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And to think, I was supposed to be celebrating tonight – my new job, a fresh start, a wonderful boyfriend to share it all with. Still, at least I still have the job.

They say bad things happen in threes – hopefully that’s my three now. It has to be – I’ve got nothing else to lose.

6

Why is it that, on the nights when you can’t sleep, it’s always your phone that wakes you up when you feel like you’ve only just managed to drop off?

I want to say that I’m lucky, that I managed to find a budget hotel with a room for the night, but between the nightlife outside my window and the noise outside my door from drunken people using the place for somewhere to crash after the clubs kicked out – oh, and an honourable mention has to go to the couple in the room next door who were at it like amped-up rabbits all night long – I barely got any sleep. At one point I almost started screaming along with them from pure sleep deprivation. No one needs that much noise really, do they? Like even the best sex of your life doesn’t make you scream like a banshee? I’m almost curious who is in there, and to ask if they’ve ever won an Olympic medal for doing it.

It’s light out, so definitely morning. I look at the time before I look at who is calling – oh boy, it’s after eleven, so maybe I got more sleep than I thought.

It’s not a number I recognise, but I answer anyway.

‘Hello?’ I say, my voice still a little croaky from sleeping – and crying myself to sleep.

‘Hello, Brooke – sorry, did I wake you?’

‘No,’ I lie. ‘Hello.’

Oh, I definitely sound like he woke me.

‘It’s Bryan Vose,’ he says, assuming I haven’t worked that out – and he would be right.

‘Of course, hello, Bryan, how’s it going?’

‘All right. Did you enjoy the match last night?’

‘Amazing,’ I say, honest this time. ‘What an atmosphere when they win!’

‘It’s really something, isn’t it?’ he says. ‘Anyway, the reason I’m calling – it’s about the job.’

Oh… oh no. Shit. Has Ron said something? Has he called him up and told him not to hire me? No, that’s silly. Ron wouldn’t do that, not when he’s the one in the wrong. Plus, I didn’t even get around to telling him I got the job. I’m letting my imagination run with the worst-case scenario as usual.

‘Okay,’ I say, nerves creeping in.

‘Bit of a change of plan,’ he explains. ‘Could you start early?’

‘When?’ I ask.

There is a brief pause.

‘Now.’

‘Oh wow…’

‘Unless you’re busy, of course…’

‘No, no, I’m not busy,’ I insist a little too quickly. It’s Saturday; I shouldn’t be advertising that I have zero plans.

‘If you can. I appreciate it’s short notice,’ he replies.

‘No, that’s absolutely fine,’ I assure him. ‘I can be there. I’ll just get myself sorted and… yeah, I’ll be right there.’

‘Brilliant. Come to reception and ask for Megan. You’re jumping in at the deep end, I’m afraid.’

‘I love a challenge,’ I tell him.

I mean, I do when I do. A nice challenge, like what is the best way to do this? Not an impossible one, like we need to spend more money even though the budget has run out.