I gave him a brief overview of the previous day’s pre-journalist drama, the furrows deepening on his forehead until I’d described Jamal’s perfectly timed entrance. The taxi pulled up the drive just as I finished.

‘Have you reaccepted the job? I mean formally, signed a new contract?’

‘I don’t think I was ever formally fired.’

‘Even so. He’s lost his two top weather presenters in one day. All those ideas, the vision that you presented to Baxter. Maybe you can still make them happen.’

‘I don’t know. Mike Long is not my biggest fan.’

‘Maybe not, but all those other fans have to count for something. You convinced Baxter Bigwood.’ Henry’s mouth twitched up as I opened the taxi door and climbed in. ‘You’re pretty hard to resist.’

Then he’d closed the taxi door and left me heading off in the opposite direction wondering what on earth that meant, and whether my lungs would be able to catch a proper breath before I had to stand and speak for three minutes straight in front of four hundred thousand people.

My innards did settle in time for me to spend a good fifteen minutes contemplating Henry’s actual point, which was about my career, and he was right – if I was going to incorporate some of the things I’d loved about the potential BWM Today role into my current position, then surely there couldn’t be a better time to broach the subject than when my boss owed me a giant apology.

Mike had messaged first thing that morning asking me to drop by his office once I arrived, which I dutifully did, on time and donning my new bad-ass attitude.

‘Ah, Bea. Please take a seat. Can I get you a coffee? Tea?’

‘No, thanks.’

‘Right, well. I wanted to fill you in, in person, about yesterday.’

‘Jamal told me Summer’s been fired.’

‘With immediate effect.’

I said nothing, allowing Mike ample opportunity to offer an apology.

‘So, we’re moving Grant into mornings, and Katie will cover weekends for now. I’m sure you and Grant will make a great team.’

‘Okay.’ I sat back, adopting a bland smile. ‘I’ve worked with Grant before so there shouldn’t be any issues in working together for a couple of weeks.’

He picked up his phone and started typing, as if to signal that the meeting was over. ‘No, Grant’ll be a permanent move.’

‘Yes, but I’m working two weeks’ notice, as ordered by you.’

Mike glanced up, about to offer a blithe correction that, no, I was also back permanently, but then he spotted the glint of steel in my eyes. He put his phone down.

‘Oka-a-a-a-ay. Have you already been in touch with Baxter Bigwood?’

I raised one eyebrow. ‘Would you have been, in my position?’

‘You know we can’t match him on salary.’

‘Money isn’t everything.’