Harri digs her nails into the flesh of her left palm, and counts to five. It doesn’t hurt enough. She squeezes harder. Harder still. Just in time, the pain comes and jolts her back into the room. ‘This platform wants to advertise their launch programme, Confessions, which is an interactive sexual health chat show. They’re very keen for us to think of some features to promote it. Actually, we really should have Imogen up here. I showed the team her blog, and that’s the sort of content they want. Their proposed budget would cover most of our expenses for three months, this is good business.’

Lily wrinkles her nose. ‘Well, we can’t do anything without Mackenzie’s say so, but…’ Katie smirks. ‘She’ll probably say no.’

Akila and Louise are staring, open mouthed. Harri feels her own jaw falling, and snaps it back. She’s got to take control of the situation. She’s the editor. This Mackenzie woman isn’t even here yet.

‘OK, well, we can come back to this. Lily, Katie, thank you for your time. Akila, Louise—do you mind staying for five? We can do a quick entertainment debrief.’ Harri folds her arms, musters her sweetest smile, and stares, unblinking, at Lily and Katie, while fantasising that she is watching them both being fed into an industrial woodchipper, one limb at a time. They try, and fail, to stare her down, before shuffling out.

Harri sighs heavily. ‘You know what? Ask for forgiveness, not permission. I’m going to get this signed off with the brand before Mackenzie turns up. Louise, could you have a chat with Imogen about some sexy content ideas? Akila, we can definitely use this as bait—talk to some sexual wellness brands and see if they want to follow with their ad dollars.’

Akila looks nervous. ‘Maybe we should wait until…’ Harri shakes her head. ‘No, no, it’s always like this at the beginning of a new project. Hudson are freaking out now—but we just need to hold our nerve.’ Harri notices that her palm still feels tender as she crosses her fingers behind her back.

Chapter Eleven

Who’s that Girl?

Imogen

Features ideas

Can your best friend break your heart?

Teledildonics—the hottest thing in digital intimacy or a privacy problem?

Would YOU have a threesome with a Real Doll?

Is social media giving you compassion fatigue?

Meet the new influencers who will make you…something

Is ‘Gen Z’ an offensive label?

How to be a grown up

How to be a grown up How not to be lonely

How to survive until pay day on…