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Jessica cast her slide deck to the screen mounted on the wall of her office. She was meeting with Rosie to kickstart the project. Rosie had brought two large coffees for them, a packet of chocolate biscuits, and the gigantic water bottle that Jessica often saw her carting around. The amount of water this woman drank was excessive. Rosie sat across from her with her laptop and notepad at the ready. There was something different about her today, in a good way. She seemed calmer in herself. More grounded. With her suit jacket sleeves rolled up, Rosie swept her long brown hair over her shoulder, as if to get it out of the way. Her fringe suited her. She had one of those faces that made you want to pick up a sketch pad and draw it from every angle, her kind eyes drawing you in, the oval symmetry of her face begging to be traced. Rosie had a pair of freckles by her temple that looked drawn on but couldn’t be.

“I’ve read everything you sent over last night,” Rosie said, now looking at her.

This jolted Jessica out of her thoughts. “You did?”

Rosie looked straight at her. “Yes. I wanted to get fully up to speed as quickly as possible.”

“That’s excellent.”

“We have a lot to do.”

“Indeed.” Jessica clicked on the screen she was sharing. She had so much information to convey to Rosie in a relatively short space of time. “Thank you for doing that. It will make this meeting smoother.”

Rosie leant over the table and picked up a chocolate biscuit. “Before we get into all the details, there is one thing that’s standing out. I’m super conscious of time. Eighteen months is not very long to build something as big as this.”

A wave of reassurance passed through Jessica. She needed her project manager to be tenacious about sticking to timeframes or the project would fail. Rosie was more than capable but perhaps a bit too nice and needed to develop a bit of toughness to handle big and high-risk projects. “I appreciate you pointing that out. I have an update on that, actually.”

Rosie’s brow furrowed in concentration.

“I got a call from the local authority this morning. They only have funding confirmed for this financial year coming. So, we need to get the whole thing done and dusted by the end of next March.”

Rosie frowned. “That’s only twelve and a half months from now.”

“I agree. It’s not ideal.”

“How are we going to be able to do this that quickly?”

Jessica sat up straight and elongated her posture. She was going to make this work no matter what. “We’ll work with what we have. I think we can do it if we get started right away. Anything is possible if you want it badly enough.”

Rosie stared at her for a few seconds, as if she deeply understood something. It was like she was seeing through to Jessica’s well-hidden soul. It was unnerving, and Jessica did not get unnerved by people very often. Jessica held her eye, almost to challenge Rosie to look away, which she did.

“Okay. I’ll keep that in mind,” Rosie said, before she took a bite of her biscuit and sipped some coffee.

Jessica focused on the screen and her introduction slide. “I made a new timeline based on the call this morning so the stuff I sent over last night has changed already. I’ll come to that in a minute.”

Jessica clicked onto the map. “The site is located on the river in close proximity to the town centre. The town borders Glasgow and has a population of around thirty-five thousand if you include all the areas. It was once a manufacturing powerhouse producing textiles, machines, munitions, and of course, ships. Shipbuilding was the lifeblood of the town for over a century, until its slow decline in the decades following the second world war and the loss of the manufacturing industry in the UK. It was bombed heavily during the war because it was such a target. The Clydebank Blitz was one of the worst aerial bombings over Britain during the war. But not many people knew about it.”

“That’s so sad,” Rosie said, still staring at the map. “It has a proud past.”

“With the loss of industry, unemployment soared. It has never fully recovered. Of course, places like these need to look forward. And that’s where we come in.”

Rosie faced Jessica.

She did that thing again where it was like she understood what all this meant to Jessica. Rosie was obviously very good at connecting with people.

“The ten-acre site has remained abandoned for decades. No one wants it. It’s good the local authority is finally allocating the money towards making something out of it. It’s a scandal that nothing has been done so far.” Jessica stopped. She was getting too fired up talking about this. She needed to remain neutral and detached at all times. “As you can see, there is a mixture of industrial wasteland and greenspace. The boundary is here” —she drew a line on her tablet device controlling the screen to emphasise her point, outlining a rectangular shape— “all the way over to here.”

“Not short of space then.”

Jessica continued. “These are some of my initial design ideas. I want us to retain what makes the site unique and accentuate that. The rhythm of the space is just as important as the layout, that’s why I want to build paths and create a cycle highway connecting the waterfront to the city and other towns along the river. This town needs to be brought into the twenty-first century and be better connected to other areas, and to attract more people.”

