Kirkwood smiled. ‘My understanding is you’re a regular year-ten pupil and this was your first ever protest march. What made you so passionate about this?’

‘My sister, Sophie,’ Georgia said, choking up as she said the name. ‘She was a junior doctor who committed suicide because she was overworked and made a tragic error. I know these budgets are for local government, not the health service, but it’s the same issue: squeezing more work out of people for less money, and that has devastating consequences.’

Kirkwood hadn’t been expecting an answer like this and broke from his scripted questions.

‘Your sister died recently?’

‘Last month,’ Georgia said.

‘I’m sorry to hear that,’ Kirkwood said sombrely. ‘But last night’s protests involved a lot of disruption. Estimates put the cost of damage to vehicles and property at over ten million pounds. Much of it has to be paid from the very council budgets you are trying to save. So, aren’t SAG and the other groups co-ordinating these protests going about this the wrong way?’

‘I …’ Georgia blundered. ‘I’m no expert. It’s a pity if things are damaged. I didn’t cause any damage myself. We wanted to stop the budget meeting from taking place and I’m happy that we succeeded. Peaceful protest is great, but would I be on the six o’clock news if I’d sent an email to my MP?’

Kirkwood smiled. Georgia felt like she’d cleared a hurdle and her shoulders relaxed.

‘There are going to be some protests as groups try to stop tonight’s budget meetings, but I’m told the focus is switching to a larger demonstration outside the Houses of Parliament tomorrow afternoon,’ Kirkwood read from his autocue. ‘Many teachers, refuse workers, fire officers and other public-service employees will be walking out to join this protest. Do you think you’ll be with them?’

‘I haven’t given it much thought,’ Georgia admitted. ‘It’s during school time and I’m probably grounded after last night. But young people are going to be affected by these budget cuts, like everyone else. It’s worth skipping a couple of lessons to stick up for something you believe in.’

‘So, you would encourage your fellow pupils to walk out of school and join tomorrow’s protest?’

Georgia nodded resolutely. ‘Teachers are protesting, so how can they say it’s wrong for pupils to do the same?’

Kirkwood looked away from Georgia and towards the camera. ‘Georgia Pack, a very determined young woman, thank you for speaking to us. Now, it’s over to Felicity with an update on the weather …’

Monitors cut to the shot from the adjacent weather studio as Kirkwood wheeled his chair over and shook Georgia’s hand. At the same time, a studio assistant in slippers started unclipping the microphone on Georgia’s blazer.