Page 34 of Love Letters on Hazel Lane

Caroline’s eyes were fixed firmly on her screen. ‘Yes, Leona. David and I thought it would be good for her career development. She’s never been filming.’

In all her years at Pop! Productions, Jo’s career development had barely been discussed. There was always an annual appraisal meeting, which mainly consisted of filling in a form with Caroline. What I could do more of. What I could do less of. Caroline always said the same thing: ‘David and I have no complaints, Jo. None whatsoever. You’re doing brilliantly.’

Brilliantly, but there was never any mention of career development, promotions, courses or pay rises.

‘I could have gone,’ Jo said. ‘If Sam needed an extra pair of hands.’

‘You could,’ said Caroline. ‘But as I said, David and I felt this would be good for Leona. An opportunity for her.’

What about an opportunity for me? thought Jo.

‘Anyway,’ Caroline continued, ‘I’m not sure I could manage without you in the office for a whole three days.’

Three days, thought Jo. Well, that was one good thing. Three days without Leona being here. It’d be like it used to be.

But it was nevertheless galling. The documentary was a behind-the-scenes peek at a festival. They’d already shot a few scenes: planning meetings and the like. On Wednesday and Thursday, they’d film the last-minute preparations – the marquees going up, Jo presumed, and the Portaloos arriving – then over the weekend, they’d focus on the festival itself. Jo wasn’t into festivals – big crowds and loud music weren’t her thing – but it would have been interesting. A change. A break from her usual routine. And a welcome distraction from the loneliness that was her life. Even more lonely now that she’d resolved not to go on any more dates.

Jo went back to her desk and phoned the hotel where the crew would be staying the following week and requested an extra room.’

‘We’ve only a suite left,’ said the receptionist. ‘But I can do it for the same rate as an executive double.’

Typical. Leona was one of those people who had all the luck. If Jo had been going on the shoot, the only room left would have been a small single.

Jo made the booking, added Leona’s name to the schedule and saved it twice, once to her personal drive and then to the shared drive. She always did that these days, determined that no more vital documents would go missing.

When Caroline had left, Jo phoned Gemma again.

‘Twice in one day?’ Gemma said when she answered. ‘To what do I owe the honour? You normally text.’

‘Leona’s going on the shoot,’ she said. ‘The shoot that I organised. They didn’t even consider sending me. Honestly, since she joined Pop! things haven’t been the same. She talks about me behind my back and I never get invited for after-work drinks. Never. And then when I suggested a programme idea at the team meeting, she said, “Same old, same old”.’

‘She said what?’ said Gemma.

There was a pause.

Jo knew that pause. It meant Gemma had something to say but wasn’t sure if she should say it.

‘Jo, I think you’re being bullied.’

‘Bullied? No-one’s beating me up, calling me names or nicking my sweets.’

‘Bullying isn’t just a playground thing, Jo.’

Another silence. Jo knew what Gemma was thinking. She was thinking it herself. They were both remembering what Jo’s schooldays had been like before Gemma had befriended her.

‘I can’t help wondering if…’

Another pause.

‘Go on, Gem.’

‘I wonder if perhaps it’s all linked. Being bullied at work. Attracting the wrong men.’

‘You mean, it’s my fault somehow?’

‘Of course not. Get that out of your head right now. It’s definitely not your fault. Look, I’m going to send you…’

‘Let me guess. Another article?’