Making Headlines (14 page)

‘Just in time, Rachel. Two minutes to go.' Patrick's voice came through the speaker monitor on the desk.

‘That's fine, thanks, Patrick. Update's written and I'm ready to go.'

She grabbed a brush and quickly swept her hair into place. No nerves jiggled in her stomach. This was what she wanted and she knew she could do it well. It was the
one thing in her life that was solid and reliable. Even better than that, it gave her a jolt of adrenalin like nothing else.

‘Ten, nine, eight, seven . . .' Patrick's voice gave her the cue.

‘Good Morning, this is Rachel Bentley. Making headlines . . .'

***

Late Friday, Rachel was packing up her desk when she noticed a small pile of mail peeking out from under a newspaper. She must have missed Shirley's delivery. One letter was addressed to her in neat, flowery handwriting. It was from Josie Ross — the first thank you letter she'd ever received for a news story. Criticism was more common than compliments, and people rarely bothered with letters these days. Yet here was someone with less time than anyone whose capacity for grace was infinite.

Josie's letter bubbled with enthusiasm about how the story had prompted more schools to take on her program. The Education Department was now going to make it a permanent part of the curriculum. Rachel pinned the letter to her noticeboard, vowing to push Rob for a follow-up story on Monday. It
was
all about making every second count.

The clock on the wall read five thirty. She'd agreed to babysit for Lou. If she left early, instead of hanging around to watch the news, she'd have time to play with Josh after an early tea, instead of just putting him to bed.

Wondering if Helmut would notice her leaving early, she glanced at his office and saw him standing up from his desk. He strutted out, hitching his belt and scratching his crotch. A Neanderthal signalling that the newsroom was his territory; a kingdom ruled with iron balls. He started heading her way. She dipped her head to appear busy, grabbing a pile of newspaper clippings that needed sorting.

‘Ah, Rachel. Need you in my office. Some things we should chat about.' Even though she knew he was coming, his shotgun voice made her start.

Rachel looked up, feigning surprise. ‘Oh, sure. I'll just put these away and be right over.' She gestured at the clippings.

‘Good. We can crack open a bottle of wine too. Get Friday drinks on the go early, hey?' He winked at her conspiratorially, chins jiggling, before hitching his pants again and heading off.

Breath caught in her throat — it was like being summoned by the school principal. She grabbed the clippings she'd been pretending to organise and shoved them in a drawer, wondering why he'd singled her out. At least he seemed cheerful.

‘Come in, Rachel. Take a load off.' Helmut pointed to a chair opposite and swung his feet on top of the desk. Pictures lined the walls — mostly photos of Helmut posing with famous sports stars and politicians. A cricket bat lay ominously on top of a row of books that was kept upright by two Logie statues acting as bookends.

Helmut leaned back in his chair, placing both hands behind his head, grinning as if the world was his oyster. He exuded an air of casualness but his eyes remained sharp. The sun setting behind him turned his coppery hair a metallic red, sharply contrasting with his pale skin. She marvelled at how someone so positively unattractive could reach such levels of success in a career that focused on the visual. It would be unlikely a woman of similar appearance could have managed to achieve the same.

Shirley walked in carrying a bottle of wine and two glasses.

‘Thanks, sweetheart. You're a good woman. Just what the doctor ordered,' he said.

Shirley glanced at Rachel, smiling politely and raising her eyebrows a fraction. As she turned to go, Helmut stopped her.

‘Oh, Shirl, just had a look at your file. You're coming up to twenty years here. Might want to think about long-service leave, hey? Take a nice long cruise with your hubby, perhaps?'

Shirley took a small step backwards. ‘Well, I guess that's something to consider.' She smoothed her hair back from her face. ‘Barry's still working though, so it could be tricky.'

Helmut poured Rachel a glass of wine. ‘You might even consider an early retirement then. Have some quality time looking after that hard-working hubby of yours.'

‘Goodness, that's not something I want to do. I actually like my job.' Shirley's face flushed pink, eyes blinking.

‘Your choice, of course. Just making a suggestion.' Helmut slurped his wine and turned back to Rachel.

Shirley nodded curtly and left. Rachel fought an urge to follow and give her a hug.

