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‘Excellent choice,’ Giuseppe twinkled. ‘I’ll be right back.’

‘So, how long have you been working here now?’ Jo asked over the hubbub of background chatter as she turned to Fliss, seeming genuinely interested.

‘Just over three months. I finished university and had the summer off, before starting in September.’

‘And are you enjoying the work?’

‘I love it,’ Fliss enthused. ‘Every day is different, and I’m learning so much. I really like knowing that I’m contributing, in however small a way, to something larger.’

Jo smiled. ‘It’s not a job interview, Fliss. You can tell the truth.’

Fliss laughed. ‘I really am enjoying it! To be honest, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do after uni – I applied for a bunch of internships and trainee schemes, and just happened to get this one. But now I’m here, I don’t ever want to leave.’

Jo leaned forwards, looking at her curiously, as Giuseppe returned with full plates of the delicious-looking food. ‘Thanks, Giuseppe. And what about your ultimate ambition, Fliss? What would you love to do?’

Fliss thought for a moment. ‘Your job looks pretty cool,’ she admitted. ‘Being a producer – nothing happens without you, you make decisions that matter …’

‘Ah, so I need to watch my back?’ Jo joked.

‘I don’t think you’re in any danger,’ Fliss laughed. ‘And thank you, by the way. I really do appreciate you taking this time with me, I know how busy you are. I’d love to hear more about what your role involves. You’re so lucky.’

‘Luck and hard work are bedfellows, Fliss. When you’re a junior there are some people who won’t give you the time of day, but I always love to hear what ideas younger people in the team have. You haven’t become jaded and suspicious like those of us who have been here for years!’

‘Fliss Courtney! Fancy seeing you here …’

Fliss looked up in surprise to see Bill standing beside their table. He was smartly dressed in a suit and tie, looking every inch the up-and-coming executive. She felt the difference in their status keenly, and knew she looked like the junior she was, dressed down for running errands in cargo pants and a lightweight sweater, her distinctive long hair tied back in a long plait.

‘Bill …’ she smiled. ‘Good to see you. Do you know Joanna Grayson? She’s the producer on London Lunch. Jo, this is—’

‘Bill Oliver, Commissioning Editor,’ he interrupted.

Fliss watched Joanna size him up as the two of them shook hands.

‘Good to meet you. I’ve met your father a couple of times,’ she said, neutrally.

‘Well, he’s worked with anyone who’s anyone, so if he’s met you that means you’re doing something right,’ Bill chuckled.

‘Indeed.’ Jo raised her eyebrows sceptically. ‘Do excuse me a moment, both of you, I’ve just spotted someone I need to speak to …’

Bill sat down opposite Fliss in the seat that Joanna had just vacated. ‘So, how is everything in the world of light entertainment?’ he asked disdainfully. There was a sarcastic look on his face, and it was clear that he considered Fliss’s show to be beneath him.

‘It’s great,’ she replied, trying to sound upbeat. ‘Lots of fun. Every day is different and I’m really enjoying it.’

‘Hardly cutting edge though, is it? Bread and circuses to keep the hoi polloi entertained.’

Fliss hesitated, unsure how to reply. It took a lot of graft and inspiration to make programmes that were popular and accessible. She was learning that quickly. She decided to change the subject. ‘The club opening was fun last week, wasn’t it?’

‘Yeah, great night,’ he said, seeming genuinely enthusiastic. ‘Sally’s amazing, isn’t she? Smashed it out of the park with that one.’

‘Yes, she did,’ Fliss agreed, amused to see the change in Bill. He seemed to soften when he talked about Sally. Although Fliss had left early that evening, not wanting to stick around and watch Tara flirt up a storm with Kit, she had heard that Bill had spent the evening sniffing around Sally. Being the professional that she was, Sally had kept him at arm’s length when she was working. ‘Are you going to watch Tara’s play?’ Fliss asked.

‘As long as there’s not some crisis in the office that I need to deal with. The theatre’s not my cup of tea, but Dad says we have to support the family, united front and all that. I think it’s just indulging Tara’s fantasies of being the next Helena Bonham Carter; frankly, she’s living in cloud cuckoo land.’

‘She wouldn’t have been cast if she wasn’t talented,’ Fliss insisted, sticking up for her friend.

Bill shook his head. ‘Oh Fliss, you have a lot to learn about the way the world works,’ he said patronisingly, with a smug, pitying look. ‘Not sure about that guy she’s acting with, though, the one she invited the other night,’ Bill sneered, and Fliss’s heart jumped as she realised he was talking about Kit. ‘She was all over him like a rash, but he’s obviously not right for her. Clearly she’s just trying to shock my parents by dating someone like that.’

‘Like what?’