January 16. Illusionist to return to 'birth place' of his act

 The open plan office was quiet, everyone in their little boxes, talking and typing, thinking and waiting. Jemima hesitated at the door, wondering if she’d go through with it. Wednesday afternoon, half-day once upon a time. She pushed her hands down her skirt, momentarily flattening it to her body like she used to do on stage, and walked in.

Moments like this grow over time, certain details come to the fore, others vanish entirely, editing our own memories to explain how we find ourselves. After a while, it’s hard to remember what actually happened, and plenty of times that’s for the best.

Daniel Rotherhay, the most famous magician ever to come from Newcastle had just announced his comeback, back where it all started which was causing great excitement for the country, specifically those in the local area, but dread to those who’d had the misfortune to actually spend time in his company away from the cameras.

Jemima was one of those people, and even though she’d had prior warning, a message on her phone asking if she could still hold her breath for three minutes, (she couldn’t) she was still confused about why he’d want to return? It was a typical piece of tone deafness on his part to even contact her.

“He won’t have changed Jem” Micheal had warned her, he’d worked with her forever, making invisible holes, and had camouflaged himself so effectively into the background it was always a surprise when he spoke.

“I know, but I have.” She knew he understood and wouldn’t try to stop her.

Daniel had said he’d meet her at work, just like that, he’d never been to her work before, in the five years when they’ been working the clubs. It was like he could go anywhere he wanted, three ring circus or not.

Jemima had told him that was fine, and she took her lunch at twelve.

He was wearing a fedora hat, carrying garage flowers and smiling confidently, she walked towards him, her hands squeezed tight, reading tomorrows headline in her head.