Chapter 44

Tuesday,

"Isn't it just wonderful?" Jenny sighed looking over at Brittney, who was recounting the way her new fiancé proposed for the tenth time that day, while leaning against the wall of Alison's open cubicle.

"It really is," Alison replied sarcastically, without looking up from her work.

"So romantic," Jenny commented again, not picking up Alison's sarcasm.

"Was there something you needed, Jenny?" Alison asked with a frustrated sigh as she massaged her temples.

"Oh, yes," she replied, standing up straight and snapping back to her usual professional self. Jenny was Brittany's assistant and basically the manager of the whole staff. She had been the Chief Editor's Assistant long before Brittney was promoted; many had been surprised that Jenny hadn't been given the top job as she had basically been doing it for years now. "Firstly, I would like to apologise for making you give up most of your Sunday. I would have come in myself but unfortunately I could not make it." Alison could see how sincere she was.

"It's alright, I understand," Alison said with a smile.

"Secondly, I was hoping that you wouldn't mind taking the entertainment section this week, including your own article contribution, all layout and personnel management," Jenny said with a hopeful expression.

"Wait, isn't Mr Bores in charge of entertainment?"

"Yes, but I have just been informed that he is in St Mungo's with Dragon Pox and will be unavailable for at least the next month."

"Oh," Alison muttered and looked up at Jenny and her pleading face. "Okay, I'll do it on one condition," Alison agreed.

"What would that be?"

"That you transfer Mr Bradley Flood to another department," Alison said sweetly, with a confidence that said it was her way or the highway. "I'm sorry Jenny but I just can't work with that guy," Alison continued when she saw Jenny open her mouth to argue. "He's a creep!" she whispered, stressing her point.

"Listen, I know he's a bit…fond… of you, but my hands are tied," Jenny replied in an apologetic tone. "Everybody has already been given assignments for this week."

"But-"

"I know but I can promise if you continue to help us out for the whole month, then I can make sure the rest of the three weeks you won't have to deal with him." Alison thought about it for a bit. "And, of course, you will be reimbursed overtime for this as well," Jenny added trying to sway Alison's decision.

"Oh alright," Alison agreed. "But you owe me one."

"Thank you," Jenny replied gratefully. "You're a life saver."


Le Coin Rose

"Rosie, is everything okay?" Daisy asked, voicing what she and Nate had been wondering since Rose had stayed with Daisy in the kitchen after taking care of her early morning bake and decorating, giving the books a break for the day.

"Yes, of course," Rose answered timidly, without making eye contact. "Everything is fine."

"You just seem like something's bothering you," Daisy said calmly, placing a comforting hand on her back and rubbing circles. It reminded Rose of what her mother used to do to comfort her. She hadn't needed it for a long time; the last time was the night of Victorie and Teddy's wedding. She looked up into Daisy's concerned eyes and sighed.

"Just got something on my mind," Rose surrendered.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"Maybe later," Rose replied. Daisy nodded. "I just can't sit in my office with only my thoughts and numbers in my head right now. I need to be in the kitchen."

"Don't worry, I understand," Daisy said with a reassuring smile, leaving Rose to her own space in the kitchen and continuing her own duties.


Hardware Store

"Do you even know what you're looking for?" Max asked as Scorpius bent down to look at a length of treated pine. They were in the back warehouse of the landscaping and hardware store not far from Albus' run-down house.

"Believe it or not, yes," Scorpius answered. He had roped Max into helping him with the renovation. They had spent most of the day yesterday mowing and weeding the yard as well as making a start on the demo work that needed to be done. Already this morning, Scorpius had organised the concrete for the slab as a part of the ground floor extension that Al had suggested, as well as hired his plumber and electrician for the project. Scorpius approached the sales assistant and placed an order for enough beams to reconstruct the whole house, asking them to be delivered as soon as possible to Albus' new address. From there they went back inside the actual store. The two men talked and joked while wandering the aisles looking for all the tools they might need. Max pushed the trolley while Scorpius filled it up.

"How are you expecting to pay for all of this?" Max asked seriously as he watched the trolley fill up.

"Al gave me some money yesterday for all the start-up basics, and I visited my vault early this morning also," Scorpius replied, examining an electric drill.

"So, have you heard from Sherrie lately?" Max asked casually. Scorpius' eyes twitched, but he didn't look up from the drill in his hands.

"No," Scorpius answered simply. Max just nodded and let it go. However, a thought crossed Scorpius' mind.

"Have you?" he asked, putting the drill in the trolley, turning towards his friend with a serious expression.

"What? No," Maxed answered in a higher octave.

"I don't believe you."

"Okay, fine. Yes, I have heard from her," Max admitted. "She is worried about you."

"Well, I am fine," Scorpius said confidently, walking further down the aisle. "You can let her know that I am fine and that everything is good."


Alison was now sitting in Mr Bores' office looking over the older man's work. Alison could see that most of this week's layout was organised and as Jenny had already said, the staff was already assigned tasks. So, apart from her own article contribution, there wasn't much else she could do for this week until writers submit their work later in the week. However, this week would still have its challenges; one which was heading Alison's way. Bradley Flood strolled into Mr Bores' office, oozing ego and confidence.

"Miss Spencer, it is a real pleasure to see you again."

"I wish that I could say the same, Bradley," Alison snipped.

"Oh, c'mon Alison," Bradley countered as he moved to lean closer to Alison over her desk. "Stop playing hard to get."

"I am not playing hard to get," Alison replied frustrated. "For the last time, Bradley, I have a boyfriend and have been in a relationship long before I met you. I will always be off limits to you."

"One drink?"

"What part of 'off limits, I'm in a relationship' do you not understand?" she barked as she stood up, grabbing her coat and bag and walking around him heading for the exit.

"Alison, wait – Look, I do understand…" he called after her. There was something genuine in his voice that she had not heard before that made her stop. "It's just…well, you're right. You have been in a relationship for as long as we have known each other, but it's the same relationship, and it hasn't changed or progressed. We met three years ago, and you are in the same relationship." With everything she has been feeling lately, hearing this touched some nerves. "Alison Spencer, you are an extraordinary woman, so forgive me for continuously flirting and asking you out in the hope that you are the slightest bit unhappy in such a stationary relationship." Alison didn't know how to react. He seemed so sincere, his confident exterior ripped away. It was refreshing, but all she could think about was Albus and the word stationary as it rang through her head.

"I'm sorry," she mumbled. "It's time for my lunch break," and with that she left the office.


Hi everyone, I was glad to hear that you enjoy the last chapter and that you are sticking with me. Thank you so much for all of your reviews, it keeps me writing. This chapter has probably raised many questions, but I promise you will have your answers in time. It becomes really delicate for me from here; when to give a little, when to hold back. Hopefully, you all enjoy this chapter and are looking forward to the next.

Please review, follow or fav :)

Ps: I apologise, but I am finding hard to find time to write, been super busy, but I promise I will never stop trying to find the time and writing the best I can :)