‘There’s a difference between success and respect.’ Juliette took the bottle from me for a small sip. ‘It’s better now than it was for me starting out, for women in general, I think, but it’s still harder. You still have to prove yourself ten times over, there are still a lot of piles of shit to shovel. Humanity is happiest when people stay in their boxes. The box the industry chose for me isn’t serious, so I can’t be taken seriously unless a serious man says so.’

‘I’m sorry,’ I said quietly, my hair blowing all around my face as I thought about all the things I’d sniffed at and dismissed as ‘not for me’ without really thinking why.

‘You don’t have to apologize, it’s not your fault,’ she said, looking off into the distance. ‘It’s all of us. Everyone does it, me included. Women have two options, either be a victim or be a hero. You can’t just exist. Be the person they want you to be, or else. Do as you’re told, or else. And the only shortcut to credibility is going through something truly terrible and sharing it with the world but, tell me, why should we have to do that?’

I sat with her words, waiting for them to straighten out in my head. Was I a victim or a hero? I certainly wasn’t a hero, and I didn’t like where that left me.

‘It must be hard, balancing all of that with your actual career,’ I replied. ‘I don’t think I could do it.’

‘Singing and writing songs is all I’ve ever wanted to do,’ Juliette said, her words pitching upwards as she spoke. ‘I’m not stupid, I know how lucky I am, no one’s sending me to the front of the sympathy line and nor should they. I’m not Biebs, I’m not going to write a song about how hard it is to be wealthy and successful because dear god, has there ever been a better way to lose sympathy? I told him it was a terrible idea, but he never listens. He doesn’t have to, he’s Teflon.’

‘Typical,’ I scoffed, my eyes bulging slightly out of my head. ‘Classic Biebs.’

‘But it would be nice to have one day where I don’t have to worry about anyone’s preconceived notions or expectations,’ she said with a soft sigh. ‘I really wish I didn’t have to care so much about what other people think.’

‘While I’m right there with you at the back of the sympathy line, I do hear what you’re saying.’ I said with a sniff. My nose was starting to run in the cold. ‘Everyone’s got an opinion on how you should live your life, no matter who you are.’

Even if you’re me, I added silently.