“Me?”
My mind is spinning as I try to understand what she just said as she says loudly, “I want you to take my place, Lily. Step up as editor-in-chief of Designer Homes - on a budget.”
There is a roaring sound in my head as I struggle to let her words sink in. Me - editor-in-chief! I can’t believe it. She laughs at my shocked expression. “Push away those doubts darling, you could do this standing on your head. It’s what you’ve been trained to do, and I have the full support of the suits upstairs. They agree you are the perfect replacement and we are to go straight from here to meet them for a glass of champagne and to sign your new contract.”
My head spins and I can’t form words. This is huge. Too much to take in and I can’t breathe. Me – editor-in-chief – I made it.
Sable laughs and carries on, glossing over any shock her words have delivered. “It all works out rather well. We will move into one of the gîtes while the Château is refurbished. Arthur will work from France and it’s just a quick train journey to bring him to London when required.”
Work from France! I thought working from home was a luxury but working from France, ooh la la.
As her words seep into my rational thought, I feel the excitement growing and forcing out any doubts I have. I can do this - I can. She’s right, I will be the best editor-in-chief this magazine has ever had, and if she could see me now, Aunt Daisy would be impressed. I’m just like her – a successful woman at the top of my game.
I want to punch the air and scream the place down. I want to run around the office jumping from desk to desk. I want to swivel around the office in my chair, waving my hands like a madwoman, and I want to announce it on social media with a picture of me looking so smug it will become my new profile picture. I can update my status as editor-in-chief and update my LinkedIn profile and prove that I was always one of them – the successful women who I followed religiously.
Maybe I’ll set up a club for successful women only, and we will share tips and news to help and encourage each other. I will attend forums and power dress. I will start drinking green tea and wearing my hair in chignons. I may even buy some glasses to make me look the part and I will glide rather than walk as only powerful woman do.
I have almost forgotten that Sable is in the room as I start redesigning her office. It will be streamlined and chic. I will have an open-door policy and will be the most loved boss in history. My staff will be my new family and cheer me as I deliver yet another record-breaking issue. This is it – I’ve arrived and I never knew it. Thirty is amazing because within one day of turning the big three o, I have achieved my life’s ambition.
Sable interrupts me planning my celebratory party and says quickly, “Right, first we’ll head upstairs to see Mr Mitchell and Mr Stevens. Then we will toast your new role with champagne and take some photographs for the next edition. After that we will work out a press release and inform the staff.”
My head is spinning as I struggle to keep up and then she says softly, “I know this is a lot to take in, darling. Once this is all over maybe you should start thinking of what needs doing before the big day.”
“What do you mean?” I look at her in confusion and she sighs. “This job will become your life. Every hour of your day will be taken up with it. It offers huge rewards but desires a huge sacrifice on your part. No more free time because every minute of your day will be spent thinking of what needs to be done. My advice to you is to take all your holidays within three months because that’s my notice period. Do all the things you always wanted to, take a holiday, learn a new skill, I don’t know, live a lifetime in a few short weeks because then the real work starts.”
“But I don’t need…” She holds up her hand and looks quite ferocious. “I know what you’re about to say but take it from one who knows. You think this is everything and it is. But use this time wisely and make some time for yourself before it’s taken away from you. You will understand what I mean when the hard work begins, so trust me now.”
I nod, not really believing her, and she says softly. “Congratulations, darling. You deserve every minute of your success.”
Just for a moment, we stare at each other. The mentor and the protegee shifting roles. The tears spring to my eyes as I realise what this means. She’s leaving. She’s actually leaving and I will no longer have anyone to hide behind. No more sounding board who tells me my ideas won’t work and the reasons why. No one to offer me encouragement and call me out on any bad decisions. No one to impress, hoping to draw an appreciative remark or smile from the lips of a goddess.
My voice breaks slightly as I say, “I’ll miss you, Sable.”
To my surprise, I see a tear in her eye as she nods. “I know.”
Then she stands and holds out her hand, and as I grasp it, she shakes it firmly. “Be the best, Lily, you owe it to yourself. Be everything you ever wanted to be and do it well. You are a strong woman and deserve every minute of your success. Take Designer Homes - on a budget and make it shine. You’ve got this, darling. I believe in you.”
Her words mean everything to me as does she and as we walk upstairs to the management suite, I make a silent promise to not let her down.
♥4
“Aargh, I can’t breathe, I can’t speak, I can’t believe it.”
Laughing, I grin at Heidi and take a moment to enjoy her reaction. Today is the start of my new life in charge and competent, and it feels good to have a friend to share it with.
Then I laugh for another reason as I look at the sight before me. To say that Heidi loves her job is an understatement. Today she is wearing a hand knitted stripy bobble hat and matching scarf. Bright pink leggings are tucked inside white furry ski boots, and her huge padded jacket is as white as the snow. Her eyes shine behind her tortoiseshell glasses and her bright pink lips are turned in a smile as she celebrates my news. Heidi was always eccentric which developed more as she grew older. Not caring what the world thinks, she goes about life with a don’t care attitude and positivity. Her shop is doing well and time is as precious to her as it is to me, which is why I relish our little meetings because increasingly she is the only friend I have.
Shaking her head, her smile is wide and infectious.
“Congratulations, Lily. You completely deserve this. I can’t believe how much happiness I will get when I name drop about my bestie who runs Designer Homes - on a budget. Way to go, I’m so proud of you.”
My smug look is firmly now a feature on my face as I bask in the glory of my appointment. Yes, life is good, for some of us anyway and as I think about Aunt Daisy, my face must fall a little because Heidi says with some concern, “What’s the matter, aren’t you happy?”
“Of course, I am but the timing’s a little off.”
“Why?”
“Because of Aunt Daisy. I wish she could have been here and heard my news. She would have been so proud; I suppose I feel a little short-changed because she will never know how far I’ve come.”
Reaching across the table, Heidi grips my hand tightly. “If you believe, as I certainly do, in the afterlife, you will know she is here with you now.”
Feeling slightly alarmed, I look around me and whisper, “Do you think?”