So far AWAY

It was a life-changing decision, but Carrie feared her sister was making a terrible mistake

- Sue McVerry

Edinburgh! For a whole year?’ Carrie exclaimed. ‘But that’s simply miles away.’

Beth set her cappuccino down carefully. She would have to come clean with her twin sister. It was now or never.

‘Actually, it’s further than you think. I don’t mean Edinburgh in Scotland but a place called Edinburgh of the Seven Seas. It’s on a tiny island called Tristan da Cunha and it’s the most remote inhabited island in the world.’

She sat back in her seat and braced herself for Carrie’s reaction.

‘Oh, Beth, are you certain you’re doing the right thing? Won’t you be lonely? Where on earth is it? How many people live there?’

Beth held up her hand attempting to stem the flow of anxious questions. Carrie had her best interests at heart, but Beth’s mind was made up. She was going to accept the offer of a year working on Tristan, alongside the local doctor, who currently ran his practice single-handedly. His wife had recently given birth to triplets. As he’d explained on their Skype calls, he could use the help. For Beth, it would be a fantastic experience and look great on her CV.

‘Let’s get some more coffee and I’ll fill you in.’

The coffee arrived and Beth answered her sister’s questions patiently. Fewer than 300 people lived on the island, which lay in the middle of the South Atlantic Ocean between South Africa and Argentina.

‘How will you get there? Does it have an airport?’

Beth smiled and shook her head.