Page 29 of The Cottage in the Highlands

When the meeting limped to a close, I hurried back to my desk. It was as if my insides had been tossed around in a blender.

I had read about the three models we were using for that feature and it was widely reported they possessed egos the size of the Grand Canyon. My shoulders disappeared as I thought back to Athena’s reaction to my hotel and train station suggestions. She’d looked at me as though I’d thrown up over her shoes.

I sank down into my chair. Talk about a baptism of fire.

I must have looked petrified because Orion stopped in front of my desk and offered me a small smile of understanding. Then she gestured to me to follow her. I reached for my mug and strode towards the breakout area, which was outfitted with a chrome coffee machine and blonde-wood furniture.

She gestured for me to sit down at one of the tables in the far corner. “You, ok? You look like you’ve just been run over by a double decker.”

I let out a sigh. “That’s a good description.”

I waited until Carter and a girl called Callie with pink bunches had sauntered past.

“It’s all rather full-on, isn’t it?” she sympathised. “Your first editorial meeting and straight away she’s demanding all-singing, all-dancing suggestions.”

I let my hands rise and fall. “Maybe I was being a bit naïve. I just thought I might be allowed a bit of time to settle in before being landed with something like that Avanti feature.”

Orion nodded the enormous red polka-dot ribbon in her hair. “Athena doesn’t do settling in. Never has done.” She lowered her voice to a supportive whisper. “Don’t struggle, ok? If you need help, just ask.”

I let out a long, low hiss of breath. “Thanks. I appreciate it.”

We filled our respective mugs with tea and made our way back to my desk. “Orion, what happened to my predecessor? The previous beauty writer? And when do I get to meet my boss?”

Orion frowned. “Your boss?”

“Yes. You know. The beauty editor.”

Orion opened her mouth, but as if on cue, Athena appeared at my desk. Orion flinched at her materialisation.

Athena was clutching a press release. “Leonie, have you heard of Tilly Crabtree at all?”

I flicked Orion a slightly panicked look. “Yes. Isn’t she that make-up artist who all the A-listers are clamouring after?”

“The very one,” primped Athena. “And she is a very good friend of mine.”

She thrust the press release she was clutching towards me. “Tilly is launching her new foundation range this afternoon and I’d like you to pop along and cover it. All the details are on there.”

She swivelled on her heel. “Oh, and I told her you would be more than happy to try out the product and give her a review. Thanks!”

Once Athena vanished back into her office, I let out a disgruntled sigh.

Orion shot a kind glance over her frilly shoulder. “I meant what I just said, ok?”

“Ok, Orion, and thanks.”

“No problem. Athena has been banging on for ages about what a coup this Avanti spread is going to be for Goddess.”

“Gee. Thanks. That makes me feel so much better.”

Orion grinned, making a dimple erupt in her left cheek. “Don’t be hard on yourself. You’ll get there.”

I’ll scream, more like.

She was about to move away when I decided to seize the opportunity again. “Orion, where’s my immediate boss?”

Orion didn’t say anything. “The beauty editor,” I clarified. “I don’t remember anyone with that title at the staff meeting. Is she or he on leave at the moment?”

Orion flushed a rose pink. She looked like she wanted to evaporate on the spot. “That’s because there isn’t one.”