Henrietta:(sighs) Such as the way he only really has time for his own, I suppose. The people who work directly under him. He makes a show of speaking to us all, of course, but it always feels a little … off. I think he’s happiest when he’s around the board table with the senior directors.

Marlow:Mia Anderson is one of your directors, is that correct?

Henrietta:(nods) That’s right. We have five of them now. There had only ever been four in the whole time I’ve worked there, but Harry kept Mia on. Thank God, if you ask me. It was about time we had someone like Mia.

Marlow:What do mean, ‘someone like Mia’?

Henrietta:A woman at that level we could talk to. You know, she’s only the second woman to sit on the board?

Marlow:Mainly men are appointed?

Henrietta:Oh yes.

Marlow:Do you think this is an issue?

Henrietta:I don’t know. I’ve never really given it much thought before. I always thought it was just the way it is. Women go off and have babies. That’s what they say, don’t they? Take me, I went part-time after having kids, so why would anyone consider me for a promotion?

Marlow:You don’t think you’ll get promoted because you’re part-time?

Henrietta:I know I won’t.

Marlow:Is that the way it is throughout the company?

Henrietta:I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with the way Harry does things.

Marlow:I’m not suggesting you are.

Henrietta:I’m not trying to cause trouble or anything. I’m not saying there’s some inequality issue … I never did buy into all the stuff that—

Marlow:Yes?

Henrietta:It doesn’t matter. I’m just saying I don’t want you to start thinking I had any issues. I don’t.

Marlow:I realise that isn’t what you’re suggesting.
     You say it was nice to have Mia Anderson, because you could talk to her. How about Laura Denning? I believe she’s the other director you refer to? The other woman who sits on the board?

Henrietta:She is, but I’ve never really felt comfortable talking to Laura about anything personal. Laura Denning is very – professional, I suppose you would say.

Marlow:Mia Anderson was brought in to cover Laura Denning’s maternity leave?

Henrietta:(nods) Laura went off for six months. She came back two months ago.

Marlow:And yet Mia Anderson is still there? Has this caused any issues, in your opinion?

Henrietta:(laughs) Oh yes, and that’s a whole different story.

Marlow:In what way?

Henrietta:It didn’t go down well at all. The moment Laura Denning walked back in, after she’d had her baby – well, let’s just say we all knew there’d be problems. Yes, I suppose after that, things definitely started to change at Morris & Wood.

Chapter One