On her fourth day in the job, my new assistant baked me a cake. The Coronation of King Charles III was that weekend, and she made a beautiful Union Jack-themed lemon drizzle using blueberries and raspberries for the red and blue stripes. I was delighted and effusive, but the sweet treat proved the high point of our relationship. For my seemingly happy new hire lasted the grand total of 10 part-time days before resigning.