After I’d spent five minutes in the toilets calming down, I skulked to my desk. It was spotless, like I’d never existed. Everything had been tidied into drawers. It took three attempts before I logged on to my computer, having forgotten the password. Eventually Outlook opened to reveal around fifty emails sitting in my inbox. Gathering from some of them that I had missed a major company announcement, I scrolled through to find it. Tapping my mouse, an email from our CEO filled the screen. We were being merged with another distribution company. Thank God I wasn’t here for all the drama last week. There would have been tears and panic; not to mention a large amount of arse kissing from those worried about their jobs.

I rolled my eyes. I couldn’t muster up any enthusiasm. Nothing seemed important any more. Work was trivial.

‘You’re back! How are you?’ Stuart, my boss, appeared at my desk, his lips pressed into a hard line.

‘Okay, thank you.’

He fidgeted with his tie, neither of us knowing what to say next. His eyes wandered and came to rest on my screen, displaying the announcement.

‘Big changes coming, I’m afraid. Looks like we might all have to re-apply for our jobs. Well, that’s the rumour. It was a bit of a shock last week.’

‘Is the company in trouble?’ I asked, feigning interest.

‘No, the one we’ve rescued is, but now for every job there’s two people vying for it.’

I frowned, trying to look concerned but unsure if I was pulling it off.

‘Anyway, I’ll let you catch up. If you need anything, let me know. If it’s all a bit too soon and you want to take a few more days, then by all means do.’ He strode into his office, closing his door.

I sighed, glad the awkward exchange was over. The call of my bed was loud. I wanted to be in my comfy pyjamas, enjoying the sanctuary my bedroom had become. If only Stuart hadn’t planted the seed. It was tempting, but if I went home, I would never come back.

Work dragged. I only left my desk twice, the first time to use the ladies’. The feeling of eyes on me as I passed made me jittery and I couldn’t wait to get back to my desk. The second time, I joined Debbie for a cigarette outside. She wouldn’t take no for an answer, insisting I accompanied her.

‘How are you doing?’ she asked, her voice shrill. It grated on me and I struggled to hide it.

‘Okay. Don’t want to be here. You know.’ I shrugged.

‘I can imagine,’ she droned, sucking on her cigarette so hard her lips puckered. Her mouth resembling a cat’s backside.