Woman of the Hour (34 page)

StoryWorld TV station, London Bridge

Ledley has done so well fronting the show these last three days and at the morning meeting Julius commented on this.

‘I take it you are tracking the viewers’ response to Ledley?’

‘Yes I am, and we’re getting excellent feedback.’

‘I’d like to see it.’

‘I’ll get it over to you. It’s good to know we can use him as a back-up presenter,’ I said.

‘And Fizzy is definitely back on Monday?’

‘She is,’ I said.

I looked over at Bob who was watching me. All week he has had a face on him, like he’s suffering from a bad attack of neuralgia. He must be terrified about the great secret getting out one day and causing an earthquake in his family. Once Fizzy’s baby is born there will be huge speculation about who the father is.

I was on tenterhooks waiting for Julius to mention my dedicated features crew. The paperwork was all completed and today he planned to announce it. I was feeling both excited and apprehensive because I would have to tell my team about the changes straight after the meeting. But first we had to sit through a report from Tim Cooper on how the budget cuts were being implemented. He can be long-winded and he went on at length about the two journalists who are fighting their redundancy and have taken StoryWorld to an employment tribunal for constructive dismissal. This would incur legal costs, he said.

‘Annoying but necessary. Make sure we win,’ Julius said.

Tim was done with his report and I gave Julius a meaningful look.

‘One more thing before we go. I have decided we need more feature stories in the show to get the balance right. From next week Liz will be getting a dedicated crew one day a week to deliver more feature content,’ he said.

Bob’s face was a picture of incomprehension followed by fury. Julius stood up and he and Tim left the room together. I gathered my papers and was hurrying out of the room but Bob came up and stood right in front of me so I couldn’t escape. He nodded his head in the direction of Julius’s retreating figure.

‘I
knew
there was something between you two,’ he said bitterly.

I felt like slapping his face. He’s the kind of man who thinks there is only one way a woman can make a man do something for her.

‘We’re not all cheaters like you,’ I said.

Bob went white and I saw he was clenching his fists. I walked away from him with my head held high. We are enemies now and I can see no way back.

It was time to tell the team about the new structure and I planned to tell each team member individually. First up, I got Simon into my office.

‘I’ve got some good news,’ I said.

He was so happy about his promotion but of course telling Simon was the easy bit. I asked him to stay shtum until all the team had been told. Next it was Molly – she knew something was up because I was calling in each team member one by one.

‘Is everything OK?’ she asked before I had a chance to say anything.

‘Yes it is. Do sit down, Moll. Against the odds I have managed to get more resources for the features team.’

She raised her eyebrows in surprise and I plunged on.

‘I’ve got enough to pay Simon to be my deputy and I’ve also secured us a weekly features crew so that you can film more feature stories for the show.’

There was a long pause as Molly took this in.

‘Simon is going to be your deputy?’ she said at last.

‘He is, with immediate effect. I need a deputy badly. And I want to change your role too. I’d like you to lead on the pre-recorded stories. It’s your strength and I hope you can see that this is a vote of confidence in your film-making abilities.’

What I have always liked about Molly is her honesty and her directness.

‘But it’s not a promotion?’

‘I’m afraid not. I couldn’t get anything more this time.’

‘I’m pleased about the crew, of course, but I’m disappointed that you have chosen Simon as your deputy,’ she said.

She had been honest with me and she deserved me to be honest back to her.

‘You are both very talented and hard-working researchers and critical to the success of the team. Simon has certain organisational skills which gave him the edge,’ I said.

After Molly had gone I decided to get Harriet and Ziggy in together as the news would not have a specific impact on either of their roles. I told them the news and it was an easy sell because they both get on well with Simon. I realised that I hadn’t been thinking about them much over the last few days. Fizzy’s drama had pushed everything else out of my mind.

‘How are things with you both?’

Harriet answered first. ‘I’m getting lots of fashion houses on board. I sent them Guy’s promo and they’re already offering stills and footage for him to use.’

