“You’ll soon pick it up,” replied Doug, trying to sound encouraging. “Give yourself some time.”

“Who has the other job gone to?” asked Frances.

“No idea,” I answered. “Someone with more experience on the ground, whatever that means.”

Frances angled her head to one side. “I know it’s tough out there right now, especially in the media industry. But if you did work for Athena Mayhew, it would be a hell of a boost to your career.” She pulled a sympathetic face. “You’ve got to want it though.” She paused. “So, when do you start writing reviews about snake skin moisturiser?”

“Is that a thing?” I asked, screwing up my nose, appalled.

“No idea, but it sounds like the sort of thing the Goddess demographic would use.”

“Oh don’t,” I groaned, clasping my hands to my face. “The HR department emailed me last night with a suggested start date of November 5th. Quite apt, really. Fireworks night.” I puffed out my cheeks, still unsure of what I was letting myself in for. “Athena is keen to get me installed as soon as possible, before other members of staff start taking their winter leave in the run-up to Christmas.”

Doug murmured and checked the dates on his PC. “Today is the 23rd, so that’s only a couple of weeks away.”

“I know,” I gabbled, guilt pressing down on me. “I’m so sorry. It’s all happened so fast.”

“It’s fine,” assured Doug. “Don’t stress over it.”

“And this office will be closed by the end of next month anyway,” added Frances. “I’ll be working in the Drummond newsroom by then.” A resigned look shot across her handsome features.

I stared around, drinking in the gulls dipping and weaving over the choppy waves outside the newsroom window. “What about this place? What’s going to happen to it?”

“Clarity Newspapers are going to sell it off,” said Doug. “It will probably end up as an ice cream parlour or a charity shop, although I hear they’re being greedy, due to its location, and are going to ask a ridiculous amount for it. “

There was a charged silence for a few moments until Doug thumped the edge of his desk. “Right team, enough of this melancholy. We have Leonie’s leaving-do to plan.”

I managed to smile, despite the reticence churning around in my stomach. “In other words, where are we going to go for an extended lunch and who is going to get the first round in?”

I spent the next two weeks reading up on everything from retinol and hot stone massage, to crystal exfoliation and seaweed wraps. I also threw myself into writing a special piece for the paper about my two years reporting there. That was a task in itself, as every time I reflected on my happy memories there, I would choke up.