Balancing the parcels while opening the door with a finger, Sage shuffled into her apartment and kicked the door shut with her muddy boot, sighing as she noted the mud mark on the door.

"Another thing I'll have to clean if I want my deposit back," she mumbled while walking into the kitchen area and pushing the bags onto the counter. The blinking light of the answering machine had her groaning, "I should have expected it since I ignored a lot of calls today."

Pushing the rewind, Sage unpacked the bags, leaving the goods on the counter as she returned to the machine and pressed play. Returning to put the groceries away as her mother's voice filled the room. Closing the fridge, Sage leaned on the door, resting her head on the cold metal, and closed her eyes.

"Sage dear, it's your mother here. Please arrange flowers and food for Aunt Sam's party next weekend? We've all been invited, and since you're the only one in the family who doesn't have responsibilities, we only think it's fair that you do something toward the event."

Sighing, Sage braced her arms against the counter, silently counting to ten and continuing to twenty before she gave up and continued packing the rest of the shopping. The following message had her frowning and staring at the machine, a jar of pickles suspended in midair.

"Sage babe, Martin here … you didn't call me back last week about that thing I asked you to. I know we're not running together, but we can still hang out as friends … right?"

Shaking her head, she squashed the impulse to pour water over the innocent device while pushing the jar into an overhead cupboard. When would he ever get the message that it was over?

"Two years should be enough time," Sage said, sighing, as another message from Martin had her throwing her hands in the air as she moved toward the bathroom, "doesn't get the hint … just … arrrrgggg."

Another two messages from her mother about her Aunt's party and additional things she needed to bring filled the gap between running a bubble bath and pulling a large glass from a glass-fronted cupboard and filling it halfway with her favourite red wine. Looking at the glass, she acknowledged it was a lot, but the following three messages confirmed her instinct that she would need it. Leaving the machine running, Sage locked her front door and carefully placed her glass on the wide lip at the back of the bath. She stripped off her suddenly suffocating clothes and sank into the hot, foamy water, sighing as she relished the scent and luxurious feeling wrapping around her. Reaching for her wine, she sipped deeply as her machine worked through the messages from her sister-in-law, father, ex-boyfriend and mother again.

This was a nightly thing. The list of requirements and expectations never got shorter. It was frustrating that their understanding of the demands of the job and career of Sage's choosing took time away from them. It never registered that she needed space, and no matter how often Sage addressed the subject, her words meant nothing to them. Looking at the glass of wine and bubbles surrounding her, Sage realised these pleasures were the only thing she ever did for herself. Going away on vacation without her family never happened; somehow, they always seemed to come with her and didn't contribute to anything, enjoying her getaway while she looked after the children, ran errands, and basically kept the house for them while paying for everything. They would behave very hurt if Sage said anything about their behaviour and unrealistic expectations. They couldn't understand why Sage never wanted to spend time with them and avoided the Sunday meals and family get-togethers. Between them and Martin, she felt like she was being hunted, which was unpleasant and highly stressful.

"If only I could find a place to hide away from everyone," she whispered, "somewhere quiet, scenic and peaceful."

The image her words conjured drew a deep sigh, and she sipped away on her wine as the machine beeped loudly, indicating another message was coming. How long could these people keep it up?

The voice on the other side wasn't one she expected; sitting up a little in the cooling water, Sage listened. This wasn't old; it was fresh and happening right now.

"Hey Sage, it's Megan … from the office," her boss's voice filled her living room, "I meant to speak to you before you left, but I have a job for you, and I need to talk to you about it. I'll phone back in ten minutes."

Sage stared at the door as she heard the machine beep again, indicating the end of the message, and silence followed it.

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"Oh damn, ten minutes," she spluttered, pushing her glass onto the ledge and quickly scrubbing at her skin, pulling the plug and wrapping a terry robe around her without drying off, pulling slipper socks over her soggy feet, she headed for her bag that was on the counter and found her phone. Wincing, she saw three missed calls from her boss. It rang as she stared at it, making her jump.

