Eliza felt a jolt at the emphatic ‘my’. She’d worked on every detail of those conferences. She’d fine-tuned the contracts, liaised with every client, delegate and venue. ‘Sold to who?’

Gillian named the buyer. An international operation, based in Singapore. There’d long been speculation in the industry about their possible direct move into Australia.

Still, Eliza was shocked. ‘Just like that? Out of the blue?’

‘No. We’ve been negotiating for six months. I’ve been legally constrained from saying anything to anyone until today.’

‘To anyone? Even me?’

Gillian mimed zipping her lips. ‘I had to obey.’

Obedient was the last word Eliza would use for Gillian. ‘But when? How?’

‘I was approached when I was in Sydney last year. Just after I’d found out I was pregnant. Do you remember that huge medical conference I organised in Sydney? The one with a thousand delegates?’

Eliza had organised that huge medical conference. The delegates’ flights, the hotel rooms, the speakers’ schedules. Gillian was on the ground as the face of the company, but throughout the week Eliza was back in Melbourne working fifteen-hour days, staying one step ahead, double-checking running orders, speakers’ needs, even the catering arrangements.

When had Gillian had time for any extra appointments?

It was as if Gillian read her mind. ‘It was all done in person. The managing director flew from Singapore especially. I met with him and his lawyer. We’ve been in touch via my personal email ever since. My husband handled my legal advice, of course. Keep it in the family and all that.’ She gave a laugh that sounded fake.

‘You couldn’t tell me? After working together for nine years?’ Eliza couldn’t disguise her hurt.

An edge came into Gillian’s voice. ‘It was my company, Eliza. My decision. I’m going to take six months off, spend quality time with the children. After that, the world’s my oyster. I have some brilliant ideas already, of course. But I’m stepping away from company life. It’s time to fly solo again.’

Eliza forced herself to ask it. ‘Where does that leave me?’

‘Sadly, your job is now obsolete.’ Gillian didn’t look sad. ‘They’ve bought my company in name and intellectual property only. They’ll bring in their own team.’

Eliza could hear the buzz-buzz-buzz of incoming calls on Gillian’s phone. If she wanted more answers, she’d need to be quick.

‘How long have I got?’

Gillian laughed. ‘It’s not a diagnosis, Eliza. Or a death sentence. I’m legally bound to give you a fortnight’s notice. I’ll be telling the others when they come in this morning.’

‘Two weeks? For everyone to find another job?’ Eliza named her colleagues. It seemed important to remind Gillian of the personal impact of her decision.

Gillian’s voice grew steely. ‘They’ll be fine. They’ll have my company name on their CVs. As will you. There’s also a severance package, obviously. You didn’t think I’d leave you in the lurch, did you?’

Eliza didn’t know what she thought.

Gillian reached over and unexpectedly took Eliza’s hands. It didn’t feel affectionate.