‘ … And the next thing I know, he’s lecturing the shelter manager on how wrong it was to let the animal be euthanised just because it wasn’t going to play the part of a cute and cuddly pet.’ Hannah was telling Zoe all about her latest encounter with Ward McKenzie. ‘Hank couldn’t get us out of there fast enough. I doubt I’ll be bringing another Lotus client back anytime soon.’

Her friend chuckled. ‘You’ve got to admit – the guy has a point. Don’t think he was just talking about the cat though, if you know what I mean.’

‘Oh, I know exactly what you mean. He’s already implied that if I insist on trying to make him into something he’s not I might as well put him to sleep, too.’

‘And how did you reply to that?’

‘I told him it was something I was seriously considering,’ Hannah said archly. ‘He just doesn’t trust me, but maybe after what happened in the café who can blame him.’

She’d debated telling Zoe about her and McKenzie’s embarrassing first meeting but figured it would better illustrate the additional layer of difficulty in having him as a client. And she also didn’t want to risk her friend picking up on any of the … confusing reactions he invoked either.

Especially when Hannah didn’t yet understand those herself.

‘You need to consider where he’s coming from. I’m sure he’s dealt with plenty of PR people in the past and you know how some of us are. The key to success often is to have people pretend to be something they’re not. Give the public what they want.’

‘I already told him I’m not that kind of publicist,’ Hannah protested.

Zoe guffawed. ‘Oh, that you’re different? I’m sure he hasn’t heard that before either. Just give it time. He’ll come around. They all do.’

‘I hope so. Though I’m beginning to wonder if McKenzie might truly well be a lost cause,’ Hannah mumbled, keen to change the subject. ‘On the other hand, at least I’m making progress with P-1.’

‘Excuse me? Is that some kind of AI assistant Courtney has? Like the one in the Iron Man movies?’

Hannah laughed at the notion. ‘No, the old guy next door I told you about? As I thought, seems he’s shy about dealing with people in person and he wrote me a note – a nice one this time – to thank me for the Rice Krispie buns. Turns out his bark is worse than his bite. So yesterday I sent over another batch.’

There was a long pause until Zoe finally said, ‘There are times when I really do worry about you.’

P-2,

Thanks for the second helping. I think these might have been even better than the first, which I would’ve thought was impossible.