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‘What?’

‘Take bit parts. If you do, you’ll be stuck doing them. You need something bigger. I have to offer you work, but I can’t actually advise taking any of this.’

‘Great, so I can do shitty little parts and end my career slowly or wait for something that doesn’t exist.’

‘Well,’ Karen said. ‘There is one other thing.’

The way she said it made Molly immediately suspicious. ‘What thing?’

Karen shuffled some papers. ‘Simon Berry called.’

‘Who the fuck is Simon Berry?’

‘Ashley Malone’s manager.’

Molly froze.

‘He thinks there may be some mutually beneficial cross-promotional opportunities,’ Karen said. She had the good grace to be embarrassed by the phrasing.

Molly stared. ‘What does that mean?’

Karen sighed. ‘It means he wants you to be seen with Ashley a few times.’

Molly blinked. ‘Seen?’

‘Seen.’

‘Like...’

Karen made a vague gesture. ‘Restaurants. Events. Openings. Whatever.’

Molly sat there for a second. ‘People do that?’

Karen laughed. ‘Oh, sweetheart.’ She paused, getting a little nervous. ‘She’s been having a few issues with a previous, er, paramour. And people connected the dots about you two, apparently.’

‘Yes, I’m aware of her romantic issues; you don’t need to deliver the news that she carried on dating like it’s a cancer diagnosis.’

Karen gave a thin, placatory smile.

‘Anyway, her teeny boppers wouldn’t give a shit about me,’ Molly said.

‘Once the TikTokers got hold of it, her audience started caring. Posting clips of you. They know you now. Sorry about that. And Simon feels it could be some positive PR for both of you.’

Molly slumped back in her chair. The whole thing felt disgusting. And worse…

Ashley.

But it had ended with Ashley years ago. Which was enough time to get over someone. The fact that Molly’s stomach had tied itself into a knot simply hearing Ashley’s name was irrelevant.

Karen was watching her carefully now. ‘It probably would help.’

‘No.’

‘You haven’t even thought about it.’

‘Yes, I have. It’s gross. No.’

Karen sighed. ‘Look, casting directors are fickle. Producers are worse. If people start talking about you again, that’s how you get out in front.’