‘Humph, just thought she was looking a bit tired and could do with a holiday,' said Helmut. ‘I could always get one of those pretty young temps in to cover. Ah well, let's talk about you, Rachel. You've been doing a great job with the updates.'

‘Thanks.' She sipped her wine carefully.

‘A very good job. Damn fine-looking woman you are, Rachel. Impressing everyone with your newsreading as well. You must be pretty happy with how your career is moving along?'

‘I guess I am.' Rachel shrugged.

‘Well, I just thought I'd let you know I think you
are
doing a fine job and I think you've got a very bright future ahead of you, young lady.'

‘Thank you.' She wondered if that was the real reason she'd been called in to his office.

‘Ah, yes, I remember when I was starting out too. A brilliant time in one's life, isn't it? Exciting, really. Although now I'm at the peak of my career, it's still pretty good, huh?' He chortled loudly.

‘It would seem so,' she said. ‘I hope you understand that I really do want to pursue newsreading in terms of my career. I hope you'll consider me for any future positions, such as the weekend job, down the track.'

‘Absolutely, I will. I think you and me are going to get along just fine, Rachel. I like getting to know the ones who are heading in the right places, and I can help you along the way too.' He put his glass down and leaned forward, peering at her intently. ‘Let's just keep in touch over a drink or two every week, so I can stay on top of where you're at, and you can let me know if anything's bothering you. Okay? Cheers.' He raised his wine glass to her and drank.

‘Cheers.' Rachel tilted her wine towards him. Hard to believe, but maybe Helmut's arrival was actually going to be good for her career. Apart from the way he spoke to Shirley, he really wasn't that bad. Perhaps all those rumours were just rumours after all.

After finishing her wine and Helmut downing a couple of beers, he suggested they join the news team to watch the bulletin go to air. They made their way to the COS area just in time for the news to begin. Drinks were underway and a few reporters eyed her sceptically.

Rob sidled up to her. ‘Doing all right there, Rachel. That's how you play the game. A few drinks with the boss on a regular basis and who knows where your career could head?' He knocked his stubby against her glass. ‘Keep up the good work,' he said before heading to chat with Helmut.

Rachel cringed. Julia grabbed her arm and turned so they could talk out of earshot. ‘So what was that all about? What did he want?'

‘Oh, nothing, really. Just touching base about how my newsreading was going. Believe it or not, he was quite pleasant.'

‘Oh, come on, Rach, don't fall for that. He's evil. Everyone says so. Even Derek knows the stories. Don't tell him too much about your life, he'll use it against you. I've heard it's his pattern — get people close then pull them apart and kick 'em in the head.'

‘Oh, Jules, you're being melodramatic. He's really not that bad.'

Julia shook her head. ‘No, honey, you're being naive.'

‘Look, don't take this the wrong way, but I've got to head off. Promised Lou I'd babysit tonight.'

Mitch came up. ‘So I guess you must be busy this weekend. You never got back to me about that drinks date.'

‘I hadn't forgotten. I just couldn't find a time to chat when you weren't editing a story, that's all,' said Rachel. It was true. Although an inner voice telling her to focus on her career was also holding her back.

‘And I thought it must have just slipped your mind. Shame really. I was going to offer you a ride down to Angelsea with me in the Kombi. Escape the big smoke and get a breath of fresh air. Even bought a can of baked beans.' His mouth twitched.

‘Now that's tempting.' She smirked then softened when she looked into his eyes. ‘If you'd offered earlier, I might have said yes.'

‘Not to worry, I knew you were busy. Taking Georgie instead. You know, the new girl on the editing team.'

‘Oh. Right. Of course. Have fun then.' He was teasing her, as always. She was annoyed to feel a twinge of jealousy at his taking another girl.

‘Will do. You too.' Mitch winked at her without smiling and walked off.

‘Don't worry, you've still got Josh,' said Julia playfully.

‘Yeah, thanks. Now that's a special date.'

And it was. It's just that Josh didn't have those blue eyes that took her to a holiday by the sea every time they gazed at her. She was annoyed to feel so disappointed that a date that had never been organised wasn't going ahead.

‘My darling, darling girls! How I've missed you both!' Margaret whooshed down the hallway, shrieking. Throwing her arms around Lou and Rachel, she pulled them to her, squeezing tightly.

