Harry got where this was going. ‘So you got here before me, you had breakfast, made a deal and Ellie can outvote me no matter what I say.’

‘I want you to stay on the team, Harry,’ Ellie said. ‘You have an instinct for great stories. If I could click my fingers and make money rain from the sky, I would. But I have to make a deal with someone, and this is the best on the table.’

Ellie’s always been good to me. It must be tough raising four kids with no money. I don’t agree with his business-model bull crap and national expansion plan, but he works seven days a week and deserves financial security … But why did it have to be Janssen?

‘Ellie tells me you’re one of the biggest factors in Vegas Local’s success,’ Jay said, dabbing his mouth with a napkin. ‘But I can get someone in to take the strain off if you like.’

‘Or you could take on a different role,’ Ellie suggested, trying a reassuring smile that came out creepy. ‘You may be young, but you know what people want to read. The start-up sites in other cities need that.’

Jay nodded. ‘My daughter-in-law, Fawn, thought your idea for a photoshoot at their house was genius. And I remember the frustrations of being a sixteen-year-old. Tell me what kinda girl floats your boat and we’ll make sure your new assistant makes you a very happy boy.’

Harry felt patronised and shot out of his seat. His first instinct was to tell everyone to go to hell and storm out, but Harry was too placid for tantrums and he knew Ellie was just putting his family first.

‘The world is full of lives that don’t matter,’ Janssen said, jabbing a fat pointing finger towards Harry. ‘Things have happened in the past that you don’t like, but I’m as loyal to my friends as I am ruthless in dealing with my enemies. So why don’t you sit that ass back down and see if we can work things through?’

Harry thought of Earl and Charlie and seventeen seniors dying in hospital.

‘Ellie, it’s your company,’ Harry said, shrugging and starting a turn towards the exit. ‘You need to do whatever’s best for your family and I need to get to school. I’ve got a math quiz to flunk.’

34 PATIENT Q

Charlie felt helplessly smiley as she jumped off the bus and headed towards the giant sign over Radical Cake Collective’s main entrance. Brad had made her happy. She didn’t love him, and with his girlfriend in the picture things would probably get complicated. But the attentions of a guy who could be a model, and prospects of work and money made Charlie feel like she mattered.