Real or For the Cameras

The note came down at twenty past four, which is when notes come down, because it is late enough that a decision has been made upstairs and early enough that somebody in the building still has to act on it before they go home.

Nadia read it off her phone standing in the arch with her back to the camera positions, which I had learned by then was deliberate.

“‘Great press today. Let’s not be shy about the obvious. Suggest a market-day two-hander for ep five — Borough, early, the two of them buying for the finale, keep it loose, keep it long. Plus a sit-down: what’s changed since week one. Guy.’”

“No,” I said.

“I thought so.” She put the phone in her pocket. “I’m going to do the thing where I argue his side properly, because you deserve the real version rather than me pretending I’m on your…