I was very aware of Henry sitting next to me, who I felt sure would have passed even if he wanted this job. But then I thought about how much I did want it. I thought about living so close to Adam and my parents finally taking me seriously and getting away from all the crap that had been going on at work, and how Summer was probably to blame. Even if she wasn’t, she’d given me permission to maul her. All I needed to do was be honest. It wasn’t hard to come up with one or two faults I could mention.

‘Summer is…’

Then I looked across at her, caught the flash of fear beneath her flawless eyeliner, and that was enough. I remembered my vision for this role was being myself. And that didn’t include slating anyone, no matter what they might have said about or done to me.

‘She’s charming, and charismatic, and the viewers love her. She joined the weather team straight from drama school, and has done really well in getting to grips with the forecasting and data side of things. I know she’ll give this role her all.’

Baxter raised one eyebrow. ‘Bea, the team task was this afternoon. This is not some sort of trick, where I’m going to reward you for supporting your competition. I’m giving you one more chance to do what I’ve asked and tell me why Summer shouldn’t have this job.’

‘I’ll pass, thanks.’

‘Excuse me?’ Baxter’s tone hardened like quick-drying concrete.

I looked him right in the eye, ignored my thundering heart and repeated myself. ‘I’ll pass. Thank you for the opportunity, but I’m going to leave you to it.’

With that, I pushed back my chair, fumbled to my feet, and walked out, praying that no one could spot my legs trembling. Thankfully, I made it all the way to my room before they gave way altogether.

15

Henry was not far behind me.

‘Wow,’ he offered, leaning back on the chest of drawers.

‘Yeah. It looks as though I’ve wasted two days of your time. Sorry.’

‘No apology necessary. I’m impressed you lasted that long, but if you’re sure you made the right decision that’s what matters.’

‘I’m not at all sure,’ I replied, sniffing back a sob. ‘I really want that job. If I’d thought about it I could probably have found something bad-but-really-good to say about everyone, like, “they have terrible work-life balance, always in the office” or “they’re massive nit-pickers who won’t leave a stone unturned”. The whole thing just felt wrong and mean. No wonder he has no HR staff or producers at these interviews.’

‘Definitely a case of power having obliterated any sense of reason or perspective.’ He grimaced. ‘Summer wangling her way to the top spot proves that.’