I was sitting at my desk, eating a tuna sandwich and minding my own business when I heard a short stern cough behind me. It took a minute for it to register. Then I carefully put down my sandwich and slowly swivelled in my swivel-ly chair.

Annette was standing there, arms crossed. I wiped my fingers over my mouth. “Hi.”
“Hi.” Her voice got all wavery when she was upset. “Can I have a word?”
“You can have more than one if you like.” I offered a smile, but she didn’t take it. She looked at the floor instead. “I need to talk to you. In private?” She ducked her head towards the fire stairs and in a flash, she was gone.

It was cold in the stairwell. It smelt like cigarettes and old people. I felt goosebumps pimple my upper arms. Annette was standing in the corner.

“Look, can this be quick? I’ve got a stack of work to do and a tuna sandwich and…”
“I’m pregnant.”

My lunch did a back-flip inside my stomach.
“Oh God.”