Rachel hugged her mother back, unexpectedly overwhelmed. So much had happened since she'd been away, so many times she had ached for that warmth and reassurance. ‘Good to have you back,' she said softly.

But something had changed. Rachel pulled away, checking. Her mother looked shiny and refreshed, but her scent bore traces of foreign places instead of eucalyptus detergent. It was disconcerting.

‘Missed you too, Mum.' Lou kissed her mother on both cheeks.

Margaret stood back to look at them. Behind her, Brian came down the hall, lugging two large suitcases that bumped into the walls.

‘Hi there, girls,' he called. ‘That was one helluva trip, but by golly, it's good to be home.' He grabbed Margaret around the waist, hugging her to him. Rachel hoped he wasn't referring to their house as his home already.

‘Your mother makes a fine travelling companion, let me tell you.' He smiled like Austin Powers with a supermodel.

‘Yes, we make a good team.' Margaret patted his cheek. ‘A good team indeed.' They gazed fondly at each other.

‘Well, come and have a seat. You must be exhausted,' said Lou. ‘We've put on a roast for dinner. When Neil and Josh get back from the park, we'll dish up.'

‘Oh, a roast! How lovely,' Margaret enthused. ‘We ate like kings on the trip, but nothing beats a good old Aussie roast.'

‘I thought that's what you'd like,' said Lou. ‘Don't know how the Yorkshire pudding will be, though. Rachel hasn't made one before. Better check it.' She headed to the kitchen while the others took a seat in the lounge room.

‘Yes, it's sure to be a disaster,' called Rachel. ‘Give it a rest, Lou. Mum hasn't even been home for an hour.'

Margaret shook her head. ‘I was hoping living together would improve things between you two.'

‘Oh, it has,' sang Lou. ‘For starters, we're great at sharing clothes now. Rachel's
got a fabulous wardrobe through Network Six so I can actually borrow something decent these days.'

‘Yeah, and Lou's given me some really good advice about dating. Really helpful stuff.' Rachel kept a straight face and waited to hear Lou's response. Silence.

‘Well, that's lovely, girls. I'm so glad everything's worked out while we've been away.' Margaret beamed then turned to Brian and squeezed his hand.

The front door burst open. Neil and Josh were back from the park. More hugs and enthusiastic greetings before everyone sat at the table for an early dinner. Rachel helped Lou in the kitchen. They managed to dish up with only a few under-the-breath insults.

Not long into the meal, Brian looked up from his plate, chewing loudly as he spoke. ‘Well, I have to say this is the best Yorkshire pudding I've ever tasted. You've done yourself proud, Rachel.'

‘Thank you,' she said, staring as he continued talking with his mouth full. Slurping and munching, strands of saliva and bits of food sticking between his teeth. How had her mother coped with that in her face at every meal for six months? Rachel wanted to like him, but even his laugh was grating. A honking snort. He probably snored too. She looked away, putting down her knife and fork. ‘Actually, I'm hoping to learn even more about cooking when I move in with Kate. We've started looking for a house together.'

‘Oh, really?' Her mother looked at her in surprise. ‘But what about Tim?

Rachel shrugged her shoulders.

Lou piped up. ‘That's well and truly history. There've been plenty of others since then. Wow, where do I start?'

‘Perhaps it's best you don't?' Rachel looked pointedly at Josh.

‘Oh, no, it's fine. Just thought I'd mention a few. Let's see . . . after Tim there was Damien the TV host, and there's a lot of talk about Mitch, an editor she works with.'

‘Oh, please, you know Mitch is just a friend. And what's wrong with a few dates?' Rachel tried to keep her voice light. She wished there
had
been dates with Mitch.

‘A few? That's an understatement.'

‘You're starting to sound jealous.' Rachel stabbed the crispy top of her Yorkshire pudding. It was rock hard. At least Brian was kind about her cooking.

‘Fine, I'll drop it.' Lou pursed her lips.

‘Good. I mean, not that I really care right now. Work's more important anyway.
If I'm single and on the shelf at forty, so be it.'

‘Oh, Rachel,' Margaret said. ‘I don't want to sound patronising dear, but really, you're only twenty-three
and
smart and beautiful. If I can manage to meet someone at fifty-something . . .' Margaret reached to press Brian's hand. ‘Then I think there's still hope for you.' She smiled at Rachel and leaned over to kiss Brian on the cheek.

