She was looking at open folders on her desk as she spoke. ‘I’m grateful you could make the time.’ She shuffled papers and looked at me. ‘Now, you’ve been with us for some time and you’ve got a glowing record from all of your superiors. But are you happy here, Edi?’

Is this a well-being check-in? ‘I enjoy my work, absolutely,’ I said, baffled by the mere suggestion that anyone might ever say otherwise when faced with a question like that – being asked by their boss. ‘I certainly don’t have any plans to leave,’ I added.

She nodded, and looked away from me, like she was considering something. ‘Well, I’m delighted to hear that.’ She handed over the paperwork she’d been reading. ‘We’re looking to restructure some of the teams and yours happens to be one of them. Diane is wasted at her desk as it stands so she, and she’s aware of this, will be moved to a more forward-facing position so she can engage with clients out and about, interviews, developing PR plans in the field. I won’t bore you. But we’ll be looking first and foremost to replace her, but secondly to make it a more pronounced managerial position. You’ll oversee the team you currently work with, and another three teams besides that. Ahead of this happening, though, we’d like to give you the opportunity for proper managerial training. Just to hone those skills that you’ve been flaunting already.’ She winked – oh my God, an actual wink – at me between breaths. ‘Now, tell me, Edi, how does that sound so far?’

Terrifying. I cracked into a toothy grin. ‘I mean, amazing. Is there a catch?’

She shook her head. ‘No catch. We’ll look at a pay increase, too, of course, for the extra work you’ll be doing. Diane will want to talk to you about the workload distribution, though, so that might be something best saved for when you’ve discussed your duties with her?’

‘Okay.’ I nodded, still smiling. ‘Absolutely.’

She leaned on her elbows and rested her chin in the palm of one hand. ‘Questions?’

‘When does all of this happen?’

‘Ah, of course.’ She leaned back. ‘Diane has a twelve-month changeover period to finish up outstanding work, but for six of those months you’ll be shadowing her. So, the start date is fluid. But the paperwork you’ve got outlines a number of modules, available through the city centre university, so if you want to take a look through that and liaise with Diane about your choices then we’ll look to get you signed up for the next start date.’ She glanced over at her screen. ‘September, by the looks of that email.’

‘Perfect. Okay. That’s all perfect.’

‘Edi.’ She stood, then, and held her hand out. ‘It’s been a pleasure.’