Damaged Goods by Diane McNab - HTML preview

Caroline watched Jane from her office noticing that in the following weeks the young woman never stopped, arriving early and working late, barely coming up for air. Caroline worried about her. Where were her friends that she could have coffee with or go out with for a few drinks? Personally, back in her day, Caroline had never been a party girl but she still had known how to enjoy herself whereas Jane had seemed to have climbed into an abyss she could not manage to crawl out of.

Caroline had other things on her mind which she realised would have to be addressed sooner than later, regrettably putting another burden on Jane's young shoulders but it had to be done.

A deadline was coming up and Caroline and Jane were busy.

“Done and dusted” Caroline announced “another perfect issue to put on the shelves” and decided now was the time to tackle her dilemma.

Caroline poured a glass of chardonnay for the two of them. a routine they had fallen in to after a busy schedule.

Jane gratefully sat down opposite Caroline sipping the wine and removing her heels.

“Jane I have something to tell you” Caroline said “I don't want you to go in to hysterics. though I am well aware that hysterics is not a trait in your personality. I have been informed that I have stage two cancer and therefore I don't how much time left on this planet.”

Caroline stated this as if she had a bad strain of flu she couldn't shake.

“NO” was the only word that uttered out of Jane's mouth.

“YES” said Caroline.

Caroline carried on ignoring the tears that had started to fall down Jane's face.

“Now there is a lot to be done. I have recommended that you replace me. I am more than well aware that you are young and that might go against you but I am not the only one that has noticed your dedication and I am hoping that that will be enough to place you in the position you deserve to be in.”

“Caroline I don't know what to say.”

“Say nothing” Caroline replied” just listen, because we have a lot to do in a short time.”

And she wasn't wrong. Caroline telling her where all the dead bodies were buried so to speak and for Jane to watch her back “There will always be someone coming up behind you ready to tread on your toes if you slip.”

Not much later Caroline went in to palliative care. The last thing she said to Jane was “Watch out for the snakes in the grass.”