She shook her head and looked back at her own reflection. Harry wouldn’t have got away with what he’d just said, if she were a man. That was what galled her the most. That and the fact she hadn’t pointed out as much, when he said it.

She would make sure she got her client back, if it killed her. By the end of the week Mia would be gone.

Chapter Three

Mia Anderson had a number of things on her mind on Monday morning that didn’t involve work, so for a moment she had forgotten that Laura was coming back. It sounded ridiculous, especially after the conversation she’d had with Harry only the week before, but that was the truth of it. The events of her weekend had taken over, and it had been a relief when she’d left the house early that morning and driven to the office.

As soon as Henrietta had trilled out that Laura was back, Mia felt her stomach lurch with apprehension, because she knew Laura would be shocked to find her still here.

Within minutes Laura had been standing behind Mia’s desk while she was trying to have a call with one of the marketing team at Coopers, and it was putting her off-track. She needed to concentrate, but now Laura was shuffling back and forth, and Mia was torn between ignoring her and hanging up the call – something she just couldn’t do. Everyone knew how important this TV ad was. She would be presenting the final outline to Coopers in less than two weeks and she had to get it perfect. This was her big chance to prove herself.

Mia had been so relieved when Harry had pulled her into his office a fortnight ago and told her the news that she was to keep Coopers. She’d worked her arse off over the last six months and it had paid off. That night she’d taken some of her new friends from work down to the pub and told them the good news that she was staying on, and they’d been so happy for her. Henrietta James had insisted on buying the first round of drinks, even though she must have known Mia was paid more than she was; and Mia let her, even though she felt guilty about it. In fact she’d been relieved. Her pockets really weren’t as deep as everyone most likely thought.

On her desk her mobile began to vibrate. She pulled it towards her and checked the caller. Mum – Home. Mia closed her eyes briefly and for a second shut out the incoming call, the voice on the other end of the office line and the fact that Harry Wood had emerged from his office. When she opened them again, the call from her mum had already stopped and Laura was finally retreating.