“And I’ve just seen a photo of my ex-boyfriend in a media magazine and he’s just got engaged to this gorgeous TV reporter.” I let my hands flail about in frustration. “He’s head of news at a TV station in England.” A dry laugh escaped out of my throat. “Whenever I used to hint about us getting engaged, he would come out with a stream of excuses. He was happy enough for us to live together a lot of the time, but didn’t want to commit himself. We only broke up earlier this year, so he hasn’t wasted any time moving on.”

I threw my head back, examining her painted ceiling. The pattern reminded me of whipped cream. “What with losing a job that I love, taking another one I’m not sure about, and then discovering my ex is getting married, life is pretty grotty at the moment.”

She got up and fetched a saucer of water for Harley. She eased herself back into the wooden chair opposite. “I can’t comment much on your job situation, but regarding your ex-boyfriend… sounds to me like you dodged a bullet there. I bet he’s a right dick.”

It was like hearing your grandmother reciting gangsta rap. I almost spluttered my mouthful of tea across the kitchen. I swallowed and set my mug back down. “Er, yes. It turns out he was.”

“Well then,” shrugged Lily. “He’s someone else’s problem now. Good luck to her. Sounds like she’ll need it.”

For something to do, I picked up my mug of tea again. I realised I was smiling against the rim. I took another mouthful.

“And the job problem?” she asked. “What’s the issue there? Didn’t you just say you’ve got employment elsewhere now?”

I drummed my fingers against the side of my mug. “Yes, but I was getting desperate. I applied for a few other jobs and was getting nowhere. Then I read about this investigative reporter vacancy at Goddess magazine. I applied for the job, but got offered the beauty writer post instead.”

Lily’s thin brows flexed, encouraging me to elaborate.

I let out a resigned sigh. “I’ve been landed with this difficult feature. I have to come up with this amazing beauty piece, featuring three of the UK’s most successful models, for Avanti cosmetics.” I rolled my eyes as I bent down to stroke Harley’s dozing head. “Every suggestion I’ve made so far has been treated with disdain by my new boss.”

“Like what?”

“Staging it in a train station, a hotel lobby, or on Silver Ness beach.”

Lily’s deep-set eyes bored into my crestfallen face. “She sounds like a right madam.”