by Gl Corbin
“Thanks. I'm okay now.” She pulled her hands away. “Here – grab a form and pen.”
“I see your admirer is here,” Jody whispered.
“He's just helping out.”
“Of course he is. Do you really think he'd be here if it wasn't for you? Have you two been on a date yet?”
“It's not like that.”
“It would be if you gave him half a chance. Stewart's a great guy.”
“I know. It's...”
“Are you Sarah Jackson?”
The woman had a microphone in her hand.
“I'm Linda Cartwright from OakFM. We'd like to do a short piece on your campaign. Are you okay to answer a few questions?”
“I don't... I've never done...”
“Don't worry about it. There's nothing to it. I'll ask a few questions – you answer. Simple.”
“I don't know.”
“Go on Sarah,” Jody chimed in.
“It will be good publicity,” the reporter said.
“Okay. I suppose so.”
“I'm with Sarah Jackson who is spearheading the campaign to save Milners. Today, the workers are in the town centre gathering signatures. Sarah, what do you hope to achieve with this petition?”
“Well. The main aim is to prevent the company being closed down.” Sarah's mouth was dry.
“What makes you think you can stop the closure?”
“We have to try. So many residents of Oakhampton rely on Milners for their livelihood; we can't roll over and die.”
“What progress have you made so far?”
“We have collected several thousand signatures...”
“Have you actually managed to speak to anyone at I.C.E.?”
“We've tried, but it's a big faceless corporation – it's difficult to find anyone to talk to. We hope once we have enough signatures that they will have to listen to us.”
“Do you have a message for I.C.E. Sarah?”
“Give us a chance. That's all we are asking for. Let us prove Milners can be a profitable company. And please – talk to us.”
“Thanks Sarah. This is Linda Cartwright for OakFM.”
“Well done Sarah.” Stewart kissed her on the cheek. “That was great.”
“Thanks.”
*******
The temperature had not risen much above freezing all day. Sarah was cold, tired and hungry.
“Are you doing anything tonight?” Stewart said.
Sarah wasn't sure if his red cheeks were the result of the cold or if he was blushing.
“Err... No.” The question had caught her off guard.
“Would you like to come out for a meal? Say eight O' clock.”
“I don't...” Sarah could see Jody and Kathy over Stewart's shoulder. Kathy was making an exaggerated nodding gesture. Jody was giving the thumb's up.
“Sure. Why not?” She couldn't think of any polite way to say no.
“Great. I'll come and pick you up at seven thirty. I thought we might go to the Oak.”
“That's fine. See you then.”
Stewart bounced away.
“What?” Sarah held her palms up.
“We never said a word.” Jody laughed.
“You didn't need to. Did you two put him up to this?”
Kathy and Jody both shook their heads, but Sarah wasn't convinced. She had been looking forward to a quiet evening in with a glass of wine and a bar of chocolate.
“Oh shit!” Sarah said.
“Stewart's not that bad,” Kathy said.
“Not Stewart. Look!”
Kathy and Jody looked around to see what Sarah was pointing at.
“You're becoming a local celebrity.” Kathy laughed.
The local TV film crew had parked on the pedestrian area, and were making their way towards Sarah.
Chapter 4
“Our table is booked for eight fifteen,” Stewart said. “Do you want a drink in the bar first?”
Sarah hadn't been to the Oak before, so she hadn't been sure what to wear. In the end, she had played it safe by choosing a rather conservative skirt and jacket.
“Cheers.” Sarah sipped the Orange juice. She wanted to keep a clear head to ensure she didn't do anything she might regret in the morning.
“I saw you on the news.” Stewart had settled for a beer.
“I looked terrible. My nose was bright red.”
“You looked great.” He blushed again. “You came across really well.”
“Do you think so? The TV station picked up on the story from the radio piece. I'm not sure either will do the cause any good.”
“I'm sure they will. The more publicity the better.”
“I hope you're right, but I find it hard to believe that anyone at I.C.E. will care.”
“I thought you were optimistic about your chances.”
“I have to take that line when I'm with Kathy and Jody. Especially Jody – she's on a knife's edge. I don't know how she is going to cope if Milners does close. Can we talk about something else tonight? I feel like it's been taking over my life recently.”
“Of course.”
The meal was fabulous. Sarah was much hungrier than she had thought, and did justice to all three courses. Stewart was good company. Once he had relaxed, helped in part by three beers, he was good fun and easy to talk to. Even so, Sarah was concerned he might read too much into their 'date'. She wasn't ready for a relationship yet. Despite what everyone might be telling her, it felt too soon.
*******
Sarah needn't have worried. Stewart hadn’t made any advances, not even a peck on the cheek. She had thought he might be working up the courage to ask if they could go out together again, but in the end he had simply said goodnight.
