Page 2 of The Dicktionary Club

‘Hey, babe,’ I said.

Katy peeked up at me, then Zola; her face was blotchy and red, and her eyes looked irritated from hours of crying. I hadn’t seen them so swollen since the summer when she’d had a severe case of pink eye.

‘Why is it always me?!’ she moaned dramatically, shouting up to the pair of us.

Zola propped her elbows on top of the stand. ‘I know, girl. You’ve had such a hard time lately, but hey, at least you’re putting yourself out there!’

‘Oh, come on, it’s not you, Katy!’ I said. ‘It’s the awful dickhead guys on dating apps! Look at you! You’re bloody amazing!’

She heaved as I continued, running her hands through her mousy brown hair.

‘You are smart, absolutely gorgeous, funny and .?.?.’

‘And – and somewhat of a legend around here, you know,’ Zola added.

Katy’s whimpers simmered a little. ‘A legend?’ she repeated, curiously.

‘Oh, yeah!’ Zola nodded. ‘Everyone says so.’

Katy turned to me, and so I joined in the nodding.

‘You land the biggest marketing deals on our floor. You are a genius at your job,’ I said.

‘And you are about to get another landmark company on board! Babe, you’ve planned this Blaze Boost pitch for ages. And the reps are sitting in the hallway, waiting for you to impress them.’

Katy’s eyes looked heavy. She was mentally swaying. ‘It’s just .?.?. I don’t think I can, not after .?.?.’

‘Oh God.’ Zola scrunched her face at me. ‘Her legend status is dwindling, isn’t it?’

‘Hmm, yeah. Maybe Andrea was right?’ I gasped. ‘Is the legendary Katy losing her touch?’

‘What?What do you mean?’ Katy was darting a look between both of us.

‘When I moved here from London, I had heard rumours of the badass PR and marketing girls in the Glasgow branch. They all said you guys were a different breed up here, you know, totally career-focused and always able to deliver. And everyone said Katy McIntyre was one of the baddest of the badasses.’

Katy sighed. ‘I know what you guys are doing!’

A smile washed up on my face. ‘Babe, just go get the client. Land the deal. You deserve this bonus.’ I grinned, full beam at her. ‘And I promise Martin will have messaged you by the end of the meeting!’

‘Mark!’ she sobbed back, throwing herself back on the pan.

‘Well, I can promise you, Katy, either way, he will be sliding into your DMs apologising when we post the shit out of you landing one of the biggest upcoming energy drink suppliers in the country!’

My friend remained motionless.

I glanced towards Zola, who shrugged slightly, not knowing what way this could swing. Not knowing if our efforts had worked this time around.

‘I suppose I do know the presentation inside out,’ Katy eventually whimpered.

A sigh of relief washed through me.Thank fuck for that.

‘You see!’ Zola laughed. ‘Come on out, girl! Let’s have a look at ya!’

I hopped off the toilet and walked out of the cubicle where my two friends were standing. I glanced at my watch –one minute left.

‘You ready for this?’ I asked Katy, flattening the collar of her blazer.

Her eyes were still heavy, but she nodded, giving a gentle sigh.

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