had texted 7:30 pm.
It was 6:30.
My thumb hovered, then I hit call before I could bargain with myself. The phone sang its inane little tune. When Charli’s face came up on the screen, my breath sped up — stupidly, instantly — like my body was a dog that had heard a familiar car pull into the driveway.
Beat 2 — Inciting Shift (PRIMARY)
Then my stomach dropped. Not far. Just enough.
Her smile was there, but it was held too tight. Her eyes weren’t sharing the moment.
“Hey, sweetie…” I heard myself start, soft and careful.
Her lower lip trembled.
“Hi, Celeste,” she said, barely above a whisper.
“How was the flight?” I asked, bright on purpose.
She nodded too fast and swallowed. “Okay.”
The pause did the talking.
And then, quietly: “I really miss you.”
Something pinched behind my cheekbones. I kept my mouth steady.
“I miss you too,” I said. “Sarah tells me Queensland’s… different.”
Charli nodded. A small grin tried to form.
“Smelly-different,” she said. “And lots of people smoke. And haven't heard of deodorant. Never mind perfume…”
She stopped.
I tipped my head. “Perfume?”
Her face went careful. She bit her lip and finally looked at me like I might snap.
“I…” She swallowed again. “I screwed up today, Celeste. Like—so bad.”
“How?” The word came out clean, but my hands had tightened on the phone. She was shrinking — the old Charlie shape — and it made something in me go hard and protective at the same time.
“Charli.” I kept my voice level. “Listen to me. Are you allowed to make mistakes?”
She looked away. “Not epic ones like this.”
I exhaled through my nose. “Is anyone hurt?”
“No.”
“Good.” I let that land. “Then we’re in the category of: 'learn mode'. Not 'catastrophe'. Tell me what happened.”
The words came in a rush—finding the perfume vial, how it reminded her of me so sharply it hurt, how she’d clung to that memory and then—how it had been spoiled. Her voice thinned. When she looked back at me, her eyes were wet.
I pressed my lips together, tasting the restraint.
“You know what the name means,” I said.
Her throat worked. “I adore…”
“And I do.” My voice softened, but steady. “I adore you.” I lifted my chin a fraction. “Tonight, wear my perfume to bed.”
Her eyes widened.
“And tonight,” I added, “I’m going to wear your t-shirt. I want the smell of you here.”
She stared at me as if she’d misheard. A tiny twitch ran through her head—the start of a nod that didn’t trust itself.
“Really?”
“Yes.” I blinked hard once and kept my gaze steady. “Really.”
I drew a breath I could feel all the way to my pelvis and held it there.
“What are you doing tomorrow?”
“Sarah and I are going to meet Fiona’s girls—” she corrected herself quickly, “her staff. We did the new Wardrobe site visit. It’s still not ready—tradies everywhere. We didn’t want to get in the way, so we didn’t stay long.”
“Did Fiona say when the crates arrive?”
“Day after tomorrow.” Her smile eased a little. “She’s really nice. Sort of like Mum, in a way.”
“Have you eaten?”
Charli shook her head.
“Then do that next.” My tone left no room for negotiation. “Even if it’s just a banana. Promise me.”
“I promise.” Her voice steadied. “I feel better now, just because…”
“Good.” I didn’t smile, not fully—I let my eyes do it instead. “Fruit. Shower. Perfume. Sleep. Tomorrow: be in your space. You’ve got a lot to offer. Focus on that.”
She nodded with each phrase, taking it in like I’d handed her a list of tasks for a new Wardrobe costume.
“I love you, Charli,” I said.
The words were barely out—I took a sharp breath in. Out loud, they tasted odd in my mouth. I’d never even said them to her face-to-face, only in the secret parts of my mind.
Her gaze held mine, deep and dark.
“I love you too, Celeste.”
Beat 3 — Internal Calibration
The phone sat warm on my lap, suddenly heavy.
