I had it. I had a fantastic story.

Of course I could only write one tenth of the interesting things I’d learned since landing in New York, but the article I had for Pepper Smith was sure to get Skye’s attention without getting me thrown into a mental institution in the way that, say, an article titled ‘The Truth About Blood-of Youth’s Vampire Model’ might. Not that I didn’t have a lot to say on the issue. I mean how unethical was it to model a beauty product on a creature that couldn’t age?

‘BloodofYouth exposed’, was the none-too-subtle title of my ‘note’ for Pepper about the BloodofYouth launch.

Serious questions have been raised about the safety of BloodofYouth, the most hyped beauty product in New York this year, I wrote. I covered a lot of interesting points, not least of which was that the BloodofYouth laboratories in Eastern Europe could not be contacted, or even located:

A search of business listings across Eastern Europe revealed that no business of that name has been trademarked there, and Dr E. Toth, the Hungarian scientist credited with coming up with the revolutionary formula, appears not to exist. Romanian actor Charles Shultvitz, who plays Dr Toth in the BloodofYouth promotional video, claims he was simply paid to read from the script and has no knowledge of any real Dr Toth.

‘I had no idea where the video would ultimately be used,’ he told Pandora. He also claimed that he was only paid five hundred dollars for the shoot that is now being used to establish the ‘credibility’ of the BloodofYouth product.

Actress Toni Howard, who helped launch the product at Elizabett restaurant earlier this week, admits she was paid in product for her role as master of ceremonies, and that she never met anyone claiming to directly represent the company.

‘The buzz about it was so good. And I looked great when I first started using it. I had no idea there might be something amiss with Bloodof Youth,’ she told Pandora. ‘But after only a few days I started to break out. I’ve never had an allergic reaction like this before? I can’t get out of bed.’

No one interviewed seemed to have met anyone directly linked to the brand, except the product’s muse. Naturally, I had to be most diplomatic when writing about Athanasia, because although I suspected a lot of things about her, I had no scientific evidence, and I suspected the world was not yet ready for the idea of vampire supermodels.

Supermodel Athanasia, the stunning public face of BloodofYouth, was not available for comment at the time of printing. Little is known about the model, no contact details for her have been found and, though Pandora contacted all the model agencies in New York, not one claimed representation of the supermodel or knowledge of her exact origins, thought to be Eastern Europe.

But perhaps most disturbing is the mystery surrounding the product itself. Officially the product contains a standard concoction of ingredients found in many other inexpensive creams, but Pandora knows of at least two clients falling mysteriously ill shortly after using the product, including a magazine staff member. Is it a coincidence, or is the FDA’s approval as non-existent as Dr Toth and the rest of the BloodofYouth company? And if BloodofYouth and Dr Toth prove not to exist, who will be accountable if the product does contain a dangerous unapproved ingredient?

At the time of printing, Pandora is recommending a reevaluation of BloodofYouth through the FDA. Buyer beware . . .

I proudly presented my article to Pepper.

From the look on her face I could see that she didn’t expect much. She took it into Skye’s office and closed the door. Skye was evidently on the mend (though arguably less ‘radiant’), yet her deputy editor sure seemed at home in that office, I thought. She was not going to enjoy relinquishing her new power.

It took all of six minutes for Pepper to come over to my desk. I could feel her presence behind me. ‘You did all this yourself?’ she asked, incredulous.

I turned and nodded. ‘I did.’

‘And this is true? Dr Toth is played by an actor?’

Again, I nodded. ‘I found him online. I have his words on email.’

‘You have evidence of these conversations? The stuff about Dr Toth and the company being non-existent? I’ll need all of your notes.’

I was prepared for this reaction. No one wanted to get sued. I handed the deputy editor the results of my research, the contact details and the notes. ‘The FDA has to take a look at this,’ I said emphatically. ‘BloodofYouth is at best a fraudulent company, and at worst . . . I don’t know. It could even be a dangerous product.’

‘Mmm,’ Pepper said. I could see her mind ticking over. ‘I’ll have to speak with Henrietta about this.’ The woman from the PR company. ‘Perhaps she can shed some light on the company.’

‘Good luck with that,’ I said. Henrietta had not returned any of my calls. Unsurprisingly.

Pepper looked pretty impressed, I thought. This was sure to get my work noticed.

It would soon be print time for the next issue of Pandora magazine. Perhaps I really could make an impact in this town.