‘We’re able to retain a chunk of Mackenzie’s “investment”,’ Harri is surprised to note that Linda is not above making air quotes with her fingers. ‘We want to divert the funds back into Panache. The magazine is part of Hudson’s heritage, it’s one of the most beloved brands in the UK, it’s part of our legacy as a publisher, and it’s one we want to maintain. And we’ve been so impressed by you and your team at The Know. We hope you’ll bring them with you, to the magazine. We want to invest in Panache. Significantly.’

Harri weighs up the word. She could hire Giles back! She might even be able to persuade Akila to come and freelance! Shoots! Shows!

Linda misinterprets her silence. ‘Obviously, we can start salary negotiations immediately but we’d be looking to give you a significant increase. Better stock options, too.’ She gestures to the rest of the room. ‘We need to give Ms Kemp some time to consider her demands. But our legal team will be in touch about the package. And, ah…’ for the first time, Linda looks a little uncertain. ‘Our conversation, just now. With regards to Mackenzie. We’d appreciate your utmost discretion there. We’ll definitely bear the brunt of some industry gossip, which we will ride out in due course. But for legal reasons, what was mentioned cannot leave this room.’

But Harri can. She floats out. Her lucky dress finally delivered. Editor-in-chief. Are you proud of me? she asks the air, out of habit, listening for an answer.

Always, my love. But are you proud of you? Are you sure this is what you want?

Chapter Fifty-Five

A missed call from a withheld
number. And a voicemail

Harri

Harri’s nerves are shot. She knows it’s her job to soothe her disrupted staff. She understands they must be unsettled by the events of the morning, and she has a duty of care towards them. She realises that although she has been forbidden from revealing any explicit details, she needs to share some of the story, if only to contain it. But sound is too loud, light is too bright, her brain is broken glass and her skin is paper. Even Akila’s curiosity is too much to bear. And if Kim says ‘dra-ma!’ one more time, she is going to throw him out of the tiny window.

Her phone shakes, and she shrieks. Her strange, dreamlike day has been punctured. It’s jarring. A missed call from a withheld number is always alarming. A missed call from a withheld number and a voicemail is an invitation to assume that something unimaginably dreadful has happened.