‘You wouldn’t if you knew.’

Simone stands to leave and as she walks away the priest calls to her.

‘Simone.’

She turns to look back at him.

‘The only real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.’

‘Wait, how did you…’

‘As I’ve told you before, my problem is that I know everything.’

‘Everything?’

‘Everything.’

‘And you still believe that there is a place for me in here.’

‘Always.’

One week later Simone watches as the students are collected by there respective parents and the school quickly empties, she sees Mother Immaculata returning to her office and follows her inside.

‘I wanted to give you this.’  She hands her a letter.

‘What is it?’

‘My resignation.’

‘Simone, why?  St Teresa’s is your life.’

‘Not anymore, I want something that this school and you won’t allow me.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘I have to go.’

‘Aren’t you going to apologise?’

‘I’ she pauses, ‘I will never be sorry.’

‘Simone.’

When Simone reaches the door her Aunt asks her a question, ‘Is this about Amanda?’

‘No.’

‘Annabelle?’

Simone turns back to look at her Aunt.

‘Yes.’

‘How could you let something like this happen?’

‘I don’t know.’

‘But surely there must have been a moment when, you thought to yourself, is this really the right thing to do?’

‘That would have been every moment, I’m not trying to say what I did was right.’

‘It’s not right.’  She bangs her hand down on the table.

‘I don’t expect you to understand, but I love her.’

‘If you leave this school for her, you may no longer call me your Aunt.’

‘Goodbye, Mother Immaculata.’

Simone pulls up alongside a cream convertible car, not recognising the plates.  She grabs her bags and walks towards the beach house.  She hesitates before rounding the corner, when she finally raises the courage she steps onto her balcony only to find it empty.  Disappointed she moves towards the door but as she goes to place the key into the lock she hears a guitar being played.  She looks out over the beach and notices a figure sitting alone on the sand.  

Distracted in her music Annabelle fails to notice Simone walking up behind her.

She jumps when Simone speaks, ‘Nice car.’

She turns to look at Simone with a radiating smile, ‘I guess both our Mothers had something to feel guilty for.’

Simone sits down beside Annabelle.

‘Mother Immaculata knows about us.’

‘You told her?’

‘She already knew, about you and Amanda, she just chose not to see it.’

‘Wow.’

Annabelle stands up, pulling Simone with her.  She drags her down towards the ocean.

‘No, Annabelle, don’t, please.’

‘Come on Simone.’

Simone allows herself to be pulled into waist high water, when they stop Annabelle grabs her and pulls her into a soft kiss.  When they part she whispers.

‘I love you.’ 

Simone smiles, ‘I love you too Annabelle.’

FOR ONE HUMAN BEING TO LOVE ANOTHER; THAT IS PERHAPS THE MOST DIFFICULT OF ALL OUR TASKS…

THE WORK FOR WHICH ALL OTHER WORK IS BUT PREPERATION.

– RAINER MARIA RILKE