We have been running promos all week for our new fashion slot with Guy Browne which launches on Monday.

‘Good work. And how about you, Ziggy?’

Ziggy looked better and has lost that hunted look that she had for ages.

‘I like my evening course. We did some digital editing last week. And I’m pleased for Simon,’ she said.

*

Around four Gerry called me, as he so often does these days.

‘I’ve got a cracking topic for next week,’ he said.

‘Tell me.’

‘I want to discuss how different star signs reveal their ambitious side and how they try to climb the greasy pole.’

‘That sounds intriguing...’

‘You know what gave me the idea? It’s this in-fighting in the government at the moment. They’re jostling for the succession, aren’t they? It’s quite unseemly and I thought I could touch on that, you know, mention the home secretary and the chancellor’s star signs and the different ways they’re staking their claim to the top job.’

Gerry scans the newspapers and he gets a lot of his ideas from news stories. I like it when his forecasts have a topical or controversial edge to them and we never get any comeback because he’s talking about astrology.

‘That’s clever; go for it,’ I said.

‘I saw the promo for your new fashion man yesterday.’

‘Guy Browne, I think he’s going to be good. I’ll have to introduce you.’

‘Please do. But, darling, I need to warn you. I saw Amber last night and she’s deeply offended that you’re using him to front the fashion slot at StoryWorld.’

‘Oh, for heaven’s sake!’

‘I know; professional jealousy. But be careful because it looks like she and Julius are an item again.’

Chalk Farm flat, Saturday morning

I called Fizzy’s room at the clinic and was told she had gone home so I rang her mobile but that went to answerphone.

‘Hi, it’s Liz. Hope you’re taking it easy. I can come over on Sunday if you like and go through Monday’s line-up. Call me.’

She lives in Pimlico in a mews house which is built above two garages. I’ve been there several times over the years when she throws drinks parties and it’s a pretty house, the kind of home you would expect a TV star to live in. It’s not child-friendly, though, as you enter by a steep staircase to the living quarters above the garages. I wonder if she’ll move when the baby comes.

Ben is flying to Dubai today to start his new life and Flo and I said we would see him off. We took the Tube to Heathrow airport. It’s a long ride from Chalk Farm, especially when you are not looking forward to the experience when you get there. Flo was subdued. She plugged in her earphones and examined the ends of her hair as we rattled along. I was thinking about Fizzy. That story she told me about her mother’s pink wedding dress had made me feel for her. It sounds like she comes from a family obsessed with appearances and I wonder how supportive they are being to her.

I hate airports. I hate the lighting and the recycled air and the miles of corridors. I hate the shops and the overpriced catering that is on offer. But I guess it’s mainly that I hate goodbyes. Sometimes just watching strangers saying goodbye to each other at a station or at an airport can bring a great big lump to my throat, which is absurd as I don’t know these people. I think it’s because I never had a chance to say goodbye to my darling dad.

It is always so difficult to find things to say when you are waiting for someone to leave. But I did my best and Ben did his best and we managed to keep the conversation going and not once did we mention that this Christmas he would not be seeing Flo. They called his flight and he hugged Flo for a long time. As he walked through the barrier and away from us I was willing him to look back, just the once, but he strode forwards until he was out of sight. Flo’s shoulders were heaving and then the floodgates opened and she cried without restraint. I realised that she had been holding her tears in, trying to be brave for him. We were both in a bad way and I suggested we go to the cinema and watch one of the Christmas blockbusters.

Chalk Farm flat, Sunday evening

I had left a second message for Fizzy at lunchtime offering to come to her house and work through the briefing notes for Monday’s show. I know she is determined to return to work tomorrow. I said she would be interviewing our new fashion expert Guy Browne and that I had his screen test on my laptop if she wanted to see it. Still no word from her and I’m starting to worry. I know she doesn’t have many female friends. Her personal life has always revolved around the men in her life and she won’t be getting any support from that quarter now. I suppose it’s possible she went away for the weekend to convalesce but I had left messages on her mobile as well as her landline. It was odd.