"Weak Rails" part 2¶
😄🧵💛👭 💞 🖤 🍓 🌶 🚪 🔑 🛋 🫧 🌩 🌧 🧵 🪡 👗 👚 👜 👠 🩰 💄 💋 🎻 📒 ✂ 🩸 💧 🚺 —
Beat 3 — Internal Calibration
The phone sat warm on my lap, suddenly heavy. I stared unseeing into middle space, empty. For the second time that month, my insides seemed to be collapsing into themselves.
My phone buzzed again.
Sarah.
I took in a deep breath and tapped my phone. Sarah was not doing a video call.
"Hey!" Her voice sounded cheerful, positive. So Sarah, no matter what.
"How are things, Sarah?" I said.
"Hey, could be worse. Fiona was under-estimating the work still needed doing at the Wardrobe site, though. And I have no idea who consulted on this facility: no proper extraction for the steam irons. This place is already humid as blazes. Their toenails are going to curl in there. Powerpoints are too few, too feeble and in the wrong place." I could see her shaking golden tresses. "I could go on, but anyway... I'll sort it. Not going to make a lot of friends amongst the tradies, that's certain."
"And the crates?"
"No shelving. And the rails are laughable—pre-teen dance recital costumes would struggle. And, like, three?" She snorted. "So yeah, a bit of adjusting to do, there."
I gripped my phone a bit harder as I got up to flip on the kettle.
"Anything for Charli to be doing yet?" I asked.
For a second I thought I'd lost connection. Then:
"Yes and no. Charli is..." I heard a soft sigh—unlike Sarah to be at loss for words. "Look, this is all a bit new... for both of us." I waited, watching little bubbles form at the bottom of the glass kettle. Finally: "I do think she'll get up to speed, but I'll be honest, Celeste, she's a bit of a babe in the woods. Not just here—in the world outside Wardrobe."
I congealed.
"As bad as that?" I took a breath through my mouth, and closed my eyes. The kettle gave a merry 'ding', content to have done its duty properly. I poured the boiling water of my teabag.
"I'm not going to sugar-coat it, Celeste. She's got a lot to learn about... things. And I won't be able to set up their Wardrobe properly and mind young Charli."
"So, should we have her come home?"
The phone exploded. "No! No-no-no, Celeste, she has to learn." She cleared her throat as I settled nerveless into a chair. "Look, I've got an idea. So, I sent Charli to our accommodations with our bags this arvo—figured she'd had enough. And on the site, I met the new girls." She chuckled. "They're really sweet. I think they'll get along great with Charli."
I pressed my lips together.
"Your idea?"
"Hang on, I'm getting to that," she protested. My breath came out in an impatient gust. "So, one of them, Brittany—she's really sharp, smart as a whip, right? She'd be the team leader, that one. Anyway, I pulled her aside and—well, told her that I needed her help."
"Yes?"
"Hear me out. I sort-of let her know that this was Charli's first trip out of her little home town and that she needed someone to sort-of..." My breath caught. "...keep her out of trouble. You know. Boys and all that."
"Sarah!"
"I know, I know. Look, Charli's not a dummy. She's a quick read, just... new at this. Brittany's from Sydney. City girls are clued up. I think Charli will do fine. And," she added, her tone suddenly quite serious, "the place definitely needs her! There are things she knows that I couldn't teach, even if I had the time."
I took a sip of my tea.
Sarah had a point.
"And you're sure she'll be safe?" I said, trying not to sound more desperate than I felt.
"Celeste, she'll mostly be in Wardrobe. Brittany promised me she'd stay close to Charli."
Beat 4 — Choice
"Okay. Let's do one day," I said, finally. "I'll have a chat to her tomorrow night, see how she went. If she still wants to stay—fine." I stared out the window at the fading light, still seeing Charli's face. "If she doesn't..."
Beat 5 — Power Adjustment (TURN)
"Right-ho, she doesn't. I have confidence in her—she's a trier."
