I pretended to flick through some notes in my reporter’s notebook. I couldn’t think straight but I had to try and come up with something, albeit a temporary stopgap. I summoned up my most confident-sounding voice. “Would it be possible, Athena, to hold off a little longer on this one before we splash?”

Athena pushed out her Botoxed bottom lip with disapproval. “Why?”

I drew on all my acting skills, which were rather limited. “I don’t want to jinx it, but I’m very close to bagging another possible exclusive. Also, I’d like to check out a few contacts about the Chandler story, before we fully commit.” I plastered on a big smile. “We want to get all our ducks in a row, don’t we?”

I kept my gaze fixed on Athena, pulling on all the confidence and persuasiveness I could muster. I was also aware I was throwing one of her favourite phrases back at her. It was almost like a game of who would dare to blink first.

Athena’s brows tangoed. “That sounds intriguing.”

“Oh, it is.”

Beside Athena, Kerry reminded me of a wobbly deer on ice. She was still struggling to make eye contact with me.

“And you can’t give me any more details at the moment?” pushed Athena.

“I’m afraid not. All will be revealed soon though.”

As soon as I can come up with a plan.

“I’m not saying we can’t go ahead and publish the Chandler story,” I clarified. “All I’m asking is for a little more time to tie up a couple of loose ends.”

Athena relaxed in her chair and steepled her fingers. “All right. You’ve got one more week, young lady to get the information and clarification you need. Deal?”

I stifled a sigh of relief. I channelled Athena’s coolness. “Deal. Thank you.”

I departed Athena’s office and exhaled a rush of breath. Now all I had to do was think of an idea that could make this Chandler exclusive dead in the water. No pressure then.

“Leonie.”

Kerry was shuffling from foot to foot by Orion’s desk. She flicked me a look from under her lashes.

I could barely bring myself to speak to her, let alone look at her. “What is it? What do you want?”

“Can I talk to you for a moment please?”

“I don’t think so. Whatever we talk about will end up being printed.”

Her bottom lip wobbled. “Please, Leonie. I’m so sorry. I need to explain.” I offered her a frozen stare. “Look, I don’t blame you for being furious with me. Just let me explain what happened and then you don’t have to talk to me ever again.”

There was another bigger lip wobble. I was also aware of a couple of colleagues beginning to watch us from the office floor.