Once we’d finished dressing, I ate a slice of toast whilst Rowan drank another cup of tea. We made small talk, avoiding the elephant that was still very much in the room. The time to leave came around quicker than I’d have liked, and we headed out into the rain.
“Shit, I’m going to miss the bus,” I muttered, glancing back at Rowan as we trotted down the steps and out onto the road. “I’ve got to go.”
“Go where?” Rowan asked, raising a brow incredulously. He held up his car keys. “You’ve got a lift, remember?”
I grinned. “Oh, yeah. I didn’t even think. It certainly beats a cramped, sweaty bus.”
“I’d hope so.”
We arrived at work in record time, and I decided I could get used to being driven in. Public transport sucked. We weren’t first to arrive and pushed inside the building. Becca popped her head around the doorway to greet us.
“Morning both,” she crowed, trying to maintain a semblance of normality. I saw her eyes flick between us and as Rowan turned his back to hang up his coat, she mouthed ‘okay?’ at me. I shrugged.
“Morning,” Rowan replied and headed off up the stairs towards his office.
“Oh, Max. I have a letter here for you.” Becca nodded her head into the reception area.
I glanced up at Rowan. “I’ll be there in a minute.”
“No rush,” he called back, continuing on up the staircase. Once he was out of sight, I joined Becca behind the desk.
“Is everything alright?” she whispered. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine, Rowan not so much, although he’s certainly a little better this morning. He’s going to stay with me for a while until everything is sorted out.”
“Of course.” Becca nodded. “Oliver will stay with me as often as he can, so don’t worry about any of that.”
“You’re a gem.” I smiled. “Poor you having to put up with Oliver because of all of this, hm?”
Becca grinned. “Eh, he’s not so bad.” She handed me a letter. “From HR.”
I glanced at the envelope in my hands with a sigh. “What now?” I ripped it open and scanned the letter. “Oh, great. It’s my notice.”
“What?” Becca gasped, leaning over my shoulder to read the letter.
“I’m maternity cover, remember? Mandy has given them the date she wishes to return by the looks of things. My last day is July twenty-first.”
Becca’s face crumpled. “That’s only three months.”
“It’s as much notice as they’re required to give, due to the type of contract I’m on.” I stared at the letter, feeling strangely hollow. “Just when you think things can’t get any worse, hm?”
“I can’t believe I won’t be seeing you at work every day,” she said, her brow furrowing. “It won’t be the same without you, Max.”
“You flatter me,” I laughed. “I’m sure you were all doing just fine before I got here.”
“What’s going on in here?” Trisha asked. Becca and I looked across at her, so caught up we hadn’t heard her come in.
“Max’s last day is July twenty-first.” Becca pulled a face.
“Oh, no! Gosh, that’s come around fast, hasn’t it. It hasn’t been a year already, has it?”
“No, it hasn’t. It looks like Mandy isn’t taking the full year of maternity leave after all,” Becca replied.
“Well, it does drop down to a pittance. Can’t blame the girl, but Max…” Trisha’s bottom lip curled down into a pout.
“I know, it sucks.” I sighed. “God knows where they’re going to put me after this.”
“Well, the new people won’t be anywhere near as nice as us.” Becca teased, throwing an arm around my neck.
