18 Floors Above the Apocalypse novel Chapter 450

Back in their room, they let Cooper out for some air, and Stella brewed a pot of English breakfast tea. The three of them settled on the couch for a heart-to-heart chat.

Stella felt pretty good about things. Civilization had taken a beating from the disaster, but humanity had never given up. Hope Point was like a phoenix waiting to rise from the ashes.

The infrastructure was buzzing, research was happening smoothly, and the urgent need to restore agriculture was like a beacon in the dark.

It was hard not to admire the resilience that had been ingrained in Australia over five thousand years.

Rosie, sipping her tea, raised her hand and said, “Bro, Sis, I’m thinking about applying for a job as a farmer.”

Stella looked surprised. “Are you sure?”

Rosie nodded firmly. “I might as well give it a shot since I’m not doing much else.”

Both siblings had ants in their pants, but Rosie was especially industrious. Over the years, she’d done plenty of farming and breeding. She was a real whiz kid at it.

As her sister-in-law, Stella had no objections, but they still needed to consider Jasper’s thoughts.

Jasper turned the question back to Stella and Rosie. “What do you think of Hope Point?”

Rosie didn’t hesitate. “I like it.”

Stella knew what he meant. “We’re here now. Let’s let time decide whether we stay or go.”

They’d been free agents on the move, eating and drinking without a care, but people need to socialize. After making the rounds, they felt more upbeat and at ease.

You win some, you lose some. They’d been adrift at sea for months; a change of scenery could be good.

Jasper nodded in agreement. “Rosie, go ahead and interview. But if you get the job, be careful with what you say and do. We can’t afford any trouble.”

Rosie was ecstatic. “Don’t worry, I’ll be cautious.” She wouldn’t reveal any secrets.

Farming didn’t require much physical strength and she wouldn't have to leave Area B. Opportunities like this were rare.

Afraid that someone else might beat her to it, Rosie hurried downstairs to sign up.

Jasper mused, “Rosie’s all grown up.”

Since they’d decided to stay for now, it was about time to settle into a routine. Stella shrugged it off with a laugh, “I’m not cut out for a job, but if you want to work, feel free.”

Jasper was used to her independence. “No rush. We’ll see how it goes.”

Jobs that were easy and close to home were scarce. Every able-bodied woman in Area B had signed up, making the competition fierce.

An extra eight pounds of food a month was on the line, and it almost came to blows among the applicants.

After all, gardening was in an Aussie’s DNA.

Years of disasters had given everyone a bit of a green thumb.

Rosie was nervous about being rejected.

Maybe she lacked confidence because her brother was so accomplished.

Stella reassured her, “Believe in yourself, Rosie. You’re the best.”

“Do you really think so?”

After receiving Stella’s affirmative nod, she playfully kicked Jasper’s foot, teasing, “Look at you, Mr. Capable.”

Jasper felt a twinge of frustration. If he hadn’t been capable, would she have fallen for him?

In the evening, Monkey came knocking. “Sis, I’ve brought you some goodies.”

A brand-new air mattress and some gently used folding tables and chairs.

These items were hard to come by, and he’d put in a lot of legwork to get them.

“There are also pillows, towels, and such. If you need more, I can always trade for them later.”

Drifting at sea and still having these luxuries? Monkey was a true hustler, just like his mentor Austin.

Life had to be above board, so Stella accepted everything he offered. “What do you want in exchange?”