Maddie is approached by Ellie as soon as she enters the office and is asked to meet in a meeting room.
Ellie and another colleague, Claire, inform Maddie of an incident involving Katherine's diary having the wrong date for a meeting, leading to Katherine being upset.
Maddie explains she wasn't informed of any changes to Katherine's diary, suggesting Katherine might have accepted a direct amendment to her schedule.
Claire communicates that Katherine no longer feels Maddie is suited to be her PA and needs someone who can anticipate her needs without being told.
Maddie realizes she is effectively being fired despite Claire's reassurance that it is not a dismissal but a response to Katherine's need for a different type of support.
Claire assures Maddie she will receive pay for the time worked, including the current day, and offers her a letter of recommendation.
Despite a past incident where Ellie and Claire seemed supportive, Maddie now feels betrayed and decides to leave immediately.
Alone and under a bridge, Maddie reflects on her firing and worries about telling her mother, who would view firing as a sign of personal failure.
She takes the unusual step for her of catching a midmorning train, pondering what to do next after being fired.
Maddie searches online for what to do post-firing, finding advice to rejoice, search for a new job, make claims if unjustly fired, start budgeting, seek unemployment benefits, and have faith.
Maddie receives an unexpected text from Ben, someone she met previously, but is too overwhelmed to respond due to recent developments including renting a new flat.
She turns off her phone to take a moment for herself, and a passing comment from another commuter reflects her own feeling of distress.