Best of Friends

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‘Course I’m not upset.’ Abby’s hands shook as she took out her make-up pouch. She daren’t try to use her lipliner. Her face, pale and haggard with shock, stared back at her. Her new chestnut streaks looked ridiculously harsh against her pale face. Her previous all tawny tint had suited her colouring better.

Flora was watching her. Somehow, Abby recovered.

‘This is a job, after all, and job descriptions change. I’m a professional, Flora. You should know that,’ she said.

‘Sorry.’ Flora gave Abby’s shoulder an affectionate squeeze. ‘I forgot. They don’t call you the most down-to-earth presenter on the box for nothing.’

Abby did her best to look down-to-earth, even though she felt like lying down on the tiled floor of the ladies, drumming her heels and screaming about the unfairness of everything.

‘You know, I wasn’t sure I liked Roxie at first, to be honest with you,’ Flora was saying, redoing her plait, ‘but she has some great ideas and she’s all right behind that tough exterior.’

‘Yeah, for sure.’ Abby zipped up her handbag. ‘Must fly, Flora. I’ll talk to you soon, OK?’

She managed to leave the building without meeting Brian or Roxie.

‘Oh, Abby,’ sang Livia as Abby rushed past reception, ‘Mr Redmond was looking for you.’

‘Can’t stop. Sorry, Livia,’ said Abby politely. She could not face Brian Redmond now. ‘Bye.’

She rushed to the car park, leather skirt creaking wildly. Only when she was in her car and past the security barrier did she allow herself to break into floods of tears.