Author's note: HAHA you thought you weren't getting another update till next Sunday- wrong! In fact, I have planned to write a new chapter every day on the run up to Christmas... think of it as a countdown to the big day. Just a little holiday present from me to all of you. Byeyas!

I arrive at work to find everyone whispering among themselves. As soon as I step into the room, they go silent and continue with their duties. I think they are talking about me- don't be so self centred Sam! Well, whatever it is, they obviously don't want me to know. I feel strangely isolated.

Shoving my coat and bag on a peg like every other day, I march to grab a trolley. If everyone is going to ignore me, then ignore me they shall. I can still work without them- it's a solo job.

"SAM!" I turn to see Jess running down the hall. She has a slip of paper waved high above her head that she hands to me, wheezing slightly. Out of all the people I know, Jess is the fittest so she must've ran fast for a long time to be tired out.

Unravelling the sheet, I read it out loud. "Please come to my office asap. -Mr Bellandini." He's signed it and everything. Something is wrong, very wrong. My mind races through possibilities- being fired, the holiday is off or maybe he found out about Tom. I bite my lip and look up at Jess.

"You'll be fine Sam, here. I'll walk you there and stand outside the whole time. Is that okay?" I nod. To be honest, I'm scared stiff but I can't delay anything. This is Mr Bellandini we're talking about- the most scheduled and precise man on earth.

I abandon my cart and take Jess' hand. She leads me all the way to his office and waits by the door as promised. "See you on the other side." After a quick hug, I manage force myself inside.

"Ah, Samantha- come in, come in." Mr Bellandini rises from his desk and ushers me to a seat. This day just gets stranger and stranger. "Now, you're probably wondering why I called you in this morning... Let me relieve you of your worries."

I nibble my lip as he clicks each of his fingers in turn, dragging it out terribly. All I want to do is shout hurry up but, you know, he is my boss. That will most definitely leave me unemployed. "I got a call ten minutes ago. From the hospital."

My heart races. I can only hope that none of my friends have wound up in A&E.

"It's Charlotte."

Excuse me? What? Why isn't he rushing to her need, assuring that his only daughter is alive? Selfish bastard. Why is he telling me anyway? Does he think we're friends?

"The thing is, she specifically asked for you." Mr Bellandini rests his elbows on the desk and leans forward so we're eye to eye. "Please share, Samantha, what makes you so much more important than me, her father?"