“I just typed in ‘influencer agencies,’ ” says Bonnie. “And you were the closest, and my mum can only look after the kids for a few hours, so I thought I’d come and see you, and ask you about everything.”
“Mmm,” says Felicity. “And if you were to narrow down ‘everything’?”
“It’s not my world,” says Bonnie. “Well, I suppose it is in a way, and I’d like it to be. It’s probably ridiculous, though.”
“The world of influencers?” asks Felicity, looking for a foothold in the conversation.
“It’s just, I have 14K followers now, on Instagram, and I know that might not be enough for Vivid Viral, but maybe it is, I don’t know?”
Felicity senses she has been asked a question. She really should know a lot more about Vivid Viral.
“Fourteen K?” says Felicity, mulling it over. Fourteen thousand—is that a lot? “Quality is often just as important as quantity, isn’t it? How is your tea?”
“It’s perfect, thank you,” says Bonnie. “Calming. Could I ask you a few questions? If you get bored, just send me away, I know you must be busy.”
Felicity clicks her mouse, closing down the Sudoku she has been playing on her computer. “Ask me anything.”
Bonnie takes out a notebook. “Sorry, I wrote them down, I knew I’d be nervous. What is the best way to grow and monetize my social media following?”
“Gosh,” says Felicity. “How long is a piece of string, I suppose?”
Bonnie nods, and writes this down. “Yes. And in numbers what might that mean?”
“Well,” says Felicity, “it can mean whatever you’d like it to mean. What would your expectations be?”
“I don’t need to be a millionaire or anything,” says Bonnie. “Just, I suppose, one day, maybe give up my job? Do this full-time?”
“Influencing?”
“Sorry, you think that’s, no, of course, but I don’t need much,” says Bonnie.
Felicity is desperately trying to remember details from Bonnie’s email.
“Perhaps,” says Felicity, “perhaps I could see some examples of your…of what you do?”
“Of course,” says Bonnie. “Of course, I don’t really know how these things work, sorry, I’ve never been in this sort of meeting before.”
You and me both, thinks Felicity. But she is enjoying the company, and she realizes she feels rather protective toward Bonnie. Perhaps she can put a good word in for her with her new bosses. Whoever they might be.
“It’s all on Insta,” says Bonnie. “@bonnieinspo.”
It is clear from Bonnie’s body language that she is expecting Felicity to somehow use this information. On the computer perhaps? She clicks the mouse a few times and pretends to tut. “Bloody thing,” Felicity says. “IT department said they’d fixed it. Perhaps you could show me on your phone?”
Felicity makes her way around from behind her desk and pulls up a chair to sit next to Bonnie. How lovely to have someone in the office. Would Bonnie think it peculiar if she were to ask her out to lunch? They could go to the Pizza Express? When was the last time Felicity went there? Bonnie shows her a stream of photographs, slogans painted on walls and doors in striking pink. Lots of “love” and “hope” and “cherish.” Felicity isn’t entirely sure what she is supposed to be looking at, but she welcomes the love and the hope.
“Wonderful,” says Felicity. “Wonderful.”
Bonnie smiles, as Felicity makes her way back to her desk. “You really think?”
“Very vibrant,” says Felicity. “Positive and refreshing.”
“Is there…” Bonnie begins. “Do you think there might be brands who would want to work with me?”
“Goodness me,” says Felicity. “Isn’t that the question? I don’t see why not, Bonnie.”
“Wow,” says Bonnie. “What sort of brands?”
“Paint,” says Felicity. “Paint brands? Decorating?”
“Yes,” says Bonnie. “Yes, exactly. Interior design.”
“Interior design,” agrees Felicity. Now she is starting to feel guilty. It’s the happiness in Bonnie’s eyes. She should just come clean, send Bonnie somewhere else. To someone who knows what they are doing. To someone who is not a fossil. Felicity is useless. Useless.
“What sort of brands do you work with?”
Felicity doesn’t work with any brands. She works with UKTV Gold and sometimes the Letchworth Courier. Poor Bonnie. Felicity looks over to the pallets of products stacked up against her office wall. She points them out to Bonnie. “I mean…”
Bonnie swivels, and takes in the random wall of products.
“Oh my God, Krusher Energy Drink!”
“Yes,” says Felicity. The purple drink she has learned never to stare at directly.
“Does that mean…” Bonnie teases.
Felicity raises one eyebrow, hoping Bonnie will provide her with more information as to what that might or might not mean.
“Does that mean Andrew Fairbanks?”