Beat 6 — Exit Note
I closed my eyes. Charli's face was imprinted there—the brave little smile, the tired eyes. I wished I shared Sarah's confidence.
Scene 2 "Weak Rails"¶
Final Polish¶
😄🧵💛👭 💞 🖤 🍓 🌶 🚪 🔑 🛋 🫧 🌩 🌧 🧵 🪡 👗 👚 👜 👠 🩰 💄 💋 🎻 📒 ✂ 🩸 💧 🚺 ⚧ ♀ ⚜
[ 26-03-02 ]
💞 Weak Rails 🫧
[ Celeste ]
The front-door lock was too loud in the tiny hallway. When I pulled the door shut, the quiet inside the flat didn’t settle—it judged. I sighed. The tension did not loosen in my ribs.
Flicked the kettle on—there's always tea.
It was just for a month.
I threw my bag into a corner and curled up on the couch with my lecture notes. They made as much sense as if someone else had scribbled them.
I checked my phone, then checked it again, wondering if it was defective. I was sure I'd been 'studying' for longer than ten minutes.
Sarah has texted: "7:30 pm".
It was 6:30.
My thumb hovered. I let out a quick puff and dialled. The phone painted moiré. I felt my breath come quicker instantly as Charli's face appears on screen.
And then, my stomach sank a little. She smiled at me, but her eyes betrayed her lips.
"Hey, sweetie..." I said, softly, carefully.
Her lower lip quivered.
"Hi Celeste," she said, barely above a whisper.
"How was the flight?" I asked, deliberately bright.
She nodded quickly and swallowed.
"Okay." A pause said more. Then, quietly: "I really miss you."
Something gripped my smile, even while my eyes softened.
"I miss you too, sweetie..." I said. "Sarah texted me that Queensland's very different."
Charli nodded. A little grin tried to form.
"Smelly-different. Lots of people smoke. And deodorant's optional. And perfume..." She paused.
"Perfume?" I prompted gently. Charli's face had gone careful. Her face fell as she bit her lip. She looked at me like I might snap.
"I..." She swallowed. "I screwed up today, Celeste. Like, so bad..."
"How?" The word came out clear, but my hands had tightened on the phone. She was shrinking—the old Charlie shape—and it made something in me go hard and protective at the same time.
“Charli.” I kept my voice level. “Listen to me. Are you allowed to make mistakes?”
"Not epic ones like this one!" She wasn't looking at me.
"Anyone hurt?"
Her jaw was tight. "No, of course not..."
"Right, then!" I said. I let that land. “Then we’re in the category of: learning curve. Not catastrophe. Tell me what happened.”
The words came in a rush — finding the perfume vial, how it reminded her of me so sharply it hurt, how she’d clung to that memory and then—how it had been spoiled. Her voice thinned. When she looked back at me, her eyes were wet.
"You do know what the name means, don't you?"
She swallowed. "I adore..."
"And I do." I kept my voice steady, clear. "I adore you, Charli. Tonight, wear my perfume to bed." I pushed my chin up slightly. "And tonight, I'm going to wear your t-shirt, so I can smell you." I felt a soft smile ease the tension in my neck. "Because, as much as you miss me, I miss you more."
She stared wordlessly at me. Finally, her head did a little turn, as if she'd misheard.
"Really?"
I nodded quickly, blinking hard once. I forced a deep breath I could feel in my toes.
"What are you doing tomorrow?"
"Sarah and I are going to meet Fiona's girls... I mean, her staff." A banner with the name 'Sarah' popped up above his head. "She's done the site visit: it's still not ready. Tradies everywhere."
"Did Fiona have any updates on when the crates arrive?"
"Day after tomorrow, she said." Her smile eased. "She's really nice. Sort-of like Mum, in a way."
"Have you eaten?"
Charli shook her head.
"Please do, Charli. Even if it's just an apple or something. Promise me you will."
