The Awakening by Kat Quickly Page B

building, like the Hearst Building is eco-friendly, is helping the planet, but if we’re the only two such buildings in New York what hope is there?”
    “It’s a start, Victor. We have to start somewhere.”
    “It’s nearly too late, that’s what it is, Carmen. The destruction of the planet has been going on for hundreds of years. The Industrial Revolution was the worst thing that happened to planet Earth. Far worse than the meteor hit that wiped out the dinosaurs. No,” Victor was emphatic, “the machine age is killing us. Species are dying at unheard of rates, the caps are melting, island nations will be drowned, the great bears will only exist in zoos. It is a tragedy in the making.”
    “But you are working against that. People are more aware of the plight of the planet because of you and they lobby their congressmen and do small acts of environmental kindness. Don’t be so despondent, Victor. You are making a difference.” She reached across to pat his leg, firm and hard through his moleskin jeans. “You are why I was so pleased to work for Great Blizzard. I’ve been a fan for years.”
    Victor laughed. “You embarrass me, Carmen.”
    “Good, at least you’re smiling again.”
    “I always smile with you,” he winked at her.
    “Now I’m blushing,” she cried.
    “I’m a big fan too,” Victor added. “Like the rest of the country, I’ve followed your remarkable career. I am honoured that you are working for me.” Not for the first time since he’d taken her hand in his office did he wonder how she had remained hidden from him for so long, especially as she had been there, under his nose all the time. The elders had clearly done a remarkable job in obliterating her from his heart and mind after he had failed them so utterly. At least they had allowed him to find her again and re-start his work.
    Carmen laughed. “Hardly working. I just go to bookshops and sit at my desk reading proposals and emails. I’m not exactly contributing to the company.”
    “Don’t under-rate yourself. I would not have agreed to AA’s hiring of you if I didn’t think you had a great deal to offer. I know you have hidden depths.”
    “Mm,” Carmen nodded, unconvinced. “And that’s why we’re up here this weekend. You’re going to help me plumb my inner depths and become the most valuable worker for this month.”
    “I’m not sure of your cynical tone, but indeed, we are here for something like that.” Victor swung off the main road.
    Carmen was taken aback. “Really? I thought you just wanted to get to know me better, were just being kind to a lonely girl.”
    “That too,” Victor patted her leg now. “That mainly. We should be friends, Carmen. We have more in common than you realise. This weekend is about finding some connections.” He caught her grimace. “No, it won’t hurt. In fact, you will have the best weekend you’ve had since you went hunting and camping with your dad.”
    She looked at him. Had she had conversations with Victor about her father? She doubted it: she rarely spoke of her father and she and Victor had only had brief interactions, no time for revelations. After all these years she still felt the pain of his loss. How was it fair to lose the parent you loved and still have the one who didn’t care at all about you?
    “Much of life isn’t fair,” Victor said absently as he turned onto a smaller rougher track and engaged four-wheel drive.
    Carmen settled into her seat and watched the forest thicken and the landscape steepen. She could feel herself relaxing, calming. The turmoil of the last month or so was falling off her like a heavy wet raincoat. She could almost smell the pine and the cold out there. It was dark and close outside and she thrilled to it. This was just like being with her dad. She looked at Victor – was he related? Was he a lost, secret uncle? He knew too much. There had to be a connection. She half expected some sort of revelation this weekend. He was her