“One last round,” Mike says. “for the best guys and girls with whom I’ve had the privilege to work alongside. Even if, when the markets open tomorrow morning, we’re gonna be single-handedly responsible for bankrupting the firm.” Our pint glasses clink together, and beer spills on the table, but I don’t think anyone cares much by this point.

Beside me, Billy is tracing pictures in the beer with one finger. “Hey Tom,” he mutters, “do you think it’d actually be that bad working at Global Finance for Rick the Prick?”

I look at him steadily. “Billy, you’re gonna have to make that call yourself.” He laughs sourly.

“Yeah, I think I just answered my own question.”

I look around the table, and try one last time to cheer people up. “Come on, guys. No need for long faces. You’ve all got stellar track records. You really think anyone’s going to be out of a job? Seriously, that’s not going to happen.”

“Boss, we know.” Mike looks at me and sighs. “But it ain’t going to be the same. Not without this team, no way.” He claps Billy on the shoulder, causing him to nearly spill his beer. “Maybe we should retire, buddy. How about it? Gardening? Fly-fishing?”

Billy snorts. “Yeah, screw that. On the other hand, that sounds miles better than working for you-know-who.” He glances over at me. “You okay about what happened with Ronnie, boss? I know she had to go, but she was real good, I mean—”

“Yeah, Billy, I’m okay.” The mention of Ronnie’s name puts a cold grip on my heart. I see her face in my head, desperate, pleading, and for a moment I’m furious with myself for hurting her so much. It was her choice. I couldn’t do anything else.

I can’t hide anything from these people, and it’s better not to try. “I’m sad about it, but there’s no other option. The team comes first, no matter what.”

Mike raises his pint glass again. “To the team! Walters Capital’s finest!” We clink glasses again, and I try to get as much of the beer down my throat in one go as I can.

“Heads up, boys; incoming dickhead at ten o’clock.” I look up, and see Rick Parsons approaching, with three of his team behind him. He stops directly in front of us.

“One last hurrah for your team, huh, Tom?” I nod as cordially as I possibly can. “Hey, why don’t I buy a round for my future employees?”

There’s stony silence round the table. Billy mutters something under his breath, and I’m glad he doesn’t say it any louder than that.

“Awwww, c’mon, is that any way to treat your future boss? Come on, you know it makes sense. Sure, Tom might have finished his career with this stunt, but there’s no reason for you to do so as well.”

Mike looks at him. “No thanks, Rick. Not for me.”

Rick guffaws. He’s the only man I’ve ever met who actually guffaws. “Believe me, boys, you’ll be singing a different tune tomorrow when you sober up. I’ll expect your resumes on my desk at 9am. Hell, if you come to the office in person, we can even set about finding you desks. Now Global Finance is getting ready to be number 1 in the market, we’re going to need a whole lot more space.”

“Rick,” I say, as politely as I can, “now is really not the time. Can you talk to everyone another day?”

Ignoring me, he turns to the table, and spreads his arms wide. I really want to punch him at this point. “Come on, boys and girls, just admit it. I’ll do a better job for you than Tom the Loser ever could.”

“Dammit!” Billy slams both palms down on the table, and surges to his feet. Uh-oh. Rick’s team are behind him, staring at us coldly. He’s a broad-shouldered guy; I’m not short, but he’s bigger than me in every direction. Billy, however, is a small mountain, and when he stands up, everyone takes a step back.

“Whoa, boys, looks like we’ve got a live one here!” Rick holds up his hands, but he doesn’t back off. “You a bit upset about the end of the parade, huh?”

“Listen to me, dickhead.” Billy’s voice is cold. “Tom Macaulay is the best boss I’ve ever had, and he’s a good friend of mine. He’s a good friend to everyone around this table. You’ll get no success trying to poach us in front of him. And if you shoot your mouth off again, you’ll get a lesson in manners.”

Two of Rick’s team step forward next to him. One of them peers at us balefully. “You guys talk pretty big. Shame you fucked it up just as big.”

That’s it. Billy cocks his fist back, and for a moment I think it’s all on, but I’m a bit quicker. I shoulder him out of the way, and find myself face-to-face with Rick.

“Mr. Parsons,” I say with careful politeness, “it seems the presence of you and your team is no longer welcome here. I’d remind you that we’re in a public place, and there are cameras everywhere. In order to avoid an ugly scene, I suggest that you and I de-escalate this situation.”

“And what if we don’t, Tommy-boy?”

“Then I’ll lay you out myself. I’m retiring, remember? I ain’t got nothing to lose.”

I stare at him, unblinking, and count quietly to ten in my head. Before I get to ‘eight’, he cracks.

“Sure thing, Tom. Out of respect for what you’ve achieved, I’m going to let you go this time.” He backs away, still with that smarmy grin on his face. “Just remember this, though; the whole world knows what you’re going to do, and they’re going to be watching. No matter what, you’re out of choices. You’ve lost this game before you even start to play.” He tosses me a mocking salute. “Adios, amigos.”

Turning back to Billy, I look at him carefully. He’s still furious, half-drunk, and breathing heavy. I grab both his shoulders. “Man, it’s not worth it.”

His face falls. “Yeah, I know, boss. It’s not worth it.” Sitting back down heavily, he rests both elbows on the table and puts his head in his hands. “It’s just so damn frustrating—like we’ve got nowhere to go and nothing to do. Rick Parsons is right. Tomorrow, when the bond starts trading, everyone in the world is going to be watching us, and they know what we’re going to do. Just like he said, we’ve lost this game before we even start to play.”

If you don’t like the game, change the rules and play a different one. Ronnie’s words echo in my head, and I look carefully at the team around me. Their faces are dejected, but every single one of them, when I meet their eyes, offers me a smile.

That’s it. I stand up. “Guys, I have two things to say. First, it’s been a privilege to work with every last one of you. Nobody could ask for a better crew than this one, and the time we’ve spend together will always be special to me. Second, I want everyone at their desks at 7.30am sharp tomorrow. I’m serious.”

The chorus of groans that greets me is not unexpected.

“Boss, what’s the point? The market doesn’t open until nine, and it’s not like we don’t know what we’re going to do.” Billy looks around, gloomy. “Hell, everyone else in the whole Goddamned world knows what we’re going to do.”

I slam my fist down on the table. “That, Billy Flynn, is exactly the point. Now get your asses home and sober up. I’ll explain later. Right now, I have to go.”

* * *

I walk out of the bar, grabbing for my phone. I ring Ronnie’s number five times, but she doesn’t pick up. On the fifth one, I give in to my frustration and send her a message.

Ronnie, it’s Tom. I understand that you weren’t expecting to hear from me, but it’s urgent. I need your help tomorrow. Can you meet me outside the office at 7am?

Now all I can do is wait and plan.