Chapter 1: Danielle meets Natalie

“I’ve never been to a therapist before,” I say. “What happens next?”

“You make yourself comfortable and tell me about yourself,” replies Natalie, the young therapist.

I settle on the well padded leather couch and look at the smartly dressed woman with long slender legs. Natalie can’t be much older than me. She seems far too young to be a qualified therapist, but the framed certificates on the wall say otherwise.

“Um. I’m Danielle. I’m twenty-four years old. A year ago I inherited my parents three-hundred square kilometre ranch, and enough wealth to keep me comfortable for the rest of my life. I suppose I have everything that I need, which means that you are probably wondering why I’m here.”

“So, why have you sought my help?” prompts Natalie.

“Sally ... she’s my personal assistant ... badgered me into making an appointment to see you.”

“I see. One of your employees told you that you needed therapy, and you simply complied?”

“Yes. Well. Sally can be very persuasive. And she’s more of a friend than an assistant. A really good friend. We’ve known each other since childhood. Anyway, the truth is, I’m bored to tears. I don’t get full control of my inheritance until I turn twenty-five in three months time. The family lawyers have appointed four managers to run the ranch in the meantime. All I’m expected to do is to attend boring meetings ... sorry, board meetings, twice a week. I’m not allowed to make any major decisions, not that I know enough about running a ranch to be trusted with anything like that. My brother was groomed to inherit the ranch, not me. I was the pretty wallflower to be married off as a trophy wife to some rich guy. Thereafter, confining my duties to producing and caring for a brood of kids.”