Rosie stared at her again. It was getting under Jessica’s skin, but in a good way. It felt like Rosie admired her. Jessica didn’t mind. It was nice.

Jessica clicked onto her next slide, trying to ignore the warm feeling that she had around Rosie. “The good news is that the local authority, Patrick, basically, has sorted out the planning permission, the legals with land registry, and secured the site in terms of water and drainage. That alone has knocked off six months to a year or more, which is helpful.”

“Go, Patrick.”

“Yes, he’s very passionate about the project.”

“What’s he like?”

“He’s a town planner by the sounds of things. I only spoke to him briefly. He’s spent years getting the planning permission approved. But it strikes me that he doesn’t have much clout at the authority. He’s middle management.”

“Ah, I see.”

“He kept apologising about the reduction in timescale.”

“I bet he was surprised to see our company bid for the work.”

“When he emailed to say we’d won the contract, he seemed delighted, which was great. It’s always better to work with people who are enthusiastic.”

“True. He probably can’t believe how lucky they are to get you. Us.”

“Or perhaps they’re reserving judgement. Can we do the impossible and give them something decent with an extremely quick turnaround?” She wanted to see how Rosie reacted to a little pressure. Jessica would be lying if she said she wasn’t also feeling the pressure. Was taking this project a huge mistake?

“We can. We are going to smash it.”

Jessica felt intention and resolve behind Rosie’s words. It strengthened her too. “Timeline.” Jessica looked at the screen. “Four phases. First phase is site assessment and setup. Second phase is developing the design, the plan, and engaging with stakeholders. Third is demolition, clearing the site, and laying the foundations. Fourth is construction. Since this build is going to be so tight, we’ll need to complete the first three phases within three months. We can’t afford any less than nine months for construction, so we’ll need to work super-fast.”

“I know.”

“So, the first thing we need to do is go there and survey the site. We’ll carry out our assessment including an environmental impact assessment. Please can you arrange for a surveyor to meet us there, and set up meetings with our engineers? I’d like to brief them as soon as possible.”

“Yes,” Rosie said, scribbling things down on her notepad.

“I’ll need everyone’s time booked in if we are to get this done so quickly. I’ve made a list, which I’ll send to you.”

“Great, thank you.”

“Please can you also set up an evaluation to assess the impact of the project on the local town. I want us to be able to demonstrate improvements in health and wellbeing in the future. We’ll need to establish the baseline first.”

“Yes, and yes. Anything else?” Rosie looked up from her notepad, eyes wide and slightly alarmed.

“I’d like you to wind down and stop your other projects and focus on this one, if that’s okay. I need you staying on top of this one if we are to get this done.”

“Oh. Uh, yes okay.”

“This is your most important project now for the next year.”

Rosie nodded. “I will live and breathe it.”

“We’ll need at least two architects on the team with us. I think Tara and Tom will be excellent for this. Once we’ve done our site assessment, can you onboard them? I’d like you to manage them throughout the project, if that’s okay?”

“Yes, absolutely.”

Jessica took a sip of coffee. “The council keeps using the term redevelopment, but I see this as more of a regeneration. This isn’t about making money for some huge housing developer and ticking boxes. This is about breathing new life into the town while honouring its past. Thus, regeneration.”

Rosie’s inquisitive eyes were probing hers again. Her face was soft and kind, as if she was fully open to Jessica’s crazy attention to detail.

“It’s semantics, but it matters to me, and it will shape how we see the project, you and I.”

“I like where you’re going with that. Happy to use regeneration instead of redevelopment from now on.”

“The crane, for instance. They are in two minds about whether or not to pull it down. Patrick approves of the initial ideas I included in our proposal to keep it and turn it into a visitor attraction. He loves the heritage element and trusts us to do this properly, but he is up against some strong voices who are not in favour of what we want to do. The Chief Executive of the council, Mary Bardour, is on board so that’s promising, but with all public institutions, she needs consensus. So, in summary, one of the biggest challenges here will be in keeping to the original brief, keeping what’s important at the front of our minds, and managing the expectations of more senior people at the local authority, as well as local politicians and community groups and so forth. Developing strong stakeholder relationships is going to be key.”

“Uh-huh.” Rosie wrote in her notebook.

This was a huge project, but it was why she and Rich thought Rosie would be great at it. On top of being an excellent architect, Rosie was a people person, which was exactly what this project needed, and one of the reasons why Jessica had brought her onto the project. Jessica knew her own weaknesses, and engaging with people was a skill she’d honed over the years, but it didn’t always come naturally to her. Nevertheless, she didn’t want to do much engagement with this project. She wanted to direct it from behind the scenes. It was a win-win. Rosie would get the opportunity to lead a big project and engage with partners, and Jessica would go undetected by anyone from the town.

