I set off early this morning,hoping to walk all the way to the Daily Scandal in the sunshine,giving me time to gather my thoughts and my emotions before facing any decisions which Portamus Cumberpatch wanted to throw at me. I had dressed in my finest summer vestments, a pale blue floaty skirt, a matching pale blue top with tiny straps and a long fine pale blue overcape,in case the breeze from the water should cause me a chill. Dingley Dell High Street looked glorious as I strolled along.The sun was beaming on everything in the first moments of the working day. Mercantiles were opening,workers were on their way to take up their trade or their skill,and all seemed to hurry with renewed enthusiasm for the frey.
I stopped to take in a view of the Big Water from the promenade. There is a wooden bench there,where those who wish to muse upon the waves,take stock of their lives or just absorb the landscape for miles ahead, can rest their weary elven bones to do so.
The Daily Scandal is only five minutes from there ,in a huge stone building,with imperious facade,and a myriad of stairways inside. When you first go there,you feel like a rabbit in a maze,but after several visits you know to avoid most of the warren and head for the second floor.
The wide marbled glass door says in bold black letters : The Daily Scandal:ed.Portamus Cumberpatch.
and in red highlighted print :WE APPLAUD THE POWER OF THE PEN .
I always want to add there ; - As long as it is only one hundred words.

I took a deep breath,and turned the handle. Everyone inside the wood and leather office looked up as I timidly stepped inside. Some of the better known faces to me ,received a coy smile from me as I moved towards the reception desk. I knew who would be there,because she is always there, throwing fear and trepidation into any who are brave enough to call.
Faladinka,Cumberpatch's secretary was reading through a pile of papers when I reached the desk. She looked up, rather scathingly I thought, and raised her eyebrows towards me in some kind of invitation to speak. My stomach was turning and my heart was beating faster,but I was determined not to let her destroy my confidence.
In a slightly higher voice than I normally use, I squeaked out " I have an appointment with Mr. Cumberpatch - at nine".
She stared back , her eyes delivering condescending mode.
"I know," she drawled. "You will have to wait. You are not the only one he needs to see. Sit there".
I felt like a recalcitrant sprite as my eye followed her pointy finger to a small sofa near Cumberpatch's door. "There's no tea. I haven't got time."
I felt everyone was looking at me as I took my place beside two other elven appointees,already waiting.
Faladinka was such a witch,with her dark red mouth threatening to engulf anyone who came too close to it. Her eyes were black as coal,with falsely formed black eyebrow furniture. Her face always carried a scowl,and an air of discontent. She was impossible to befriend as she terminated any sociable overture immediately with a vocal slap of aggression.
The two other waiting folk looked sombre,and uneasy under her constant look of censure. I dared not interact with them ,fearing the wrath of Faladinka coming down on all of us. So we each sat in silence ,praying that Portamus's door would open soon,and we would be invited in.

One half hour passed, and still no Cumberpatch. It was difficult not to shuffle. Faladinka's loud tut-tutting whenever one of us coughed or jiggled,was almost an incentive to annoy.
But the door did open. Portamus Cumberpatch's white curly head popped round the door, and alighted on ME.
He smiled,a wide toothless smile,and signalled with his arm for me to join him.
As I picked up my gossamer coat,I spied Faladinka's disapproval at my being taken in first.
But she didn't venture further,so I gallously smiled my very best smile in reply to her disgust.

Portamus Cumberpatch settled back in his dark oak editor's chair,and smiled at me benevolently. It was almost as unnerving as Faladinka's scorn,so I just smiled sweetly back and hoped he would put me out of my misery quickly.
"Amarantha" - he began - You have done very well with your column. Ask Amarantha has been very popular. Your readership has grown every week. Now that it has settled in,I am going to give it to one of the junior elf reporters and see what she makes of it."

My heart sank. I felt that I must try to be professional and accept his clearly erroneous judgment.
"Of course,Portamus,-"I began,but there was no point. He was on a roll and there was no room or time for any desperate manoeuvering from me.

"So " - he went on again - " What am I going to do with you, Amarantha ?"
He leaned forward in rather too conspiratorial a tone,and I inwardly hoped his next suggestion was going to be both wholesome and journalistic.

He rambled on. "You see ,you move in high places, Amarantha . I believe you have the ear of Queen Brighid the Bright. She speaks very highly of you. And your successful interview with Dudley Forepiece a few weeks ago,well, that suggests to me that maybe there is a place for you here,as our newest gossip/entertainment columnist".
I was stunned. Me ,a future in gossip ? From where had Portamus gleaned that unlikely idea ?
But it was already growing on me. "Amarantha's Place" - that could be the title,or maybe "Around Town with Amarantha" - or possibly, "Amarantha's Dingley Dell".
Portamus was watching me now to gauge my reaction.It could only be positive. I knew I had to do it.
I had to play it cool though. There were details to be worked out..................

I am home now and have just given my good news to Pendragon. He smiled one of his inscrutable smiles when I told him.

"Well done, my honey", he said, and do tell me .Exactly how many words ?"

A jolly weekend to you all ,my friends, and may there be adventures galore in the midsummer sun. Remember to laugh, to be kind to those you meet and book your copy of the Daily Scandal in good time.
From Amarantha, teller of tales and keeper of the fifth toadstool from the left. She is the Rainbow Faery.