"Hello," she said simply, rolling her eyes at her stupidity since she knew who was calling but acted like she didn't, "Sage here."

"Hey, Sage," Megan said on the other side, "hope I gave you enough time with your bubble bath tonight."

"It was getting cold when you called, so the timing was perfect," Sage said, "you mentioned something about a job."

"I know you've been wanting to do a travel piece for a while, but we haven't had any that are … your type," Megan said, hesitating before continuing, "... this one is a little unusual, but for some reason, I think it fits you."

"Why is it unusual?" Sage asked.

"Perhaps I should give you a little history before I explain that," Megan said, sighing.

"Okay, history always helps," Sage said, waiting for Megan to continue talking.

"The company was … left a house," Megan said, "this house comes with … conditions and for the conditions to be met, we need someone to travel to the town the house is in, write about the house and live there for a while."

Sage frowned at her phone before returning it to her ear, "You're kidding."

"Sage, I …" Megan sighed, "I can't make this stuff up."

"Okay," Sage drew the word out before continuing, "where is this house and what needs to be written about it?"

"Have you ever heard of Coopers Creek?" Megan asked.

"Nope," Sage said, pulling up her map app and entering the name, "I'm not finding any place like that on the map."

"I tried as well," Megan said, "maybe that's why written directions were sent with the conditions. That is where the house can be found."

"Fair enough, let me jot this down," Sage said, pulling her notepad and pen from her bag, "what do I have to write about the house?"

"This is where it gets a little … weird," Megan said, "apparently there is a legend around the house which needs to be discovered and written about."

"Huh," Sage said, absently noting what Megan said, "how long do I have to stay there?"

"You may not like this," Megan said tentatively.

"Meg, just tell me," Sage said, waiting for super bad news to unfold.

"It's indefinitely," Megan said, hurrying on and talking in one breath, "I didn't know who to send, but when I heard about how your family are driving you nuts, and Martin is still harassing you no matter what you do, I thought it would be an amazing opportunity for you to … disappear."

Sage stood silently on the other side of the phone, absorbing what Megan said, "What will happen to my stuff?"

Megan sighed, "The company apparently has a storage space where all your unnecessary items can be stored until you need them or wish to get rid of them."

"Why do I get the sense that this is permanent?" Sage asked.

"It can be if you wish it to be," Megan said, "in the conditions, it says whoever goes to Coopers Creek and lives there must remain for at least six months."

"Huh, that is oddly specific," Sage said, "who did the house belong to before?"

"Ahhh, the person who put this in place was someone called Rosemary Channing," Megan said, "I never heard of her, but apparently, this bequeath is ironclad, and the company has to provide someone when required."

"When required?" Sage asked, picking up on the strange choice of words.

"Yeah, according to the records, this was set up over fifty years ago," Megan said, "what do you say, Sage?"

Sage mulled silently while Megan waited, "When do I have to leave if I'm taking this?"

"In the next two days," Megan said, "I can bring the information pack to you tonight if you'd like."

"You're outside my apartment building, aren't you?" Sage said, moving to the window and looking into the street below.

"Yep, I'm sitting on your doorstep," Megan said, standing and waving at her.

"I'll buzz you up. You're staying for dinner and a glass of wine," Sage chuckled, shaking her head as she opened the building door and watched Megan enter. Cancelling the call as the elevator dinged, Sage opened the door and waited for Megan to enter her apartment before checking the hall and closing it.

"Still checking after all this time," Megan said, frowning as Sage double-locked the door and nodded, "... maybe this job is well-timed."

"Maybe," Sage sighed, "let me pour you a glass of wine, and we can chat about the details."

"That sounds good," Megan said, pulling a packet into sight, "I brought dinner."

Sage narrowed her eyes on the logo of the packet before grinning, "Sushi."

Nodding, Megan returned the grin, "Sushi."