Rosie continued to take notes, gripping her pen and tightening her mouth and furrowing her brow the more she wrote.

Jessica felt the need to make her feel better, which was odd for her. She normally barked out orders and was done with it. “Look, I know this is a lot, but I believe you can handle this. I know you have what it takes to lead this project. I believe in you.”

Rosie blushed.

Jessica wasn’t sure why.

“We are going to give them something special here, Rosie, so getting everyone on board is going to be a breeze.”

Putting down her pen, Rosie lifted her head to meet Jessica’s eyes, cheeks still flushed. She smiled, some softness returning to her mouth and eyes. “This project is going to be so special. I can already feel it.”

They held eye contact for a moment longer than was necessary. Jessica could hardly take her eyes away from this woman and the connection she already felt, professionally speaking. She couldn’t wait to get started on this project with Rosie and to build something extraordinary. She cleared her throat as she picked up her own pen to jot down a note. “I’ll email over a list of people at the council, and in the local area, we need to make contact with and convince very quickly about what we plan to do.” She would normally delegate this sort of task to Amelia, her very capable executive assistant. But she was on annual leave this week and Jessica had really noticed her absence.

“Perfect. I’ll create a stakeholder engagement map. Once we have our design set, I’ll start reaching out to them.”

“Excellent.” It was a good start, but Jessica would be on her case the whole time in terms of project management. This project was too important to her.

Rosie shifted in her seat. “I hope it’s okay to ask you, Jessica, but what is it that drew you to this particular project? Why do you want to take on something as complicated and tight as this, in a different field to what we normally do?”

Jessica held her eye. There was no way Rosie was getting the real reason, but, in her sincerity and in that way she kept looking at her like she inherently understood, Jessica considered telling her for a brief second.

And then she came to her senses. Part of her career success had come from being a blank slate, someone who had come from out of nowhere and was wholly focused on being the best architect she could be. That was all people wanted, and needed, to know.

The rest was baggage and bad vibes.

She’d outgrown all that, anyway.

“Getting this regeneration right could make it a better place to live for the local residents. That’s what motivates me.” Which wasn’t technically a lie; just not the full picture.

Rosie held her eye. “Okay then. I love the sound of that. And if we only have time to install a row of planters to brighten up that industrial space, I’ll make it my life’s purpose to hand select which plants go in them. I’m thinking something hardy will be required.”

Jessica laughed and found that she was smiling. She actually laughed. That wasn’t usual for her, at work, or that often outside of work. The smile disappeared slowly off her face. It was a depressing thought.

Rosie was still smiling at her, affectionately. It was comforting. “I’m all for making people happy with a place. It’s why I love being an architect.”

“It shows. I can tell you enjoy what you do.”

Rosie beamed. “Best job in the world, but then, I am biased.”

Jessica laughed again. “No arguments here.”

Rosie stood, picking up her laptop, coffee cup, and looping a finger through the handle of that giant water bottle. She looked good in her jet-black business suit and light pink jumper underneath. Her style was professional but relaxed, and also deeply appealing. The soft jut of her breasts and nice shape of her ass were hard to avoid. Jessica averted her eyes, feeling guilty for her thoughts and for looking.

“So, I’ll see you later for the big meeting?” Rosie said.

“I’ll see you there along with everyone else.” Her comment was dismissive.

Disappointment fell across Rosie’s eyes for a split second, then it disappeared. “Right. Sure thing. Well, I’ll be around before then too if you need anything.”

Jessica nodded, once. She didn’t mean to be cold towards Rosie. It wasn’t Rosie’s fault that Jessica felt distracted by Rosie’s kind and enquiring eyes and apparent ability to make Jessica want to talk.

“Okay, um, sure. Bye.” Rosie let herself out.

