It Started With A Tweet(98)

‘Um, I don’t think so,’ I say, starting to stand up. ‘I think I should be going.’

I’m halfway to the door, when I hear Erica sigh. ‘Don’t go,’ she says. She stands up and comes and gives me a hug. ‘I’m sorry. You’re right, it was a stupid thing to do and I’m pleased you came all the way here to check on me.’

‘Why did you need checking on? Oh, don’t tell me, you saw Erica’s genius Facebook break-up. Yes, I had my mum on the phone for half an hour on Thursday lamenting about what I’d done, letting her slip through my fingers.’

Erica looks a little sheepish.

‘No big deal, huh?’ I say, raising an eyebrow.

‘How about we just celebrate your return,’ she says, tactfully changing the subject. ‘You are staying, right?’

‘If you’ll have me?’

‘Of course, now you can come out for a big lunch with us,’ she says bossily. ‘You must be starving after your journey.’

‘Actually, I ate a pretty big breakfast while I waited for my connection at Crewe. You know what I’d love more than anything is to have a shower and probably a nap. I had a bit of a rough night last night.’

‘Did you now? Did it involve Jack, or was it that hot Frenchie, what’s his name, Alec?’

‘Alexis. Yes, it involved both of them.’

‘Oh really?’ she says in a husky voice.

‘Not like that, unfortunately.’

‘It sounds as if I’ve been missing out. I should get the kettle on and –’

‘Erica, we’ll probably be late, if we don’t get going soon. The reservation’s at two,’ says Chris tapping his watch.

‘Of course. Are you sure you won’t come with us?’

I look up at the two of them, dressed in their smart-casual attire. I’ve been for lunch with them numerous times before, but it seems different now, it’s as if they’ve moved on.

‘No, you two go ahead. I’ll sort myself out with a shower and some sleep and we can have a proper catch-up later.’

‘OK,’ says Erica giving me another hug. ‘I’m so glad you’re back. I’m meeting up with the girls after work on Monday night too; you’ll have to come. It’s not been the same without you. I’ve really missed you.’

‘I’ve missed you too.’

Chris coughs and breaks up our hug and he takes her hand as they leave. I watch them go, feeling relieved that they are still together. As much as I’m jealous that she’s starting a new chapter in her life, and I know it’ll mean I’ll ultimately get to spend less time with her, I’m pleased that she’s happy.

All I need to do now is sort myself out and get back on the road to happiness, and hopefully after Monday’s meeting at E.D.S.M., I’ll be one step closer to that happening.





Chapter Thirty-Two

Time since last Internet usage: 2 days, 21 hours, 4 minutes and 28 seconds

‘Hello, Daisy, is it? I’m Jaz, from Cloud29 Productions,’ says a petite brunette with a pixie haircut as she strides across the lobby, clutching a clipboard.

‘Um, hi. I’m actually here to meet the managing director from E.D.S.M.,’ I say looking over at the building receptionist to see if she’s placed a call through to the wrong office.

‘Yes, yes,’ says the woman nodding. She points for me to sit back down in the waiting room and perches on the sofa next to me. ‘We’re filming E.D.S.M. for a fly-on-the-wall documentary about start-up companies. It’s for Channel 4 daytime, you know the type of thing: an hour-long programme where it jumps around three or four companies per episode, taking a week to tell someone’s story. We’re following a load of start-ups, of all different types, through their first year trading to see what pitfalls they get into and whether or not they make it.’

‘Great to know there’s job security here, then,’ I say, wondering what I’ve got myself into.

Jaz gasps. ‘Not that this company won’t make it. They’ve actually got loads of investors, and they’re bringing in lots of new people. It’s expanding pretty fast and it’s great for us production-wise as there’s always something going on.’

‘Like an interview,’ I say, trying to smile when really I wish I’d had some advanced warning, as I’d have applied a bit more powder. Any I had on, I sweated off on the train with nerves.

‘Exactly. Now we’ll just need you to sign the consent forms to say you’re happy for us to film you.’

‘And what if I’m not?’ I say, really not comfortable.

‘A marketing manager who’s not comfortable being filmed? I’m not sure that that would go down too well.’

Jaz is smiling at me, with the kind of smile that knows I’ve got no option other than to do exactly what she says.

I scribble the best signature that my nerves will allow.

‘Great. Let’s get going. Now, when you get upstairs, the cameras are set up to record your initial meet and greet, so just act natural.’

I take a deep breath as she ushers me into the lift and up to the fourteenth floor. I knew I’d have more than the usual interview nerves, due to my lack of confidence after being fired, but being filmed has edged me past nerves into full-on jittery.