‘Why have you given my column to Lucy?’

Eva lifted the teapot and started to pour. ‘I don’t know if you’ve fully realised this, Jen, but you’re about to have a baby. I’ve not had children, but I’m assuming it will be rather difficult to research and write a column aimed at single women when you’ve got a small person attached to you—?’

Not Eva, too? She was having a baby, not moving to another continent.

‘I know what HR said about maternity leave, but I’m only planning on taking six months. And I might even be back sooner. I’ve told you that.’ Eva hadn’t been pleased about the pregnancy, but Jenny had assured her from the outset that the baby would have as little impact on her work as possible. To be fair, the pregnancy had been a bit of a surprise to Jenny, too – who would have thought they’d get pregnant on the first go? ‘Have you told Lucy that her promotion is only temporary?’ Her eyes began to fill up. Damn hormones.

Eva sighed and pointed again to the armchair. ‘Sit. I don’t want your waters breaking all over the rug.’

Jenny perched on the edge of the armchair.

‘We both knew this was coming, Jen. And not—’ Eva held up her hand to prevent Jenny from interrupting ‘—not just because you’re pregnant. You’re getting too old to be reporting on the singles scene. For goodness’ sake, you haven’t been single for almost two years now.’

Jenny would never admit it, but she knew that Eva was right. Hauling herself out to speed dating events and nightclubs had lost its appeal. It was far nicer to lie on the sofa with Dan and a takeaway. Plus, half her wages now went on age-disguising eye cream.

But why wasn’t it possible to keep everything the same, for a little while longer at least? It wasn’t as if she were ill or emigrating to Australia. She was just having a baby. A tiny little baby. This must be why everyone said, ‘Your life will change’ – because they were the ones who changed it for you.

‘So, you’re taking my column away from me permanently. And what will you give me when I come back?’ Without ‘Girl About Town’, Jenny would only have the slush pile of interviews, product reviews and other random articles. She was happy to do her fair share of ‘How to Shape Your Eyebrows for Success’, but her column was her first baby. She had worked hard to get it.

Eva picked a piece of lint from the sleeve of her suit jacket. She collected up some papers from her lap and tapped them on the table to tidy them. ‘I know you don’t plan to take your full twelve months’ maternity leave, Jen, but you haven’t had the baby yet. And if you do… Well, a lot changes in this industry in twelve months. We’ll have to discuss your role if and when you return.’

If and when?

Eva looked Jenny in the eye. ‘You might prefer something you can do from home.’

What could she do from home?

‘Or part-time.’

Part-time?

Eva looked as if these were random suggestions that had just popped into her head, but Jenny knew her better. She also knew that Eva wasn’t keen on people working from home. Far better to have them under close surveillance, where she could ensure that they weren’t taking too many coffee breaks.

Jenny’s heart thumped. Lucy would be writing her column whilst she, Jenny, slaved away trying to drum up exciting adjectives for the latest shade of eye shadow, waiting for the day when she would become surplus to requirement. She needed an idea for a new column. And she needed it fast.