Jessica blew out a breath. Jessica was intrigued by Rosie, it was true. A while back, Jessica was on a date at a lesbian bar in London and had seen Rosie at another table, also with a woman and on a date based on their body language. Jessica wasn’t there long, she hadn’t been attracted to her date and had left after only one drink, so it was very likely Rosie hadn’t seen her. She’d seen Rosie another time, too. About six months ago, she was on the street outside the office with what appeared to be her girlfriend given the very long kiss goodbye which bordered on steamy. Jessica had tutted to herself at the public display of affection, at the time, and strode into the building shaking her head. To do something like that at her place of work was unprofessional. But it was also kind of hot. Jessica had spent the better part of that day thinking about Rosie kissing outside the office. The way she held her girlfriend’s face so gently; the way she tilted her head ever so slightly; the way her mouth moved against the other woman’s lips. In truth, she’d thought about Rosie more times than she cared to admit. Rosie was a beautiful woman, and she was funny. She could see why she was so well liked in the office. Jessica liked her, too, and she didn’t automatically like that many people. They were a distraction to her goals more often than not. She always had so much work to do and, well, she preferred to rule with an iron fist in her company and that didn’t leave much room for chit-chat over the water cooler. But with Rosie, Jessica could tolerate, it would appear, a little small talk, but she was adamant that she mustn’t let herself get distracted.

At the staff meeting that afternoon, Jessica looked out at the sea of expressions before her: unsure, curious, excited. Rich looked nervous. She was a somewhat distant leader who didn’t take any shit, but she knew that the majority of the company respected her and would follow her anywhere. Longevity at the company told her that. The way they performed so highly and kept growing told her that. Their continued support of Jessica’s top projects and camaraderie with each other told her that. She was grateful to each and every one of them.

But she wouldn’t let herself get soft. Not when she knew this was the right thing to do. And there was one thing she knew how to do well, when it came to leadership, and that was how to give inspiring speeches and convince her people to follow her into battle.

“So, what I’m saying to you is this: what sort of an architect do you want to be remembered for? Do you want to make a difference to the lives of the many, or to the lives of a few, privileged, minority? We are going to become a company known for its expertise and excellence in changing the face of towns and cities across the UK and potentially beyond. We will be the leaders in how people live in and experience their public spaces. We will seek opportunities to make a real difference in this world, more than we have been doing so far, by constantly thinking of ways to innovate and help people live better lives. We will be remembered as true architects of the built public space. I for one can’t think of anything better than that.”

A deafening silence rung out around the large meeting room. She needed them to follow her. She needed them to be inspired by the new strategy.

But she wouldn’t beg.

No one was going to tell her how to run her own business. Not Rich, not her staff, and certainly not their wealthy clients. Taking risks is what got her to this point, and she would be damned if she was going to play it safe to keep everyone happy. She’d told the senior team before this meeting and had received mixed reactions. Most had appeared outwardly supportive, but one or two hadn’t, mainly George, one of her most experienced principals. He was a big name in the industry and could go anywhere. He thrived off big ticket projects and his reputation. Hopefully he would come around soon. She’d assured them that they would continue with half the business on commercial type projects while pursuing this new strategy. It made sense to do that. She would hold her nerve on this one because she knew it was right.

A few people started clapping. The clapping grew. When the whole of her senior team started clapping, in submission, at least optically, she knew she had them.

The clapping subsided. The mood in the room felt positive. “Does anyone have any questions?”

Pamela, one of her senior team, stood. She had on oversized bright pink glasses and was pulling it off. “Not a question, but a comment. I think this is a brilliant pivot for us. I’ve been saying for ages that we have the talent to do more meaningful projects. I for one love it.”

“I love it too.” Carla, a highly promising architect, added to Pamela’s comment. “How soon can we start working on these new projects?”

“As soon as we start identifying and pitching for work that would be considered beneath us. I’d encourage you all to use your networks and scout out builds that are a bit different. As long as they make a difference to people’s lives, I’ll green light them.”

“Is this a dream come true or what?” Tara, one of the junior architects who would be working with her and Rosie added, smiling. Jessica liked her confidence to speak up in front of everyone.

“I think it’s visionary,” Joe, who had recently won a RIBA award, said. “I can see us picking up some nice little projects with this.”

Jessica smiled, feeling relieved.

Rosie was smiling at her. It was lovely, warm and genuine. Jessica appreciated her support more than she thought she would.

The live link on the projector screen to the rest of their colleagues participating by video call was demonstrating the feel in the room. There were hearts and likes and positive reactions piling in on the chat. A discussion broke out about the types of projects they would say yes and no to moving forward. The fact that people could choose which side of the company to work on was a big relief for many, as those that wanted to switch could do so, while those happy in their current projects could stay on similar ones. There would be some dissent behind closed doors, Jessica was sure of it, but for now, she didn’t care because of the positive reactions from her team while all together. It felt like they were on board, and her instincts were usually good. All she had to do now was make sure Clydebank was done successfully.