The answer phone light was blinking when she arrived home. Sarah didn't get that many calls, especially not on her landline. She knew who it would be – Kathy or Jody – or both. They would be desperate to know how her evening had gone. Well they would have to wait. She was tired and knew if she returned their calls, it would be another hour before she got to bed.
She hated coming home to an empty apartment. The lease didn't run out for another six months. Sarah knew she should have moved out long ago even if it had meant having to pay the remaining rent. Every room held memories, some good, most bad. As soon as this business with Milners was settled, one way or the other, she promised herself she would find somewhere else to live.
*******
Sarah tried to get her bearings. Something had woken her – but what? The phone rang again. A quick glance at her watch confirmed it wasn't yet 6.00am. Who the hell was calling her at this ungodly hour?
“Hello?” Sarah caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror, and wished she hadn't.
“Who? No, yes – I haven't played them yet. When?”
The caller was a researcher for one of the national TV news companies. The answer phone messages had not been from Jody or Kathy after all. Apparently, the news station had been trying to reach her the previous night. Sarah was still half asleep, but from what she could make out, Andrew Cross had been challenged by the business editor to explain his company's predatory methods. It just so happened that Sarah's small piece to camera for the local news had been included in the interview with Cross. He had been challenged to meet Sarah face to face on the next business news section which went out live on Thursday. The researcher wanted to confirm Sarah would be available.
She said she would get back to him. The non-response wasn't well received – the researcher was more used to dealing with business men who would sell their granny for a chance to promote their company. Sarah wasn't sure what scared her most: being on TV or facing Andrew Cross.
“You have to do it!” Jody was so excited she hadn't even asked Sarah about her date with Stewart. “This is our big chance. You can put that bastard Andrew Cross on the spot.”
“Yeah. Jody's right.” Kathy said. “You have to do it. When do you have to let them know?”
“By midday.”
&nbs
p; “Call them now.” Jody handed Sarah her mobile phone.
*******
“Sarah? Hi. It's Stewart.”
“Hi.” Sarah hadn't expected a call from him so soon after their first 'date'.
“Jody told me about the TV thing. Great news?”
“I hope so. I'm a bit nervous though.”
“You'll be fine. You came over really well last time.”
“I think this will be a lot tougher. Andrew Cross is going to be there. I tried to persuade them to let me do my bit from the local studio, but they insisted I'm in the same room as him. I think they are hoping to see sparks fly.”
“When is it? Tomorrow?”
“Yeah. I have to travel down at the break of dawn. Still, they are paying for first class rail travel.”
“We'll all be cheering you on.”
“No pressure then?”
The line went silent, and for a moment Sarah wondered if they had been cut off.
“I enjoyed our... err... meal.” Stewart stuttered.
“Me too.” She could sense he was going to ask her out again. How should she handle this? If she said yes, he might read too much into it. If she said no, he might be offended. If she said she only wanted to be friends... Why did life have to be so complicated?
“I... wondered...”
“Sorry Stewart. There's someone at the door.” She lied. “Thanks for calling. Bye.”
“Okay. Bye.”
Sometimes Sarah didn't like herself very much.
Chapter 5
It was the first time Sarah had ever travelled first class on a train. She took advantage of the free breakfast, but was careful not to spill anything on her top. She was going to be nervous enough facing Andrew Cross in front of camera without having to worry about a brown sauce stain in clear view of the watching millions.
While on the train, Sarah flicked through the text messages wishing her luck. Kathy and Jody had both sent one, but what had surprised Sarah had been the number from people she didn't know. How had they even got her number? Probably from Kathy or Jody. When Sarah saw the message from Stewart, she hesitated for a moment before reading it. She needn't have worried – he too was just wishing her luck.
The schedule was pretty tight. The train arrived in London at ten thirty; the business show went out live at midday. A car was going to collect her from the station. Upon arrival at the studios, the show's producer was going to have a brief meeting with her. There had been precious little time to prepare; Sarah had printed a few notes off the previous night, but for the most part was going to have to wing it.
*******
The 'meeting' with the producer turned out to be no more than a few words snatched on her way to the Green Room. The gist of it had been not to worry about anything. Easier said than done. There had been one other person in the Green room when Sarah arrived – a rather nervous middle-aged woman who was waiting to do a spot on a gardening programme. Alone in the room now, Sarah glanced through the notes she had rushed off the previous night.
“You must be Sarah Jackson.”
She almost jumped out of her seat when the tall, slim, immaculately dressed man came through the door. She knew immediately it was Andrew Cross.
“So very pleased to meet you,” he said.
She shook his hand, his grip was firm. He was standing only inches from her, a broad smile on his face. He was much better looking than the pictures she had seen online.
“Pleased to meet you,” she managed, barely audible.
He was still shaking her hand.
“You look a little nervous.” He finally released his grip, and took a seat beside her.
“A little.” It was an understatement.
“You'll be fine I'm sure. I saw you on the local TV piece – you did a great job.”
