‘Readers were really hurt by what Jake said so I think they deserve…’ I began but this time, she spun around and held up a hand to silence me. The words died on my lips.

‘This was all your fault telling Jake that he needed to be honest, wasn’t it? You kept harping on about it even at the time.’

‘I think it was good advice,’ Jake said before I could answer her.

‘It was stupid advice,’ Hayley responded. ‘Because now you’ve only given half the story so the rumours are crazy as to what you’re hiding from everyone. We need to do damage control today. You got a good response when you talked about When I Met You, so I think we should focus on that. I’m going to see the conference organisers and see if we can get you a room today where you could read from the new book and then we can show your publishers there is interest out there. No more talk of your personal life or secrets or excuses; that article needs to be forgotten. We need to focus on getting you a new deal.’

‘But surely if readers…’ I stopped speaking without Hayley needing to say anything this time; the look she gave me was enough.

She leaned in and spoke in a quieter tone as the lobby was filling up with people attending the conference. ‘I am taking over, Freya. You have failed at the task I set you and we will need to have a serious talk when we get back to the office about your future with my company. And you, Jake, are my client so follow my lead today and we might still be able to save your career, okay?’ She gave a nod then looked at her watch. ‘I’m going to find Nora and Christine; you two wait for me here.’ And then she faded into the crowd.

My chest sagged and my eyes felt hot as I watched her walk away. I had never felt quite so small in my whole life, and when you’re my height, that was really saying something.

‘Freya…’ Jake began, reaching out to touch my arm with his hand.

‘Don’t touch me,’ I hissed at him. Then I felt bad when I saw hurt flash in his eyes. ‘Hayley can’t know anything is going on with us; look at how pissed she is already,’ I added as quietly as I could. ‘She’s going to sack me.’

‘She’s wrong,’ Jake said. ‘I could see readers did like me telling the truth; I’m sorry I bottled it and didn’t come clean properly, then we wouldn’t be in this mess. She can’t sack you; I won’t let her.’

‘I don’t think anyone can tell Hayley what to do,’ I said sadly. ‘It’s all over.’