‘Kat, you can then answer directly. Run through the demands of Gen Z to set up the creative ideas.’
‘Brilliant. Some theatre to reel them in.’
‘We’ve used a selection of the photos from the trip,’ Andy said, laying them out on the table blown up to poster size. The group shot of the five of us in Madeira was full of colour and joy. It was a textbook holiday snap – we couldn’t have looked happier. And it encapsulated what cruising was all about. The five of us hadn’t known each other before we set sail, but we’d bonded over too much food, plenty of booze and a bizarre selection of activities. And now we had a shared experience that we’d remember forever.
‘These are perfect,’ I said, studying the images. ‘Moments we could never have imagined before we set sail,’ I said, as I looked at it.
‘Correct,’ Heidi said, snapping her fingers. ‘Gen Z want adventure, to live life to the max, to get full bang for their buck and to connect. More than anything they crave connection. We all do.’
‘We can invite stories from people who have met on cruises and had hilarious, unusual and bizarre encounters, usingunimaginable momentsas the hashtag,’ Scott added. ‘Then use the best stories to pitch for the mags and rags and get a word-of-mouth campaign going.’
There was a knock on the boardroom door, and an enormous bunch of pink peonies walked in, shielding ourreceptionist. The top of her pixie cut was just about visible, bobbing along behind them.
‘Wow!!!’ Heidi said, her tired eyes shining. ‘They… are… stunning! Sam is getting serious husband points; he can besucha sweetheart sometimes. Put them in my office, Jules. Thanks, love.’
‘Erm…’ She set them down on the table. ‘These are addressed to Kat… marked as urgent and sent by courier.’
I was flabbergasted. I’d never had flowers delivered to work in my life. ‘For me? Are you sure?’
‘Oh,’ Heidi said, turning her back. ‘Someone’s a dark horse. I didn’t even know you were seeing anyone.’
I laughed. ‘You know me… anyone and everyone.’ I grabbed the card and opened it.
What happened?
Where did you go?
Call me.
L
x
‘Anyone we know?’ Heidi asked, trying to nosy over my shoulder as I stuffed it back in the envelope.
‘My mum,’ I said, my heart racing. There were at least thirty stems in the bunch. It wasn’t a mum-bought bouquet by anyone’s standards, and none of them believed me.
Heidi raised a sceptical eyebrow before turning back to the presenter. ‘Right, well let’s get back to it. Chop, chop. I like where you’re up to. Put the creative into the presentation and let’s regroup and run through it in an hour. See how – and more importantlyif– it works.’
The peonies were open and fluffy and weighed a tonne as I carried them back to my desk. I’d never even seen a bouquet as big as this before; they were almost cartoonish. Was this what they called love bombing? Whatever it was, I couldn’t help but smile. They looked like little pink pompoms, cheering me on as I got back to work. Brooke had probably had a similar bunch delivered. Buy one get one free.
What happened?Exactly my question, Leo! You tell me! I’d been ignoring his messages ever since we’d gone our separate ways, but I decided to have a quick check through.
Tuesday: You were so annoyed when we said goodbye. I don’t understand. Can we meet?
Wednesday: Obviously not. Can we at least talk then?
Thursday: Obviously not.
Friday: Are you getting my messages? I’ve just realised they’re all unread.
Saturday: Have you lost your phone?
No, Leo, I haven’t lost my phone. I hadn’t been getting his messages, but eventually he’d got mine as the daily texts had stopped. But now this. The old BRG – big romantic gesture – if that’s what this was.
I had to acknowledge it.
Me: Thanks for the flowers. Nothing’s happened my side – how about you?
