I stand next to Tom’s office door. I can hear him talking clearly from inside. I have to do something.

“Look, I agree that this is a serious setback. But it’s not irreparable. Now that we know what’s happened, and we know the extent of the information that’s leaked into the public domain, we can refocus. We still have time to turn this into a successful issue.”

“Tom, after your foolish outburst last week, this board has lost faith in your assurances. What evidence can you provide that your judgment is sound on this matter?”

“You have no reason whatsoever to doubt my judgment in financial matters. You know damn well that I’m committed to doing the best for the firm during my time here. If I weren’t, you would have accepted my resignation, correct?”

Silence. “So, within twenty-four hours my team will have a fall-back plan complete. This will include a media campaign to reassure investors and the market that the deal will go ahead, and a detailed explanation of the modifications. I’ll need PR assistance to manage the discussion, and—”

I take a deep breath, open the door and walk in. The faces of the board members are no longer looking at Tom; they turn to look at me.

“Excuse me. I’m sorry to interrupt, but this can’t wait.” Tom spins around in his chair. Man, this is getting to be a habit.

“Ronnie, is this really the right—”

“Tom, I need to address the board, while you’re here.” Without waiting for him to respond, I look directly at the board.

“You all need to understand something. The leak that happened this morning was my responsibility. I sent an email to a reporter when I was angry about what was going on. I wanted to stop the deal going ahead, because I thought it was wrong.”

Tom’s hands are fists on the table.

“I am solely responsible for the consequences. The other trainees were innocent of any wrongdoing. As a result, I am tendering my resignation immediately, and I ask that the trainee program be reinstated, and the other trainees be given a chance to prove themselves.”

The faces are impassive. I look at Tom, but he’s staring fixedly in front of him.

Finally, one of them speaks. “Veronica Haas, isn’t it? I’ve read about you in board reports. Your work is very impressive. Very well, your resignation is accepted. Thank you for your confession.”

I lean forward, hands on the table. “But what about the other trainees? They had nothing to do with this. You have to let them come back to work.”

“Ms. Haas, we don’t have to do anything. After this incident, it has been decided that the trainee program this year is to be canceled due to the fact it presents an unjustifiable risk to the business of the firm. Going forward the program will be reviewed, but none of this years’ trainees will be offered roles with Walters Capital.”

“They’re innocent. It was my fault. Don’t you understand?”

“Ms. Haas, we understand very well. But we are not obligated to continue the trainee program simply because only one of the trainees was involved in a misconduct incident, as you so clearly have confessed. Now, this discussion is at an end. You will be escorted from the building, and we advise you to make your whereabouts known to Human Resources should legal action be forthcoming.”

I turn to Tom, and puts one hand on his shoulder. “Tom, you have to do something. Don’t you see what I’m saying to these people?”

He doesn’t speak for a while, and when he does, his voice has a flat, level, toneless quality I’ve never heard before.

“You betrayed the team for your principles. You put your wishes above the needs of the team. My team. Me.”

My heart pounds in my chest. “I didn’t! I was angry, and—”

“You didn’t think about what this would mean for the people who trusted you? The people who took you into your confidence? Mike, Billy, the rest of the team? They have families. They have people who depend on them. They are my friends. You didn’t think about the effect of your actions upon them? Upon me?”

Please, no. “Tom, you have to understand.”

His voice remains level. “I understand very well. You decided that your opinion and your principles were more important than the wellbeing of the people I care about. That I can never accept.”

There’s a cough from one of the board members. “Ms. Haas, we’re done here. It’s time for you to leave.”

I reach for Tom’s hand, but he moves it away from me, staring fixedly at the screens in front of him. Still looking at them, he speaks, and it’s as if we never met.

It’s as if we never kissed. Never made love. As if he never said that I was his girl.

“Gentlemen, let’s continue with discussion of the contingency plan. Ms. Haas, please close the door on your way out.”

I turn away and slip quickly to the door so no-one will see my tears. Before I close it, I glance back at Tom, head bowed, his hands clenched into fists below the desk, out of sight of the cameras, where no-one will see.