‘I’m not going to work for My Divorce.’ You can read as many books as you like about empowerment, but there’s nothing quite like doing something empowering to give you a buzz. My veins are positively fizzing. I think I could quite happily spend the afternoon just repeating that phrase. It feels like some sort of meditation mantra. I couldn’t honestly see myself spending my days editing articles suggesting ‘How To Make Your Divorce Party Swing’ or ‘The Power of Pre-Nuptial Agreements’. I don’t think editing articles about the breakdown of relationships could hardly be considered ‘moving forward’ in my current situation.

‘What do you mean?’ Monica says, seeming to struggle with her powers of speech.

I’m quite enjoying this. I take a deep breath, because I want to appear absolutely confident when I say it. ‘I’m leaving.’

Monica’s chin joins Charlotte’s on the carpet.

I sit back and smile, tasting my wine, which is fabulous and fruity and is certainly hitting the right spot.

‘Leaving?’ Monica stutters. ‘You can’t leave!’

‘I think you’ll find I can.’

‘Where are you going?’ my incredulous friend wants to know. ‘Have you been having secret interviews and not telling us, you cow?’

‘I bet you’ve got some glammy job lined up,’ Charlotte says. ‘And are going to make us green with envy. If you get free designer clothes, I’m going to beat you to death with this wine bottle.’

‘I haven’t got a new job,’ I say. ‘I’m just leaving.’

‘To do what?’ Monica is nearly shrieking. ‘Are you going to look for another job?’

‘I’m leaving today, Monica.’

‘You can’t!’ She’s apoplectic. I sometimes forget that occasionally she is more management than mate. ‘You must be on three months’ notice.’

‘And what can they do, Mon? Stop my pay? Sue me?’ I shrug as if I haven’t a care in the world.

‘Why?’ she says. ‘Why are you doing this?’

‘I don’t want to write about divorces. That would be too, too depressing.’

‘What if I ask them to keep you on My Baby?’

‘I don’t want to write about babies either.’

‘What!’ This is from both of them.

‘Everyone’s right, I’ve been too focussed on having a baby for too long. I’ve done nothing with my life but moon over the contents of Baby Gap. I’m going to do something positive, for myself. I’m going to have an adventure.’

‘An adventure?’

‘An adventure,’ I echo. And I hope to goodness that’s what it’s going to be.

Chapter twenty-two

Chapter twenty-two