"I promise. I feel better now, just because..."
"Good." My head bobbed. "Fruit. Shower. Perfume. Sleep. And tomorrow: be in your space. You have a lot to offer. Focus on that."
She nodded with each phrase, taking it in like I’d handed her a list of tasks for a new Wardrobe costume.
“I love you, Charli,” I said.
The words were barely out—I took a sharp breath in. Out loud, they tasted odd in my mouth. I’d never even said them to her face-to-face, only in the secret parts of my mind.
Her gaze held mine, deep and dark.
“I love you too, Celeste.”
The phone sat warm on my lap, suddenly heavy. I stared at nothing in particular. My stomach had that folding-in feeling again — the same one I’d had at the airport, watching Charli walk away.
My phone buzzed again.
Sarah.
I took in a deep breath and tapped my phone. No video call.
"Hey!" Her voice sounded cheerful, bright. So Sarah.
"How are things, Sarah?" I said.
"Hey, could be worse. Fiona was under-estimating the work still needed doing at the Wardrobe site, though. And I have no idea who consulted on this facility: no proper extraction for the steam irons. This place is already humid as blazes. Their toenails are going to curl in there. Power-points are too few, too feeble and in the wrong place." I could picture her pushing hair off her face, lips pursed. "I could go on, but anyway... I'll sort it. Not going to make a lot of friends amongst the tradies, mind."
"And the crates?"
"No shelving. And the rails are laughable—pre-teen dance recital costumes would struggle. And there's, what, three?" She snorted. "So yes, a bit of adjusting needs doing, here."
My grip tightened on my phone as I got up to flick the kettle on.
"Anything for Charli to be doing yet?" I asked.
A pause—long enough to feel.
"Yes and no. Charli is..." I heard a soft sigh—Sarah, at a loss. "Look, this is all a bit new... for both of us." I waited, watching little bubbles form at the bottom of the glass kettle. "I do think she'll get up to speed," she said finally, "but I'll be honest, Celeste, she's a bit of a babe in the woods. Just—in the world outside Wardrobe."
I stiffened.
"As bad as that?" I kept my voice level—it mattered—but closed my eyes.
"I'm not going to sugar-coat it, Celeste. She's got a lot to learn about... things. And I won't be able to set up their Wardrobe properly and mind young Charli."
The kettle gave a merry 'ding', content to have done its duty properly. I poured the boiling water of my teabag.
"So, should we have her come home?"
"No!" Sarah’s voice had gone sharp. "No-no-no, Celeste, she has to learn." She cleared her throat as I settled nerveless into a chair.
"Listen, I've got an idea. I sent Charli to our accommodations with our bags this arvo. Figured she'd had enough. And on the site, I met the new girls." She chuckled. "They're really sweet. I think they'll take to her."
I pressed my lips together.
"Your idea?"
"Hang on, I'm getting to that." My impatience came out in an impatient gust. "So, one of them, Brittany—she's really sharp, smart as a whip. She'd be the team leader, I reckon." He dropped her voice. "I pulled her aside and told her that I needed her help."
"Yes?"
"I told that this was Charli's first trip out of her little home town and that she needed someone to..." Sarah rushed the next bit. "...keep her out of trouble. You know. Boys, and all that."
"Sarah!"
"I know, I know. Look, Charli's not a dummy. She's a quick read, just—new at this. Brittany's from Sydney. City girls are clued up. Besides," she added, her tone sobered, "the place needs her! There are things she knows that I can't teach, even if I had the time."
I took a sip of my tea. Tasted like hot water.
Sarah had a point.
"And you're sure she'll be safe?" I said, hating how desperate I sounded.
"Celeste, she'll mostly be in Wardrobe. Brittany promised me she'd stay close."
"Okay. Let's do one day," I said, finally. "I'll have a chat to her tomorrow night, see how she went. If she still wants to stay—fine." I stared out the window at the fading light. "If she doesn't..."