StoryWorld TV station, London Bridge

I did not get in early enough to talk to Fizzy before we went to air. It was her first day back on the sofa and I had biked the briefing notes of Monday’s show to her house. I watched from the gallery as Guy Browne did his first fashion slot for us. He was as lively as I had hoped he would be and he’s getting a good response from the viewers. He and Fizzy hit it off at once and I was sure she’d be pleased and say something positive at the morning meeting.

I grabbed a coffee and was the last to reach the meeting room. Julius opened proceedings by making a big fuss of Fizzy.

‘Ledley did OK last week but you are the one the viewers want to see, Fizzy. Welcome back and thank you for a great show today.’

She smiled warmly at Julius.

‘Yes, it’s great to have you back,’ I said.

She glared at me then dropped her eyes and said not a word. Later, when we came to discuss Guy’s slot, Fizzy addressed her remarks directly to Julius.

‘I’m glad we’re doing a fashion slot at last. I always said we should do one. And Guy is good.’

‘I liked the chemistry between the two of you,’ Julius said.

I jumped in here. He was my signing, after all.

‘So did I. You looked comfortable with each other and I agree with you, Fizzy, Guy will bring something new to the show.’

She did not look in my direction or acknowledge my comment. Julius and Bob saw what was going on and I knew with a sick feeling that trouble was coming my way.

I held my team meeting and we went through the work schedules for the week ahead. Towards the end Molly and Simon got into a spat about whether or not Twitter was a force for good.

‘I like that it’s democratic. Everyone can get their opinions out there and we’re no longer dependent on the mainstream media,’ Simon said.

‘It’s just an echo chamber. People find their tribe on Twitter and stick to their group and reinforce their existing beliefs. It doesn’t change anything,’ Molly said.

‘I don’t agree. I’ve seen campaigns take off on Twitter, some important social justice campaigns,’ he said.

‘No, it’s all about vanity and getting lots of followers and retweets. And I’ve noticed that men always have to have the last word in any exchange you have on Twitter,’ Molly said.

I knew better than to take sides. They weren’t getting on as well as they usually do and I feared it was because I had made Simon my deputy.

I couldn’t stop thinking about how Fizzy had been in the meeting and I recalled that she hadn’t returned my calls over the weekend. Something was going on so I went down to her dressing room. It was locked and when I tapped on the door Ellen opened it and she looked embarrassed when she saw me.

‘I need a word with Fizzy,’ I said.

Ellen gave an apologetic shrug.

‘She’s not up to seeing you. I’m sorry.’

‘But we need to talk.’

‘She’s adamant, Liz. Best leave it.’

Fizzy ignored me for the rest of the day, simply wouldn’t talk to me and I’m hurt by this change in her. I thought we were growing closer over the last few weeks. I know she is very emotional at the moment and Bob is probably still giving her a hard time about the baby, but why have I become public enemy number one?

It was mid-afternoon when Martine called me and said that Julius needed to speak to me. She looked grim as I approached her and when I went into his office he insisted that I sit down in front of his desk. I did so with a feeling of rising trepidation.

‘We have a problem,’ he said.

‘What kind of a problem?’

‘You have completely alienated Fizzy.’

I felt simultaneously sick and dizzy and I stared at him, lost for words.

‘I went to see her on Sunday and she feels strongly that you are working against her,’ he said.

‘That’s crazy. I have no idea why she’s saying that.’

‘The important point is that she believes it, absolutely, and you need to sort it out.’

The last time Fizzy and I had talked we had been in her room at the clinic and she had opened up about her mother’s miscarriage. It didn’t make any sense.

‘Did she say anything specific?’

‘She says she can’t trust you.’

I shook my head in disbelief.

‘She’s very emotional at the moment. Of course she can trust me,’ I said.

‘She asked me to get rid of you.’

That shocked me. That winded me.

‘You know what I think? I think there’s too much fucking hysteria in the station these days and you’ve got to sort it. We can’t have Fizzy feeling upset like this. She’s our main asset,’ he said.