Laura took in his words. The way he skirted round not telling her outright that it was him who didn’t want to lose Mia. She wondered how sure he was of the decision or whether it was simply that he didn’t want any conflict. There had been a few times when she’d seen Harry back away from an argument, and it was interesting that he might be doing it now.

‘But you’ve basically given her my job,’ Laura persisted.

Harry gave a short, nervous laugh as he shuffled again in his chair. ‘I haven’t at all.’

‘You’ve given her my biggest account,’ she said, feeling the heat rising inside her.

‘Because I want you to start up something new.’ His eyes widened as he pressed further forward over the desk, as if he expected her to be excited about this. ‘I told you this. I want you to meet the guy in charge soon, in the next week or so. This comes off, like I hope it’s going to, and I promise you, you won’t have time for Coopers.’

‘But you didn’t ask me, Harry.’ Laura heard the slight crack in her words, a hint of a whine, but she continued regardless. ‘Why can’t Mia have this new opportunity?’

‘Because …’ Harry gave another shake of his head as he settled back in his chair, and Laura wondered if his pause was because he was trying to find a reason. ‘Because I need someone I can trust on this one – and that’s you. I know how you work, Laura, I know you’ll be able to crack it.’

Laura released a breath, her heart thumping as she considered what he was telling her and whether or not she believed him.

‘I need my best person, and that’s you,’ Harry continued, smiling. He was on a roll now, though Laura knew well enough that Harry had mastered the ability to say what people wanted to hear. And he must have known how desperately she wanted to hear this.

‘Has Mia done a better job than me?’

‘What?’ Harry laughed. ‘That’s not what this is about. Laura, is that what you think? You think I’m trying to get rid of you or something? The company would collapse if I didn’t have you, you know that. You’re my best.’ His smile had spread into a broad beam now, as if he felt he’d reached safer ground.

Despite this, Laura nodded, her pulse slowing, because whatever lay behind them, the words were still comforting. ‘So that’s the only reason she’s looking after the account for now?’

There was a beat before Harry answered, ‘Of course it is.’