‘No, I mean, Florence, I could help,’ said Evie quickly, looking meaningfully at Florence, who was appraising her with narrowed eyes. ‘I’m Evie—you probably don’t remember me, but I was in your lecture ‘An Introduction to Screenwriting’ last year. I just overheard you saying you’re overworked, and your last intern left. I actually entered a competition a while back to be your intern, and I didn’t win …’ Here Evie almost faltered, remembering how badly the experience had knocked her confidence, but instead she tipped her chin up and charged on. ‘But I still think I’d be a really good one. I’m happy to help however I can. I’m an aspiring screenwriter, but I would be so happy to make you coffee and file your papers, or whatever you need. I’m a huge fan of your work,’ Evie said in one long embarrassing go.

Florence and her friends simply looked at her for a long moment, possibly trying to decide whether she was some kind of crazed stalker, and Evie realised Florence hadn’t yet said a word. Josie’s mouth hung wide open; her number one rule was Do Not Make Business Propositions to Customers after tech giant Bobby Phillips came to see The Hangover and Steven lost. his. shit.

‘You mean to tell me you don’t have time to pick up extra shifts, but you have time to make this random lady coffee, for free?’ Josie said.

Florence laughed and nodded thoughtfully at Evie. ‘I like your chutzpah,’ she said. ‘You said you’re an old student of mine?’

Evie nodded enthusiastically. ‘I’m still at uni, but I’ll work my timetable around you.’

‘What the hell, let’s give it a shot,’ said Florence, pulling a business card from her wallet and handing it to Evie. ‘Here’s my number. Send me through your details, and maybe some of your recent work? Just so you know, I wouldn’t be able to offer you much in the way of money, but if all goes well, I’ll give you a killer reference. And I have coffee on tap.’

Evie marvelled at the crisp, pink card in her hand, in mild shock that she had actually just done what she had. Talking to strangers was one of the things in life she hated most, especially when she was still yet to shower. ‘Wow, Florence, thank you. I’ll shoot you an email as soon as I’m home.’

When Florence and her posse left, Evie stood there stunned yet glowing from the inside out.

‘I can’t believe you just did that,’ Josie said, both disdainful and impressed.

‘Me neither.’

Reappearing, Steven handed Evie the laptop back. ‘It’s all on the hard drive now. I’ll give you a call if I find anything. What was the name of the document you’re after?’