‘So what have you got to say for yourself, Jem-Jem?’ Meagan sneered.

‘Hudson Hicks offered me a two-book deal.’

‘You never said that,’ gasped Simi.

‘Big whoop. Once they find out about my case they’ll withdraw quicker than a catholic lad having a fumble with his girlfriend in the back of his parents’ car,’ shot Meagan, enjoying that zinger.

‘I’m turning it down and I’m withdrawing the book,’ said Jemima with a calmness that irritated Meagan.

‘So there’s no need for court and lawyers and stuff,’ said Simi.

Meagan shrugged. Though this was an unexpected plot twist Jemima was not off the hook.

‘What about your advance?’ she rallied.

‘I’m taking a loan to pay it back.’

Meagan floundered. That would be a millstone around Jemima’s neck for years and with no book to generate an income, would leave her struggling.

‘What about Hudson Hicks’s expenses, Shaheena’s commission?’ Meagan said, flailing inside.

She had been sure this book was the most important thing to Jemima given what she’d sacrifice to finish it. How could she now forsake it? This had to be a bluff.

‘Shaheena keeps her commission. I’ll return the advance and pay Hudson Hicks’s expenses as soon as I can,’ Jemima said.

‘It’s true,’ Simi chimed.

Meagan looked at Jemima as her uncertainty built. Jemima always talked about how much she enjoyed being a writer, how much she loved Beverly. Could she really throw all that away?

‘What will you do?’ asked Meagan, now on shifting sands.

‘Go to LA. Start again.’

‘No!’ said Simi. ‘You said you’d try!’

‘And I did, darling, but this isn’t working,’ Jemima said going to leave.

Meagan shoved her hands in her pockets. She wanted to turn away too. She wanted to not care and for this image of Jemima to be her last, but…

‘What will you do in LA? You only know Rebecca,’ Meagan blurted.

Damn. Why couldn’t she just let her go? She was angry, so very angry but there was something else too. Was it love? God, she hated giving a shit about people!

‘Get a part-time job. I’ll still write, maybe try my hand at comedy,’ Jemima said.

‘You could write about this,’ Meagan snipped.

‘Meag.’ said Simi.

‘You’re right. No one would believe it anyway.’

Jemima faced Meagan, the two of them standing like monuments as the world zipped and raced around them. Meagan wanted to forgive but the hurt was profound.

‘Can I ask you something?’ she said. ‘And be honest. Why didn’t you ask?’

Jemima stared at the floor. ‘I tried so many times but, Meagan, you are a bloody scary woman.’

Meagan glanced over at Simi who was nodding in sombre agreement. Fuck. Meagan knew she was formidable at work but how was it her two best friends were scared of her as well. Instantly, Meagan recalled the conversation they’d all had in the rocking horse bar when she’d torn into Jemima for questioning her high standards. At the time Meagan had felt under attack but Jemima hadn’t been critiquing her. In her own fearful and peculiar way, she was asking for forgiveness. Had Meagan become that much of a tyrant that she was practically unapproachable?