COMING SOON

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Becca Johnson is a successful marketing manager who has her life stylishly mapped out, until one day her mother is unexpectedly admitted to hospital.

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Late nights, stress and a rediscover sweet tooth lead to her once elegant thin frame transforming into a large cushion of comfort eating and the pounds pile on.

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Things aren’t all bad though, a dishy surgeon and a new career path push Becca out of her comfort zone and force her to re-evaluate her life choices.

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Becca’s life as she knows it is about to come to a screeching halt...

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Excerpt

That day, I started working on yet another new marketing strategy. I worked thought lunch, printing the new document at 3 p.m. It was then that my mobile rang. I rushed back to the desk for it.

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“Hi, is this Becca Johnson?”

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“Yes…”

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“It’s the hospital.”

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I stopped breathing. “Is everything okay?”

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“Yes, nothing to worry about, but your mother is going to have a blood transfusion later and you wanted us to let you know.”

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“Thank you, that’s great, I’ll be there.”

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The nurse previously had said that everything should be okay whilst doing a transfusion – but also that some patients had a reaction. It was then that I’d asked her to contact me if they went ahead. If there was a problem, I wanted to be there. I stapled the strategy document and took it straight to Emma’s office. She was behind her computer screen and didn’t acknowledge me at first. I stood feeling stupid for at least five or ten seconds. She heard me open her door and she knew someone had come in. Why didn’t she look up? I would give it one more second and then I’d start talking. If it was a power game, I didn’t have time for it.

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“Yes?” she said.

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I stepped forward so I was beside her desk rather than in front of it.

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“I’ve finished the marketing strategy,” I said handing it over.

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“Oh, it’s not due until the end of next week.” I didn’t say anything. She flicked through it. “I’ll read it later.”

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I had to plunge right in.

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“I also wanted to let you know that I have to leave now because my mother’s having a blood transfusion.”

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“Do you really need to be there for that?” I sensed an arched eyebrow that she just reigned in.

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“Well,” I said patiently. “There’s a risk her body could refuse it, or have a negative reaction. So it is better that I’m there.” She studied her nails for a moment, and I continued. “I’ve finished my work and if you need me to do anything else I’ll be able to do it when I come in tomorrow.” I could hear the strain and desperation entering my voice.

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She stepped around me and closed the door.

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“Becca, take a seat,” she said coolly. I really didn’t have time for a protracted conversation but I sat down opposite her desk. She stayed by the door.

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“Do you think you are coping?”

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I twisted myself around so I could see her.

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“With what?” I said.

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“Your workload and your mother being ill?”

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“Yes,” I said firmly. “I do.” She narrowed her eyes minutely.

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“Because I wouldn’t want things to get too much for you.”

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I had done all my outstanding work. I always did what I said I was going to do. I didn’t know what else she wanted, so I just kept silent. She moved away from the door finally.

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“Good. I’ll let you go,” she said. “I hope all goes well with the, er… transfusion.”

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I stood up and walked to the door.

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“Thank you,” I said, with an odd mixture of relief and defiance.

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About the Author

Betty Balaba worked in marketing before pursuing her dream of becoming a writer.  Lean Into It, her semi-autobiographical first novel, is about Becca Johnson who undergoes major life changes when her mother is suddenly admitted to hospital for an extended period of time.

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Betty lives between London and the United States, and is currently working on her second novel.

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