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Xavier offered to talk to her first. He has a whole speech prepared about boundaries and respect and how much I mean to him, and I told him he’s welcome to give it but I have to go first.

‘I do,’ she says, and we walk into her office. She shuts the door, because we both know this a closed-door conversation.

‘So, I need to tell you something. A few things actually,’ I say, and I fold my hands in my lap.

‘I have five minutes before I need to be at the town hall, so make it quick,’ she says.

I hesitate, clearing my throat. Come on, come on, you can do this. Courage.

‘I’m in love with your son,’ I say. Which is not the professional approach I was planning to take.

Hillary raises her eyebrows.

‘Xavier,’ I add, suddenly worried she needs clarification.

‘I assumed.’ She folds her arms and leans back in her chair, waiting for me to go on.

‘I developed feelings for him when we were living together, and being apart these last few months has been really hard, and we both want to be together now. And I know that it really complicates things between you and me, that to do my assistant role for you I really can’t be involved with a family member. It’s too messy. And so, as much I love working for you, as much as I love this festival, and this town, I think I should resign.’

I let out a long breath. Resigning from my job, resigning with no plan, to pursue a man, worse, an author—it’s like I’m living out my biggest fear. Unemployed, my feelings on the line, open to heartbreak.

But I’m not scared at all. In fact, I can’t stop smiling.

‘Well. That’s quite a lot to absorb,’ Hillary says to me. ‘But I can’t say it’s a surprise. I saw the way you two were looking at each other yesterday.’

She takes a deep breath. She has her thinking face on, and I know better than to interrupt her.

‘He’s written a new book, he’s happy, he’s in love. And that’s all thanks to you. I owe you a lot, Charlotte.’

‘Well, I can’t really take credit for the book.’

‘Of course you can. And you should.’

‘Oh well—’

‘And so, putting work aside, I want you to know, I am very happy for you and Xavier. Really happy. You already felt like family to me, and now you really are.’

‘Thank you.’

‘But you’re right. You can’t be his girlfriend and my PA. It wouldn’t be right.’

I nod. I was half-hoping she’d beg me to stay on. Offer me a lot more money. Or at least look a little bit put out at losing me.

‘But you were going to leave that role anyway, to be the program manager for next year’s festival.’

‘Is that…still a possibility?’ I ask. She has alluded to it a few more times since we first spoke, but never as a sure thing, more like a dangled carrot.

‘Of course. I will remain the festival director but I’m going to step back a bit, work on other things. I want to launch a book club, maybe a podcast, and an event series, anyway, so I need someone really focused on the programming.’

‘I would love to be the program manager,’ I say, my heart hammering with joy because I had given up on the idea of being involved with the festival ever again.

‘It won’t be like it is now, with you as my assistant. We’ll have clearer boundaries.’

‘Even if I’m with Xavier?’ Boundaries aren’t exactly Hillary’s strong suit.

‘Yes. We’ll figure it out.’ She waves a hand. ‘Don’t ever let a man come between you and a job opportunity.’

‘You don’t think it’s a conflict of interest?’ I’m scared to let myself celebrate the moment until I’m absolutely sure she’s thought this through.