A vague memory plucked at Evie’s consciousness. Back in the past, which was now the present, their university had run a competition for the best script for a short film. The prize was £1000 and a year’s part-time internship with their choice from a selection of industry figures who also taught at the university. For Ben that would be Catherine Lim, who was dubbed the next Louis Theroux, and for Evie it would be Florence Ivers, who, despite a busy indie screenwriting career, was both wildly successful and passionate about mentoring young, talented people in the film industry. Gaining an opportunity to work alongside her would be a dream come true for Evie. And whereas last time she’d ummed and ahhed and eventually decided she didn’t have time to do it (as she’d been so busy doing fuck all with her screenplay), she now knew that she should have made the most of every opportunity that came her way.

‘Remind me again about what they’re asking for?’

‘A five-minute fiction or non-fiction screenplay for a short, dealing with the theme of hope,’ said Ben, his enthusiasm infectious.

Evie was silent, thinking about it. It had felt like she’d done so little writing for years. As much as she’d been pumping herself up to get back into it now that she’d regained this black hole of a decade, the thought of actually doing it made her feel itchy and overwhelmed. She’d spent so long doubting herself that she was sure she was suffering from some kind of creative trauma.

Just imagine what an internship with somebody like Florence Ivers could do for me, Evie thought. An opportunity to be guided and mentored on the nitty gritty of film would be indispensable.

Taking a deep breath, she said, ‘Sure. I’ll give it a crack. Why not?’

Ben picked up his phone and forwarded her an email with the details, before turning to a new page of his notebook and said, ‘Now, onto the podcast. How about we start with a documentary shout-out and review.’

‘Sounds good,’ said Evie. ‘We could also come up with a top five every time. Like top five movie proposals? Or top five films which pass the Bechdel test.’

‘Yes! Love it.’

Evie was overcome by the thrill of bouncing thoughts back and forth with Ben. And she felt totally elated when he loved one of her ideas.

‘We need something else though. Something weird and whacky.’

They stared at the rows of bookshelves around them.

‘Hear me out …’ said Evie, trying to sound casual. ‘You know how you’re a bloody good cook—’

‘What’s with the compliments, Berry?’ Ben interrupted with a smile.

‘—and carbs are my life? Why don’t we serve a different pasta to eat with our interview guests? We can then call the podcast something punny like, hmm …’ Evie feigned being deep in thought.