Blaze (71 page)

Barbara gave the star feature writer a strange look. ‘You're sounding like her mentor rather than her competitor.'

‘I'm tired, Barb. I'm forty. That's over the hill in magazines these days. I'm fed up with Ali. But I can't afford to quit. I suppose I'll find a job with a PR firm writing press releases. Thank God I've always made it a policy to be nice to everyone. You never know who's doing the hiring.'

Barbara touched her immaculate hair with a perfectly manicured hand. ‘I'm already half out the door. I wish I had Tiki's guts to tackle something new. She's not that much younger than me. I pass my time doing stuff I did when I first started out as a cadet.'

‘The beauty biz here ain't what it used to be, that's for sure. So you had the high-roller times – perfume launches in Monte Carlo, trips to Grasse and dinner with Karl Lagerfeld. They were the days, eh?'

Barbara smiled, remembering when she was one of the top beauty editors that advertisers fawned over and her cupboards overflowed with free products. ‘Yes, you're right.' Then, aware of where she was now, and recalling Ali's uncharitable shoving of her to the background and her plan to resign, Barbara seemed to deflate. The present was a pale life indeed.

‘And how do you see your future panning out here Kaye?'

‘Let's say I'm looking at options, and over my shoulder.' She gave a laugh. ‘For once I'm glad I'm not the editor. It's a job for the young lionesses these days.'

Ali and Nina had reached a stalemate. Neither was prepared to concede any ground.

Ali again listed the advances the magazine had made under her leadership. ‘That's the bottom line and that's what counts, Nina.'

‘How gains are achieved is just as important. If we abuse our advertisers, they won't come back. Trust in
Blaze
is paramount. We trade on our name and reputation. I won't have that jeopardised,' said Nina angrily.

‘I have no knowledge of, or have ever condoned, anything that wasn't totally above board,' rejoined Ali.

‘But it is your responsibility to know exactly what is going on in the organisation and if anyone is taking advantage of their position, to put a stop to it.

‘This feud between you and our advertising manager hurts the magazine. No matter what personality clashes you might have, it's essential you work as a team.'

‘I'm well aware of that. I don't need lessons in personnel and corporate relations,' snapped Ali. ‘Why don't you attack the boys upstairs, the finance guy that Manny put in is a closed shop. He and the management men protect Reg. They operate on the divide-and-conquer principle, like the way they kept digging at Eddie about his expenses. We lost a terrific talent. And someone in here is leaking stuff to rivals, undermining me and the magazine. Tony Cox has lost the plot and he and Jacques are running riot through
Blaze
– and this town, from what I hear. If it hadn't been for Eddie tipping me off, the situation could be a lot worse. If I don't know about problems, I can't fix them.'

‘Ali, this is not a war,' said Nina quietly. ‘While I appreciate you have
Blaze
's best interests at heart, you can't achieve the right solutions with animosity.'

Ali leapt in well prepared, knowing the ground was shaking under her feet. ‘Nina, let's talk about solutions. I have drawn up the business strategy for the next six months – promotion possibilities, potential advertisers to tackle, better package deals for existing big advertisers. I also have ideas for a series of articles that could be sensational. April is turning into one hot writer. I think she should be the major features writer and Kaye should be moved into something more administrative.' Ali tried to soften her voice, ‘She just doesn't fire on all cylinders when it comes to going in hard, fast and deep. Like a shark,' said Ali helpfully. ‘Kaye is more from the softly, softly school.'

She paused, feeling quite pleased with her enthusiastic ideas, backed up with a slick, point by point presentation.

Nina folded her hands and leaned forward, not reacting at all to what Ali had said. Her voice was low and gentle, her eyes sympathetic as if telling a child there was no Santa Claus. ‘Before plunging too far ahead, I have to deal with the immediate, and that means finding solutions to our internal personnel problems.'

‘You have a solution to these internal problems? Other than moving Reg?' asked Ali somewhat superciliously.

