Pictures of Lily

hiss, ‘Do you think Mel will mind?’
    ‘Will I mind what?’ Mel interrupts, returning with three mugs of tea on a small tray.
    ‘Good idea.’ I gesture at the tray, then feeling like a meek little lamb, manage to look her in the face. ‘Jonathan asked me to cover for their sick editorial assistant.’
    ‘You lucky bitch!’ she cries.
    ‘Do you mind?’
    ‘Of course not. Get in there. Debbie’s coming back in a few months, you’ve got to make all the contacts you can.’
    ‘Is Debbie definitely returning?’ My heart sinks a little and Mel looks sympathetic as she nods.
    ‘It’s pretty much a cert. She can’t afford not to. So you go for it – don’t you think, Nicola?’
    ‘Absolutely. I totally agree,’ Nicola responds.
    ‘Okay.’ I smile at them shyly and start to pack up my things.
    Jonathan settles me at my temporary desk by the magazine entrance. Thankfully, most of his staff have yet to arrive, so it’s not too mortifying standing there while he explains the bare basics. He tells me he’ll fill me in on other stuff as and when I need to know, but for now I’m to answer calls and emails and help out with anything anyone asks of me.
    The rest of the staff who make up Marbles magazine begin to filter in. Some ignore me, others nod and say hi. Only one girl with a cheerful-looking face asks if I’m filling in for Bronte, shortly afterwards commenting, ‘Hey, aren’t you one of the girls from reception?’
    ‘Yes,’ I tell her, fully aware of how invisible we receptionists can appear to people, even though they see us every day.
    ‘I’m Xanthe,’ she says. ‘I work on the health desk.’
    ‘Oh, cool. Do you get loads of free stuff?’
    ‘Hell, yeah. It’s why I took the job. Marbles may be a men’s mag, but PRs still send me girlie beauty products to butter me up. Listen, let me know if you need any help with anything. I started off as work experience and covered for Bronte myself once or twice in the early days, so I pretty much know what the job entails.’
    ‘Thanks very much.’ I smile up at her. It’s nice to find a friendly face at last.
    As the day wears on, I find my feet and start to relax. At one o’clock I knock on Jonathan’s door.
    ‘I’m popping out to grab some lunch,’ I say. ‘Do you want me to get you anything?’
    ‘No, thanks.’ He brushes me off. ‘I’ve got to nip out myself to get the missus some flowers. It’s our anniversary tomorrow,’ he reveals.
    ‘How many years?’ I dare to ask.
    ‘Eight.’
    ‘Congratulations. Are you sure you don’t need anything? I mean, I could even get the flowers if you want me to.’
    ‘She’d kill me if I didn’t get them myself.’ He grins. ‘Anyway, I know what she likes.’ He gets to his feet. ‘I’ll come out with you now.’
    I feel a mild sense of panic at the idea of walking down the stairs with him and entering reception together. He grabs his suit jacket and shrugs it on while I wait at the door and follow him out.
    ‘I always take the stairs. Can you handle them in those heels?’ He nods at my feet.
    ‘Sure, the walk will do me good.’
    ‘How are you finding everything?’
    ‘Good, thanks. Have you spoken to Bronte?’
    ‘No, she’s recovering from the operation.’
    ‘Poor her. How did you get on with all those photographers yesterday?’ I ask, trying to keep up with his pace. I just about manage.
    ‘Really well. One or two stood out.’
    ‘I thought you’d already have a set bunch of people you use.’
    ‘We do, but it’s good to keep things fresh. Introduce some new talent.’
    ‘Are there many people working on the picture desk?’
    ‘Three. But as I said, Kip, our picture assistant, is on holiday until next week. Are you interested in photography?’
    ‘Er, well – yes, I am, kind of.’ His question takes me by surprise.
    ‘So reception is a stepping stone?’
    I’ve never really thought about it, to be honest, but I don’t want to admit to that. ‘I guess so.’ And then I feel stupid. ‘Not that I think I have much hope.’
    ‘Why not? Everyone has to start somewhere. Darryl James, the Deputy Ed at Flipside , used to work in the post room.’
    ‘ Did he?’
    ‘Yes. Everyone has to work their way up.’
    ‘What about you? Where did you start?’
    ‘My path was dull in comparison. I came straight out of college and started as a junior writer on the newsdesk. But most people do work experience.’
    ‘Like Xanthe.’
    ‘Exactly.’
    We round the