Without me youd never get anywhere, Katie muttered, stirring her cappuccino in the cramped café on Brick Lane, the rain glistening on the windowpanes.
Clients have been thin lately, Anna, her friend said, wiping the bridge of her nose with the back of her hand as she leaned back in the battered wooden chair. Do you ever regret leaving the office?
Just get back, Katie replied coolly, taking a sip. Theyll roll out the red carpet for you.
Anna snorted, shaking her head.
Honestly, Id rather be on my own than live under the constant gaze of a manager. I just need to get my name out there.
For the past six months she had poured every ounce of energy into her fledgling photography business. Shed built a portfolio, launched a new Instagram page, and posted fresh work every week. Clients trickled in, but the flow was erraticone week a rush of family shoots, the next a quiet lull with only the wind rattling through empty pockets. She knew it would take time, patience, and a relentless grind.
Katie worked as a sales associate in a bigbox electronics store in Stratford. With a bright smile and a knack for small talk, she could charm anyone from the teenager hunting the latest game console to the elderly couple looking for a new television. Whenever conversation drifted toward birthdays or upcoming celebrations, shed casually drop, My friend Annas a brilliant photographer. A couple of times that offhand remark landed Anna modest gigsnot grand, but enough to keep the lights on.
Remember that young couple who came in last Thursday? Katie said, frowning as she swirled her coffee. I sent them your way for a newborn shoot.
Oh, right, Anna nodded, a faint smile appearing. Thanks, actually. They were lovely, and the baby was an absolute dream.
Dont thank me, Katie waved a hand. But seriously, you couldve cut me a slice of the fee.
Anna paused, the cup hovering between her lips.
What?
Its only logical, Katie shrugged. I bring the clients, you take the pictures. Were partners, arent we?
For a heartbeat Anna stared at her friend, trying to gauge whether she was joking. Then she laughed, the sound nervous.
You scare me sometimes with that dry humor.
Just thinking out loud, Katie said, grinning.
They drifted onto safer topicsnew series on Netflix, mutual acquaintances, weekend plans. Anna let the odd comment fade, convincing herself Katie had merely made a clumsy joke.
Months slipped by in a montage of shoots: families in HydePark, childrens birthday parties in indoor play zones, corporate headshots for CVs. She posted ads on local forums, struck deals with event planners, and politely asked satisfied clients for reviews. The client list grew slowly but steadily.
Meanwhile Katie kept reminding Anna of her contributions. Sometimes shed toss a flippant, If it werent for me, youd still be jobless, other times shed feign injury, Ive sent you so many people, and you never properly thank me. Anna brushed it off. Katie had a habit of inflating her role in others successesa quirk, nothing more. Sure, shed sent a handful of customers Annas way, but Anna could have survived without them.
One evening, Anna burst into Katies flat on Camden Road. Katie looked pale, dark circles under her eyes, a thin blanket draped over her shoulders. Over tea, Katie finally broke.
Thats it. I cant do this any longer.
Whats happened? Anna asked, putting down the phone where shed been editing a photo.
Im quitting, Katie said, rubbing her face with her palms. Im fed up with the shopcustomers never happy, the boss breathing down my neck, the shifts are insane. Im done.
Really? What are you going to do now?
I dont know, Katie shrugged. Maybe take a break, think about it. Maybe find a desk job, maybe change careers entirely.
Bold move, Anna said, nodding. Good luck, then.
The weeks after Katies resignation were a blur of lazy brunches, window shopping in Westfield, and Instagram posts captioned finally taking a break and living for myself. She never uploaded a CV, never attended an interview. When Anna asked about job hunting, Katie replied evasively, Just looking, nothing concrete yet. No rush.
A month later, Katies tone hardened.
Damned loans, she snapped, pointing at her phone. The banks called three times this week about a missed payment.
Have you thought about taking a temp job while you look for something permanent? Anna suggested cautiously.
Where would I go? Either they pay peanuts or they have skyhigh requirements. I wont settle for anything less than what my experience deserves.
Anna fell silent. Arguing would be pointless; Katie would find a new excuse. She seemed to be waiting for a miraclea perfect vacancy to fall from the heavens, or money to appear on its own.
Meanwhile Annas workload surged. She photographed a lavish wedding in Kensington, the bride meticulous about every shot, the groom eager to try every idea. The day stretched from sunrise preparations to the latenight reception. Exhausted but exhilarated, Anna spent the next few days editing, then added a short highlight reel for the couple. The payment she received covered her expenses for the coming month with a comfortable margin.
That night her phone buzzed.
Hey, Katies voice sounded businesslike. We need to talk.
What about? Anna kept editing a portrait.
You shot a wedding last week, right?
Yes, I did. Whats up?
That was the couple I sent your way. The bride bought a TV from my store five months ago, and I mentioned you.
Annas brow furrowed. The bride had indeed found her through Instagram after a long search.
So, Katie, you introduced her to me.
Exactly, Katie replied, irritation flashing. Now pay me ten thousand pounds.
Anna stared, stunned.
Youre joking?
No joke. I helped you land the job; I want my cut.
Katie, you only mentioned my name a few times. That doesnt make you a business partner.
It does, Katie insisted stubbornly. Without my recommendation, shed have hired someone else.
Even without it, Id have gotten other gigs. My income comes from my skill, not from your whispers.
So now Im irrelevant? Katies voice hardened. When I was sending you clients, you were grateful. When the money finally came, Im expendable?
This is nonsense, Anna said, wiping sweat from her brow. I get that youre in a financial pinch, but you cant demand money for a casual referral. You left the shop on your own, youre not looking for work, and now youre trying to extort me?
A true friend would help without asking for a handout, Katie said, sounding wounded. Im not asking you to support me; I just want what I think I deserve.
Youve earned nothing, Anna shot back. Just dropping my name in conversation isnt a service. I invest all my time, money, and energy into this businessbuying lenses, staying up till threea.m editing. What have you been doing? Sitting on the sofa watching telly.
Think youve made it all on your own? Katie hissed. Without me, youd be nowhere.
You know what, Katie? Anna exhaled slowly, the weariness in her voice turning to resolve. Im done listening to this. Sort out your loans yourself, get a job, act like an adult, and stop stealing credit for work you didnt do.
Im done with you as a friend, Katie shouted, slamming the phone down.
Anna sat with the handset for a long moment, the absurdity of the accusation washing over her. Demanding payment for a casual namedrop felt like blackmail, pure audacity. She opened her messenger, blocked Katie, erased her from every social platform, added her number to the blacklistno goodbye, no explanation, just an instant cut.
She slumped back on the sofa, eyes closing. How long had she endured these thinlyveiled ultimatums, the subtle threats of shared profit? How many red flags had she ignored, brushing them off as quirks? True friends never count favors in pounds; they celebrate your wins, stand by you in setbacks, and never demand repayment for a simple mention.
Opening her eyes, Anna turned to the laptop screen, where an untouched photograph waited. The work wasnt over. She would keep building her business, chasing new clients, sharpening her craft, and surrounding herself with people who measured friendship in loyalty, not in pounds.
