Chapter 24
That afternoon, after Kenny had enjoyed a nap in his old bed, the most refreshing shower ever and a change of clothes, he set off in the direction of the Phoenix offices.
Pushing open the frosted glass door, he was greeted with his second shriek of the morning and something small and blonde launching at him from behind a reception desk.
"Hi Sophie," he grinned, returning the hug.
"Kenny Phillips! What are you doing here? Are you back?"
"I'm not a hundred percent sure on that," replied Kenny. "Just popped in for a visit, anyway."
Sophie detached herself.
"You look great. Really really great," she said warmly. "Do you know, I still have my Kenny Phillips - The Yummiest Man in Rock t-shirt?"
"You don't!" said Kenny in amazement.
"I do. I've just been waiting for you to get famous so I can sell it on eBay," she replied, grinning cheekily.
Kenny laughed. "You'll be waiting a long time yet. Is it okay if I just go in and say hello to the team?"
"Of course it is! I won't even make you wear a visitor's pass," said Sophie generously.
"Thanks, Sophie. We'll catch up later," he replied and entered the office. More squeals and shrieks greeted him.
"I feel like a rockstar!" said Kenny. "Again!"
His old friends from the Junior Gazette days surrounded him, firing questions and generally exclaiming over his tan.
Finally, after the commotion had died down and after promises to share stories about Australia at a later date, he found himself in Julie's office.
"I don't know how she does it, Kenny," said a frazzled Julie, sorting through piles of paper. "And frankly, I don't know how you did it, either!"
"Oh, you know," Kenny shrugged. "I just . . ." He broke off at the sound of commotion from the office floor.
"Now what?" asked Julie tiredly. "I swear, we've had about every distraction you can think of leading up to this new edition. The fire alarm went off yesterday . . ."
"It wasn't Spike again, was it?" Lynda asked from the doorway. Kenny spun around to face her and her eyes widened in shock.
"Kenny!"
"Lynda!" exclaimed Julie.
"Lynda!" exclaimed Kenny.
"Spike!" exclaimed Spike, joining in on the fun.
Julie recovered first. "Lynda, what are you doing here? I thought you were going to be away for a few days."
"Well, I'm not. Not just yet, anyway. I'm not pregnant." She turned to face the rest of the staff who were watching eagerly and repeated herself. "I am not pregnant. Now do you have to be told to get back to work, or do I need to cancel Christmas?"
Lynda was back all right, with a vengeance. The Phoenix staff immediately put their heads down.
"The thing is, I have an ulcer and the doctor says it's partly to do with stress. So Spike and I will be going to America for a holiday. After the first edition."
Julie looked dismayed. "But Lynda, I can't manage without you here! It's too much work! Look at my face! I have bags!" She pointed. "And I'm not talking Louis Vuitton! I don't even have time to put make-up on in the morning. Well, not as much as I'd like."
Lynda looked at Kenny. "What are you doing back, Kenny?"
"Well, it's a long story, but I got your email and I was err – passing by and was wondering if I could help."
"You can. Fancy a temp position at the Phoenix?"
"Doing what?" he asked.
"Assistant Editor," she replied, matter-of-factly.
"Lynda!" said Julie, Kenny and Spike simultaneously.
"What am I supposed to do, fill in the black squares on the crossword?" asked Julie, hurt.
"You can't just kick Julie out of her job, Lynda," said Kenny. "It's not fair."
"Who said I was kicking her out?" asked Lynda. "I've been thinking about this for some time. I was going to make Julie head of Fashion and Beauty. I mean, look at her, she's certainly qualified."
Julie blushed. "Thank you, Lynda. I think that's the nicest thing you've ever said to me."
"And let's face it, your spelling is atrocious and your grammar appalling," continued Lynda, briskly. "I really need someone who can write a sentence without having to Google words like 'philanthropist'. And for future reference, it doesn't start with an 'f'!"
"But Lynda, I don't know if I'm staying yet," Kenny said.
"I said temp, didn't I?" asked Lynda.
"I suppose so," agreed Kenny.
"Right! Well, you said you wanted to help. So help. You can start by giving Julie a hand to move down to her new office."
"Hang on, I haven't agreed yet!" Julie said.
"It's just down from the photography studio," continued Lynda as if she hadn't spoken. "Not as big as this one, granted, but it does have a view and plenty of make-up samples and free clothes inside."
"I agree!" said Julie hastily and began packing her things into a box.
"Good. I'm glad that's sorted. Kenny? Editorial meeting in half an hour. Spike, back to work!"
"Hang on, Lynda. Don't you have some other news you want to share?" Spike prompted.
"You're right, Spike. Actually, I've already announced it. By email."
"Announced what?" Kenny asked. Lynda smiled.
"Check your email!"
Kenny moved around to the computer on the desk and logged into Yahoo. Julie craned her neck to see.
To: All Staff
From: Lynda Day
Subject: (none)
Importance: High
Dear Everyone
Spike and I are engaged.
Now get back to work.
Lynda
PS. I mean it!
To Be Continued . . .