Chapter 32
brEAKING UP
ELOISE
Ihadn't told my flatmates the news about moving out in June nor had I given my boss notice.
After the second documentary meeting, The Duchess and John showed me to my new Palace office.
An office. In a bloody Palace! And it wasn't too bad.
It had a door! I was impressed. Breaking hearts could wait a minute.
Social Secretary to The Prince of Wales. It thrilled me.
I gave myself a moment to soak up my small, but meaningful career milestone.
On my way out, I got brave and passed off a note to The Prince’s assistant.
I decided to write him back the night before.
I watched her deliver it to him as he signed letters to patronages.
I hoped he appreciated the extra effort, but I mostly sent a note to avoid cyber sleuths from having their say. NessaGate remained front of mind.
I told Abi in person. Mark greeted me at the door and led me to the snug off the kitchen. To break the news, I brought a bouquet, some coffee for the new parents, and an adorable knit jumper I'd bought in Wales.
“You're too sweet,” Abi said.
I was lucky enough to hold Sally. She was adorable—tiny, pink, and slept like an angel in my arms.
“She's perfect,” I said. “I wanted baby snuggles.”
I knew it wasn’t “cool” to admit you want children someday.
Women are primed not to mention it—especially to potential partners—but I wanted children either out of a sense of primordial craving or a need to do it “right” to make up for my own shitty childhood.
But as I'd seen too many wives tasked with raising their husbands and children, I knew that dream required the right man. Lucky for Abi, Mark wasn't like that.
“It's exhausting.”
“I bet,” I said.
“Too cute to put down.”
“I get that. Abi, I wasn't intending to do this when I came, but I have bad news. And if you want to rip this baby out of my arms, I won't blame you.”
“Love, unless you murdered someone, I couldn't imagine it.”
“I have not had any homicidal tendencies,” I laughed.
Well, not for anyone but Jax. I wasn't even bothering to tell her until I informed Abi. Last night I wrote a letter to her that was chef's kiss and was planning to send it before I even got on the train to go back to Greenwich. I'd fantasized about it for the past twenty-four hours.
“Well, then what is it?”
“I am resigning. I will see out this month and contract. I will help you all find help. I feel so awful doing this while you are on leave, but I received an offer I couldn't refuse and... it feels like a good opportunity. I will never take for granted the chance you took on me—”
“Oh, stop panicking, sweetheart!”
“Really?”
“Of course! I am excited for you! It's our fault. You deserved a pay rise months ago and I figured if Jax and I didn't act soon, I would lose you. We should have. And maybe we still could?”
I winced. “It was double the money.”
“I cannot imagine we'd match that. Well done! Cheers! What agency is it?”
“I will be the new Social Secretary to The Prince of Wales. Her Majesty asked that I stay with The Prince on tour. Apparently, he's been a nightmare in the past for others, and she thinks I am a miracle worker.”
“Oh, love, that is wonderful!”
I let out a breath I didn’t know I held. “Thanks for being so generous about this.”
“You are twenty-five and doing a big job, but I am not surprised. I started my own agency at your age and people laughed at me. And look at what I built! I saw that spark in you. Apparently, so did Her Majesty?”
I nodded. “I was honored.”
“Of course you were! But it is well-deserved. He's a known problem and very difficult for staff. I think he struggles to trust them. I gather he's clever and willful?”
“He also has an ego. You have to just take a stern hand with him,” I said.
“Well, you've found the secret.”
I agreed. I stayed on for a cuppa and then left. No more baby snuggles.
“Do not be a stranger! We're colleagues now,” Abi said.
I loved her. She found me as an intern, hired me, and now I managed a staff and had an office with a door. I was on a high when I made it back to my flat where the girls snacked and watched telly.
“Well, I missed you. I swear you live in the walls!” Siobhan said.
“I was very busy with my client.”
“Must be a big deal!” Macha said, obviously in on the secret.
“Yes,” I said. “Look, I’ll just say it. I will be taking a new job soon. I cannot say more about it. But it's a pay rise and I will need to move closer to London.”
They stared.
“I am telling you so you can find a new roommate or move out. You can take on the lease.”
“What? How? We will miss you!” Siobhan gasped.
Oh, as if! She was such a liar!
Macha jumped up and hugged me. I tolerated it even if it lasted too long. I thought she was nice. I'd miss her a bit, but Siobhan not at all.
“What will you do without us?”
“I guess I will adjust,” I said. “But the time on the train will not do anymore. Sorry. It's been real, ladies, but I gotta fly the coop.”
I was never happier than having sent you a pleasant “fuck you” of a resignation and having this flatmate breakup. It was a new chapter, and I did it on my own.