"Right-ho. Then she doesn't." Sarah softened a little. "I have faith in her—she's a trier."
I closed my eyes and saw Charli's brave little smile, and the tiredness behind it.
I wanted Sarah's confidence.
I didn't have it.
Published¶
2-Mar-2026¶
💞 Weak Rails 🫧
[ Celeste ]
The front-door lock was too loud in the tiny hallway. When I pulled the door shut, the quiet inside the flat didn’t settle—it judged. I sighed. The tension did not loosen in my ribs.
Flicked the kettle on—there's always tea.
It was just for a month.
I threw my bag into a corner and curled up on the couch with my lecture notes. They made as much sense as if someone else had scribbled them.
I checked my phone, then checked it again, wondering if it was defective. I was sure I'd been 'studying' for longer than ten minutes.
Sarah has texted: "7:30 pm".
It was 6:30.
My thumb hovered. I let out a quick puff and dialled. The phone painted moiré. I felt my breath come quicker instantly as Charli's face appears on screen.
And then, my stomach sank a little. She smiled at me, but her eyes betrayed her lips.
Scene02a "Hey, sweetie..." I said, softly, carefully.
Her lower lip quivered.
"Hi Celeste," she said, barely above a whisper.
"How was the flight?" I asked, deliberately bright.
She nodded quickly and swallowed.
"Okay." A pause said more. Then, quietly: "I really miss you."
Something gripped my smile, even while my eyes softened.
"I miss you too, sweetie..." I said. "Sarah texted me that Queensland's very different."
Charli nodded. A little grin tried to form.
"Smelly-different. Lots of people smoke. And deodorant's optional. And perfume..." She paused.
"Perfume?" I prompted gently. Charli's face had gone careful. Her face fell as she bit her lip. She looked at me like I might snap.
"I..." She swallowed. "I screwed up today, Celeste. Like, so bad..."
"How?" The word came out clear, but my hands had tightened on the phone. She was shrinking—the old Charlie shape—and it made something in me go hard and protective at the same time.
“Charli.” I kept my voice level. “Listen to me. Are you allowed to make mistakes?”
"Not epic ones like this one!" She wasn't looking at me.
"Anyone hurt?"
Her jaw was tight. "No, of course not..."
"Right, then!" I said. I let that land. “Then we’re in the category of: 'learning curve'. Not 'catastrophe'. Tell me what happened.”
The words came in a rush—finding the perfume vial, how it reminded her of me so sharply it hurt, how she’d clung to that memory and then—how it had been spoiled. Her voice thinned. When she looked back at me, her eyes were wet.
"You do know what the name means, don't you?" I said.
She swallowed. "I adore..."
"And I do." I kept my voice steady, clear. "I adore you, Charli. Tonight, wear my perfume to bed." I pushed my chin up slightly. "And tonight, I'm going to wear your t-shirt, so I can smell you." I felt a soft smile ease the tension in my neck. "Because, as much as you miss me, I miss you more."
She stared wordlessly at me. Finally, her head did a little turn, as if she'd misheard.
"Really?"
I nodded quickly, blinking hard once. I forced a deep breath I could feel in my toes.
"What are you doing tomorrow?"
"Sarah and I are going to meet Fiona's girls... I mean, her staff." A banner with the name 'Sarah' popped up above his head. "She's done the site visit: it's still not ready. Tradies everywhere."
"Did Fiona have any updates on when the crates arrive?"
"Day after tomorrow, she said." Her smile eased. "She's really nice. Sort-of like Mum, in a way."
"Have you eaten?"
Charli shook her head.
"Please do, Charli. Even if it's just an apple or something. Promise me you will."
"I promise. I feel better now, just because..."
"Good." My head bobbed. "Fruit. Shower. Perfume. Sleep. And tomorrow: be in your space. You have a lot to offer. Focus on that."
She nodded with each phrase, taking it in like I’d handed her a list for a new costume.