‘I do. I've thought long and hard since I have been presented with the rather unpleasant facts of the manoeuvrings within the company. And moving Reg on isn't part of the solution.'

Ali frowned. ‘If I'm stuck with having to deal with a recalcitrant advertising manager, it could be difficult.'

‘You won't be in that situation,' said Nina smoothly. ‘I won't move Reg. It's better that I move you.'

Ali jerked as if smacked. She blinked, trying to clear her vision that had momentarily lost focus. ‘To where? Why?' Her voice was raised, shocked. She attacked instantly. ‘Why should I be the one to be forced to wear the mantle of blame? I figured the buck stops with the editor-in-chief. That's you, Nina. I have been incredibly vigilant. I came down hard whenever I found a problem. Moving me isn't going to fix the situation.'

Nina was soothing. ‘It's an upward move, Ali. A promotion. You've had almost six months here, more than enough time to have launched and established
Blaze Australia
and move on to the next challenge.'

Ali couldn't believe this nightmare was happening. What was killing her was that suddenly she was in the same position as Lorraine had been in. There was no promotion above editor, except editor-in-chief and Nina wouldn't be giving that up. It was a gentle sideways push. Well, she was damned if she was going to give them the satisfaction of jumping off a terrace, or jumping ship. Ali's body language signalled fight not flight. ‘And what is my next challenge?' she asked, knowing she had no call and wouldn't like whatever Nina said – unless it was editor of
Blaze USA
.

Nina knew what Ali was thinking. ‘I can't offer you New York. Irene da Costa is doing a fine job and so is her deputy. I am proposing that you become publishing director of
Blaze
in Australasia. That includes Australia and New Zealand, where we may open a local edition in time. We'll talk later about where you'll be based. I'd like to hear your suggestions.'

Ali didn't answer until she was able to spit out the words, ‘Publishing director?'

Nina nodded and Ali shook her shoulders, a movement like a wet dog shaking itself. Nina had a sudden bizarre image of the letters that spelled out
Publishing Director
being fragmented and sprayed around the room like splashes of water from a dog's coat.

‘Nina, publishing director is the same as saying special projects manager . . . it means nothing. It wouldn't matter where I was based, you're consigning me to nowheresville.' Ali didn't add it was a slap in the face and would be considered a demotion among those who knew the print media. ‘And who do you have in mind to replace me?' Her voice was hard.

‘I have given this a lot of consideration, Ali. I think it best for the magazine and in view of the staff problems and the abuses, which I realise you did not condone. It is not a reflection on your abilities. Having Jacques override you on occasion was . . . unhelpful. I intend to stay on and run the shop with you until I appoint a new editor.' Seeing Ali's furious face, she softened. ‘Ali, I will make sure this is seen as an important career appointment – which it is. You've been with the company a long time, you're very valuable to Triton Communications, how you are treated will send a significant message to those inside as well as outside the company.'

Ali rose. ‘I see there's not much point in discussing this further. I would like to take a short break before basing myself in an apartment back in New York.' She gave a cynical half-smile. ‘As I'll be travelling a great deal, I assume it's immaterial where I call home.'

‘You can stay on here in the company apartment as long as you wish,' said Nina, underscoring the point that
Blaze
would not be paying for a place for Ali in New York.

‘I'll make my own arrangements. And, please, no jolly goodbye drinks.'

‘Ali, I hope you will rethink that. I believe a prestigious function to congratulate you on your promotion and for the brilliant job you've done in establishing
Blaze
here in the marketplace would be more appropriate than you quietly leaving town as if there were a problem. Which there isn't.' Nina smiled. ‘I thought you were enjoying being back in your homeland again?'

Ali picked up her things. ‘Nina, this place has never been home. I just happened to be born here. I might say the same to you. Why not go and settle back in Yugoslavia?'

