They were very nice about it

Our CEO and his PA visited the UK site. This wasn’t unusual, though we only had one day warning.

We’d had a very upbeat meeting three weeks earlier at the main site and I thought we would be asked to start up a few new projects.

I was stunned to be told that my contract was being terminated.

The decision had been made to stop all R&D activity. About half the company were being laid off. The focus would now be on one key product (one I’d helped invent!) and some support activities.

So I was given a letter and three months’ gardening leave plus the promise of redundancy. I get to keep my laptop and phone, but they have no further need for me after 19 years.

Where now? I’ve not had a job interview in 28 years, having got all my jobs since by word of mouth and recommendation. Set up for myself? I’m too much of a generalist to consult. I’m also 55 – my dad retired at 54, but I don’t think I’m ready financially or mentally for that.

I could buy a 3D printer and sell stuff. I’ve been learning Blender and Python, though not at a level where these could be my sole sources of income.

There will be a lot of talk with my wife. We have paid for a holiday to Australia in August, we can’t not go – there’s a wedding and our 25th wedding anniversary while we’re there.

Let’s see where the next few months takes us.