He wasn't what she had expected. His voice had a deep, almost hypnotic quality.
“I see you've come prepared.” He gestured at the papers in her hand.
“Just some rushed notes I made yesterday.”
“Sarah Jackson, Mr Cross – we're ready for you now.” A young woman with a clipboard had poked her head into the room.
“There's absolutely nothing to worry about,” Andrew Cross said.
Sarah managed a nervous smile.
*******
Before they went on air, the interviewer explained he would give each of them four minutes to speak. Sarah was to go first. She took several sips of water to try to ease her dry throat – it helped a little.
For a few seconds, she struggled to get her words out, but after a while she relaxed and hit her stride. She had all the information at her fingertips. The number of people who would lose their jobs, the percentage of household affected the productivity levels at the company. By the time her four minutes was up, she felt as though she had made a strong case. She glanced across the desk at Andrew Cross – he smiled and nodded his approval. Maybe this wasn't going to be the ordeal she had expected.
“If Ms Jackson is representing her fellow workers, the very least she should have done is to get her facts right...”
For the next four minutes, Andrew Cross effectively destroyed every argument Sarah had advanced. His tone bordered on condescending, and by the end of his monologue, Sarah felt as though she had been assaulted. She wanted to respond, but knew he had her beat. His preparation had been faultless; he had shown her up for the amateur she was.
Before she knew it, they were back in the Green Room. She was still stunned.
“Lovely to meet you Sarah,” he said. His hand was on her shoulder; he had the same broad smile on his face. “I hope we meet again soon.”
With that, he disappeared out of the room. How was she going to face everyone back home?
*******
Still dazed by the events of the previous half hour, Sarah didn't move for a couple of minutes. Then it hit her; she had let everyone down. She'd allowed Cross to ride roughshod over her.
By the time she caught up with him, he had just climbed into the silver Rolls Royce which was parked on double yellow lines outside the TV station.
"Wait!" Sarah banged on the tinted window.
"Sarah. Did you forget something?"
"No... Yes... "
"We can't talk here, we're blocking the traffic. Jump in; we can chat as we drive."
"I can't. I have a train to catch."
"Don't worry about that. I will have someone drive you to the station."
Just then, the driver in the car behind sounded his horn.
"Please Sarah - jump in."
Sarah had never been in a Rolls Royce before. In fact the only time she had ever been in any kind of limousine was when she was bridesmaid for her cousin Charlotte. Sarah sat opposite Cross, and had barely taken her seat before the car pulled away.
"Put your seat belt on," he said.
Sarah seemed to struggle with the strap.
"Here, allow me." He leaned forward, took the belt from her, and fastened it. His face was only inches from hers.
"Why did you humiliate me back there?" Her anger showed.
"That wasn't my intention." He sat back. "You're awfully attractive when you are angry."
Was that a compliment or simply meant to put her off her stride?
"You made me look a fool."
"Would you like to have dinner with me tonight?"
"What?" His question caught her off guard.
"We could talk about Milners."
Sarah hesitated. Her first reaction had been to tell him to go screw himself, but maybe she might still be able to convince him of the injustice in what he planned to do to Milners."
"I don't have anything to wear."
"You look fine as you are, but if you prefer, we can eat at my apartment."
"Okay, but I must make the last train. They're expecting me to report back in the morning."
"They?"
"The other employees."
"Of course."
Chapter 6
So
mehow 'apartment' didn't do it justice.
"This is beautiful," Sarah said.
"Thank you. I can't take any of the credit. My sister is an interior designer. "
"She did a great job."
"I'll tell her you said so. Will you excuse me a moment while I let Mrs Simpson know there'll be two for dinner?"
"Mrs Simpson?"
"My cook'"
"You have your own cook here?"
"Of course, I can barely boil an egg. You aren't vegetarian or vegan are you?"
"No, I can pretty much eat anything."
"I'll just be a moment." He disappeared into the next room.
How the other half lives, Sarah mused as she looked around. Intrigued by the rippled light effect on the ceiling in the far corner of the room, she decided to investigate.
"Do you swim?" He said.
Sarah hadn't heard him come back into the room. The ripple effect on the ceiling was light reflected off the swimming pool from the floor below.
"You have a pool in your basement."
"Strictly speaking, it isn't a basement. We are on the sixth floor. It's the 'lower level'. There's a gym and sauna too."
"Where's the bowling alley?" Sarah said.
"I don't have... That's sarcasm right?"
"Right."
"You didn't answer my question. Do you swim?"
"Not recently. The pool in my basement is due to a leaking pipe."
"You're very funny Sarah. I normally have a swim before dinner. I find it builds an appetite."
"Don't let me stop you. I don't want to disrupt your routine."
"If you are sure you don't mind. I'll only be a few minutes. I normally only swim twenty lengths before dinner."
