There is no inflection at the end of the line, no space for Harri to say ‘I have been asked to launch and run a completely new title and leave everything—and everyone—I’ve worked for. That includes my legacy, and everything I’ve achieved during over a decade of my career. I feel betrayed and humiliated and unsupported. Frankly, Panache can do one.’ So she gets her tin whistle out again, sliding the notes out on a descending scale this time. ‘Hnnnnn.’

‘You can go,’ says Mackenzie, having given Harri two whole minutes of her time. Easing herself off the table, Harri gathers her sheaf of notes and plans, thousands of words carefully handwritten on narrow lined notepaper, neon pink Post-its waving with incongruous cheer. Sleepless nights and gallons of ink and pages of Harri’s best and most brilliant ideas. Mackenzie doesn’t even want to glance at the first month’s content plan. As sulkily as she dares, Harri shakes her books and papers, as if neatening the pile, when she really wants to smash it against Mackenzie’s expensive nose. The room is far too small to flounce out of, but Harri bashes her heels against the tiles anyway.

Harri is able to gain a tiny scrap of satisfaction from understanding the real reason that she was dismissed so rudely. It’s going to take Mackenzie at least twenty undignified minutes to wriggle out from behind the tiny table, and she does not want to concede any power to Harri by allowing her to bear witness to the indignity.

What just happened to me, in there? Harri is blinking, breathing through her mouth. She feels as though she’s been mugged. I’m a grown up, she thinks. I’ve negotiated seven-figure ad deals for this company. I’ve met Prince Charles. I’ve done a TED talk. I’m a homeowner. I carry an Hermès Constance.

Then, three words, before she’s able to stop them. I miss Andy.

If he were here, he would hold her, properly. He would pull her to his chest, and wrap his arms around her, and she’d feel safe enough to weep. He would soak up all of her tears, and rock her gently, and he wouldn’t need to say anything, but he’d say it anyway. That she was the best, and anyone who made her feel like less than the best would have to answer to him, and that no one would ever, ever be allowed to hurt his girl.

No one but Andy himself, apparently.