Georgia swiped down to read: Best not to talk to any journalists. Call Wendy Dewar as soon as you get this? She’s really nice and will guide you through.

Georgia was breaking school rules by using her phone, but there was steam and bodies between herself and any teacher who stepped into the room. When she saw Wendy’s number at the end of Zac’s message, Georgia realised it was one of the people she’d been ignoring all day.

As Georgia pressed call back, a message popped up from Instagram.

Congratulations on your 1000th follower.

Georgia wondered how all these people had found her name and contact details as the call to Wendy rang in her ear.

‘I was hoping you’d be willing to do some interviews later today,’ Wendy explained, after hellos. ‘That image of you jumping is so iconic. I want your voice out there, pushing the anti-budget campaign to young people who aren’t involved in politics.’

Georgia cringed. ‘I’m not very political.’

‘That’s why you’re so great!’ Wendy said reassuringly. ‘We have dozens of stuffed shirts who can talk about the issues. You’re youth and passion. That defiant fist pump as you scrambled away from the riot cops! Fearless!’

‘I didn’t feel fearless,’ Georgia confessed. ‘Zac said I could make a difference, but I can’t see my dad letting me do this. I’m not his favourite person right now …’

‘I spoke to your father already,’ Wendy said. ‘You’re good to go.’

Georgia gasped. ‘Pardon me?’

‘I dropped into his workshop, hoping to catch him,’ Wendy explained. ‘He seemed subdued, but says you’re old enough to make your own decisions.’

Georgia shuddered at this. Her dad wasn’t perfect, but he’d always cared. From obsessing over which parent could drive her home from swimming, to paying a private dermatologist to look at the eczema she used to get behind her knee joints. Now, John had lost a wife, a business and an older daughter. A broken man who’d gone to the workshop with a hangover to tell his six employees that they were out of a job.

From wanting to avoid her dad, Georgia had a sudden urge to hunt him down for a hug. But Wendy kept rattling on in her ear.

‘… I can pick you up as soon as you finish school. I’ve been trying to get you on Hudson at Five on the BBC News Channel, there’s a few radio interviews, then I’d like to get you back to my house to record a short interview we can put on Red News Network, and we’ll need to discuss your ongoing social media strategy …’

Georgia moved the phone away from her face to check the time. ‘School ends in six minutes,’ she told Wendy.

‘I’m by the front gate,’ Wendy answered. ‘I was hoping to catch you coming out.’