“I love you, Charli,” I said.
The words were barely out—I took a sharp breath in. Out loud, they tasted odd in my mouth. I’d never even said them to her face-to-face, only in the secret parts of my mind.
Her gaze held mine, deep and dark.
“I love you too, Celeste.”
The phone sat warm on my lap, suddenly heavy. I stared at nothing in particular. My stomach had that folding-in feeling again—the same one I’d had at the airport, watching Charli walk away.
My phone buzzed again.
Sarah.
I took in a deep breath and tapped my phone. No video call.
"Hey!" Her voice sounded cheerful, bright. So Sarah.
"How are things, Sarah?" I said.
"Hey, could be worse. Fiona was under-estimating the work still needed doing at the Wardrobe site, though. And I have no idea who signed off on this. No proper extraction for the steam irons. This place is already humid as blazes. Their toenails are going to curl in there. Power-points are too few, too feeble and in the wrong places." I could picture her pushing hair off her face, lips pursed. "I could go on, but anyway... I'll sort it. Not going to make a lot of friends amongst the tradies, mind."
"And the crates?"
"No shelving. And the rails are laughable—pre-teen dance costumes would struggle. And there's, what, three?" She snorted. "So yes, a bit of adjusting needs doing, here."
My grip tightened on my phone as I got up to flick the kettle on.
"Anything for Charli to be doing yet?" I asked.
A pause—long enough to feel.
"Yes and no. Charli is..." I heard a soft sigh—Sarah, at a loss. "Look, this is all a bit new... for both of us." I waited, watching little bubbles form at the bottom of the glass kettle. "I do think she'll get up to speed," she said finally, "but I'll be honest, Celeste, she's a bit of a babe in the woods. Just—in the world outside Wardrobe."
I stiffened.
"As bad as that?" I kept my voice level—it mattered—but closed my eyes.
"I'm not going to sugar-coat it, Celeste. She's got a lot to learn about... things. And I won't be able to set up their Wardrobe properly and mind young Charli."
The kettle gave a merry 'ding', content to have done its duty properly. I poured the boiling water over my teabag.
"Should we have her come home?"
"No!" Sarah’s voice had gone sharp. "No-no-no, Celeste, she has to learn." She cleared her throat as I settled nerveless into a chair.
"Listen, I've got an idea. I sent Charli to our accommodations with our bags this arvo. Figured she'd had enough. And on the site, I met the new girls." She chuckled. "They're really sweet. I think they'll take to her."
I pressed my lips together.
"Your idea?"
"Hang on, I'm getting to that." My impatience came out in an aggravated gust. "So, one of them, Brittany—she's really sharp, smart as a whip. She'd be the team leader, I reckon." He dropped her voice. "I pulled her aside and told her that I needed her help."
"Yes?"
"I told that this was Charli's first trip away from home and that she needed someone to..." Sarah rushed the next bit. "...keep her out of trouble. You know. Boys, and all that."
"Sarah!"
"I know, I know. Look, Charli's not a dummy. She's a quick read, just—new at this. And Brittany's from Sydney. City girls are clued up. Besides," she added, her tone sobered, "the place needs her! There are things she knows that I can't teach, even if I had the time."
I took a sip of my tea. Tasted like hot water.
Sarah had a point.
"And you're sure she'll be safe?" I said, hating how desperate I sounded.
"Celeste, she'll be in Wardrobe, most of the time. Brittany's promised me she'd stay close."
I took moment. Then, decided.
"Okay," I said. "Let's do one day. I'll have a chat to her tomorrow night, see how she went. If she still wants to stay—fine." I stared out the window at the fading light. "If she doesn't..."
"Right-ho. Then she doesn't." Sarah softened a little. "I have faith in her—she's a trier."
I closed my eyes and saw Charli's brave little smile, and the tiredness behind it.
I wanted Sarah's confidence.
I didn't have it.