‘That’s nothing new,’ I reply, trying to quell my alarm. ‘She’s always been insecure and jealous. She’s wanted to make partner ever since she joined.’
‘Yes, but since the wedding, she’s been using really below-the-belt tactics to edge you out of the running.’
‘Let me guess,’ I say. ‘Talking about me behind my back?’
‘Afraid so. I’ve heard her bad-mouthing you to Paul more than a few times. Really unsubtle stuff about your state of mind. Digging the knife in and outright lying.’
I grit my teeth. My already raw emotions are now hardening into a fury that Charlotte’s been using my distress for her own ends. It makes me wonder if she’s simply turning my absence to her advantage, or whether this is what she’s been planning all along. My loss has certainly become her gain. But how much of that was premeditated? I take a sip of my drink, and then another, as Miriam continues listing Charlotte’s transgressions.
‘She’s been attacking the quality of your work and criticising how you handle your clients. Which is all absolute bollocks, as we both know she’s useless with clients. I’ve tried to big you up to Paul, but he doesn’t listen to me. To him, I’m just a glorified admin assistant.’
‘Well that’s not true!’ I say. ‘The office would fall apart without you there.’
‘Thanks, but don’t worry aboutme, I think you need to get back in the office to remind Paul Faraday how incredible you are at your job. Charlotte knows damn well you’re more likely to be made partner. So she’s totally revelling in this new-found opportunity while you’re away. You need to come back pronto.’
My heartbeats are thrumming in my chest. Reverberating through my body. My nerve endings tingle and my head swims as I picture my career going down the toilet. I’ve been so caught up in my personal life that I haven’t given work a moment’s thought over the past two weeks. I take another gulp of my drink as I try to take everything in.
I wasn’t due to return to the office until Monday, but I think I might need to go back tomorrow. I haven’t felt emotionally ready to face it yet, but I can’t let Charlotte get away with this. I have to get in there and stand my ground. Show Paul that I’m the better candidate. Make him see that Charlotte’s been talking out of her arse. I’m not prepared to throw away years of work. To sit at home crying while she swoops in and takes what’s mine.
I can’t lose my career as well as my relationship. Otherwise what will I have left?
Nothing.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
I can’t believe it!
I absolutely. Cannot. Believe it.
As I walk away down the road, I’m filled to the brim with nervous energy. Birds are chirping in the trees and the sky is a jubilant blue. The warm summer air is thick with the promise of a perfect future.
Part one of my plan is actually complete. Which means part two can now go ahead. Although I’ll have to orchestrate this next part just as carefully. I can’t afford to get sloppy now. Not while everything is going so well.
Only in my wildest dreams did I think this could happen. The sickness in my stomach is receding. The never-ending darkness is lightening because the stars are finally aligning. It’s like an actual miracle is occurring. All the gods have heard my prayers and have decided to answer with a resounding YES.
Things are falling into place better than I could have ever expected. Now, I simply have to hold my nerve and see things through to the end.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
NOW
I press my right hand to my belly. It feels like an actual, physical punch to the gut.
I’ve come back to work after Miriam’s warning. But it’s too late.I’mtoo late.
Charlotte has just told me her ‘exciting’ news while Paul is on his mobile pretending he hasn’t seen me come in. I bet he’s faking his phone call while he works out what he’s going to say to me to explain his actions.
‘Paul literally asked me yesterday after work,’ Charlotte says, her eyes bright,triumphant. ‘And of course I said yes. How could I not? It’s such a validation of all the hard work I’ve put in over the years.’
It’s a good job I’m already sitting at my desk, because I don’t think my legs would have kept me upright. ‘Congratulations,’ I say blankly, my mind spooling forward, thinking about how even more unbearable she’s going to be once she’s an actual partner here.
‘But how areyou?’ she asks, her head tilted, her features arranged into an insincere expression of concern. ‘Are you sure you’re all right to be back at work? I’m sure Paul and I can grant you some compassionate leave, if you need it. I was telling him that myfriend’s sister had a breakdown and it took her months to get back on track. You just take all the time you need. Although obviously we’d have to talk about timescales.’
I lock eyes with Miriam who’s standing by the printer and looks just about ready to come over and throttle her.
‘I didn’t have a breakdown, Charlotte,’ I say calmly. ‘I split from my fiancé.’
‘Oh.’ She frowns. ‘It’s just, at the church it looked like ... I don’t know, like you had some kind of episode.’