Rachel watched them together and realised her mother could be right. There was definitely hope. Of some kind.

***

Early morning sunshine filtered through a gap in the study curtains at the front of the house, making Rachel blink as she walked in, a beam of light with thousands of dust particles dancing in its midst. She moved into the light and pulled back the curtain just in time to see Kate's car pull up outside. Right on time — six thirty — to take her to the gym. She'd told Kate not to come to the front door so as not to wake anyone.

In the car she kissed Kate on the cheek. ‘So now we are officially gym buddies. It's damn early though, isn't it?

‘Only way to get it done before work, hon,' said Kate. ‘But getting me out of bed this early is a bloody miracle. You owe me big time.'

‘That's why I've made you the main beneficiary of my will, just in case I have a heart attack on the treadmill.'

‘Well, that wouldn't be worth much. I'd rather you survive and do the dishes for a month, thanks.' Kate turned on the radio. Lady Gaga was singing ‘Paparazzi'.

‘I'd be more than happy to do dishes if one of us could hurry up and just find a goddamn house.'

‘Well, I think I might have . . .'

‘Holy shit! Are you serious?' said Rachel.

‘I didn't want to say anything till I was sure, but I can't wait.' Kate paused for effect. ‘I
have
found us the perfect house and it looks like we can move in, in just two weeks.'

‘Oh my God! Are you serious?'

‘Can you stop repeating yourself? You're supposed to have a way with words, journo girl.'

‘Sorry. Too excited. Keep going.'

‘Well, I
am
serious. It's in Prahran, just off Chapel Street. Beautiful, single-terrace Victorian with French doors leading to a courtyard out the back. And the best
kitchen — open plan onto the sunroom with a huge white marble bench. It belongs to a client of mine. They were looking for new tenants and she was thrilled when I said I was interested. Of course, you need to check it out too, but I know you'll love it.'

‘Let's ditch the gym and go see it now! This is so exciting!' Rachel reached to grab Kate's face with both hands and smack a wet kiss on her cheek.

‘Watch it! I'm driving, for God's sake.'

‘Don't care, too excited.'

‘Well, I'm not dropping the gym after going to all this trouble. Besides, we couldn't look inside. You'll just have to be patient.'

Rachel put on her sunglasses and stared straight ahead. ‘That's fine. You can make a call after our workout.' She smiled into the morning light streaming through the windscreen. Her love life might be lacking direction but at least she had a new home.

***

A week later, and Rachel was running late to makeup. ‘Well hurry up and sit on down,' said Rex. ‘I bags the face. Lola, you can do hair.'

‘Bossy boots. I get the face tomorrow.' Lola pouted and crossed her arms.

‘Nice to be so popular.' Rachel sat down in the chair, exchanging smiles with Evie who was busy making up an actress.

‘How long till you move in to your new place?' asked Evie.

‘Only a week. I can't wait! It's fantastic. Only fly in the ointment is these.' Rachel reached into her pocket and pulled out a letter. It had arrived this morning from her ‘Devoted Admirer, X. ‘More letters from that stalker guy. ‘I'd love your advice. Read this and tell me what to do.'

Evie took the letter. ‘“My dearest Rachel,”' she read, ‘“my anger grows daily as you continue to ignore me. Why do you torment me? You know we are meant to be together. My feelings are torn now between despising you, and needing to ravish you completely until we are both sated. Perhaps our first encounter may have to be by force. Only then will you feel the intense depth of my passion as I . . .”' Evie stopped reading aloud but continued scanning the page. ‘Okay, I get the picture. It gets worse. Rach, surely the police can do something? He did leave a post office box number that he wants you to write to, for Christ's sake!'

‘I know, I know. They've already checked it out and say the address belongs to a senile old man who has a daily carer at his house and can't even write anymore.'

‘Well, it must be some crazy who works for him,' said Rex.

‘Maybe. They're going to keep an eye on it but say they can't do anything unless there's a more serious physical threat. It's beginning to unnerve me a bit. You start to wonder about everyone you meet — whether it might be him.'

‘It's pretty creepy,' said Lola. ‘Maybe you should speak to Helmut?'

‘Yeah, maybe. Don't know what he could do though.'

‘Ah, the price of fame.' For once, Rex looked sombre as he dabbed at her face.