Nina acknowledged the touché. ‘Quite. However, I am intending to go back to Croatia quite frequently. I am very keen on upgrading the existing children's home and I plan to establish more such homes. There are so many homeless children after the Balkan conflicts.'

Ali wasn't interested. ‘Let me know when I'm leaving. I would like to go as soon as possible.' She left the office without another word.

Nina felt her body slump and release the tension she'd been holding inside herself. Still, she was surprised that Ali had taken it reasonably well. She knew Ali would be fighting hard to save her career. Her people skills were lamentable, but she was clever and bright. A bit too ambitious and ruthless. A short cooling-off period where she had no real power would be good for her.

That night, Nina poured it all out to Lucien on the phone. Not knowing Ali, he only half listened, making sympathetic noises. But he had one nagging fear.

‘Nina, darling, I am concerned about you staying on to run the magazine in Sydney. For how long? This isn't what we planned at all. I thought you were easing out, not taking on more.'

‘Lucien, I want to ease off and be with you more than anything in the world. But it's not something I can just drop. I'm in partnership with Triton. I have an obligation to myself as well. It won't be for long, I hope.'

‘Do you have anyone in mind? There can't be too many top people floating around that can be an editor in Sydney at a moment's notice.'

‘When it's
Blaze
calling you'd be surprised how many people would walk out of high positions. Please, be patient, my darling.'

Lucien felt helpless. He had no control over what Nina did and no right to tell her to walk away from what had been her life. But he couldn't shake the awful knowledge that when it came to a choice between him and
Blaze
, the magazine would always win. ‘Nina, after so many years apart I truly believe we've found each other for a reason. I'll plough on with my film idea. Perhaps I'll come and write the script in Sydney.'

‘It's only for a little time, my darling. If everything works out the way I hope, we'll have the rest of our lives together.'

‘I love you, Nina.'

‘And I you. As I always have.' She hung up and found the tension in her body had gone. Sleep came easily and quickly.

 

T
he picturesque Mulbring Valley, with its new homes and holiday retreats for Sydneysiders, gave way to the edge of Cessnock where a few of the original mining cottages had yet to be renovated. Following directions, Miche parked in the
Advertiser
's parking lot. As she stepped out, she saw the modern, large city centre and plaza. She walked through an alley to Vincent Street, where the older style shops and offices sat next to newer neighbours selling discount electrical goods and music.

She turned into the small, single-storey building plastered with signs for the
Advertiser.
Jane Parsons met her with an exuberant smile.

‘You're Jeremy's friend. How can I help you?'

‘I'm researching a story on the Hunter area. A pretty broad canvas, but essentially linked to the wine industry.'

‘That's a lot to write about. Come and have a coffee and tell me more. Is this going to be for
Blaze
?'

Miche followed Jane to her office. It was a typical small-town newspaper with a staff of ten. Some permanent, some part time. ‘How long have you worked here?'

Jane laughed. ‘Fifteen years! I started as a youngster with dreams of going to the big city. I did my time and travelled and here I am, back in my home town, married with two little kids. That's the nice part of journalism. It's portable and you don't lose the skills. I work flexible hours, now the kids are in primary school. And I'm still planning to write a murder mystery. I'll get around to it one day.'

Miche looked at Jane, who she guessed was in her thirties. She looked and sounded so different from the writers and editors on big-city magazines. Yet Miche envied her, she was so obviously content with her life, enthusiastic and friendly.

Jane began making them instant coffee.

‘Milk and one, thanks,' said Miche before she was asked. ‘I've read a few terrific books about characters in the Aussie bush, but most of them were written ages ago. Is the countryside still producing and harbouring such offbeat guys?'

‘Sure, they're around in odd places, and they still make stories for us from time to time. But the new breed of bush characters are a bit of a surprise. Many of them are high-tech, well-educated drop-outs from the city, chasing a lifestyle rather than material wealth. And the boom in a few of our rural industries has brought a lot of new management and marketing skills. So, in a way, it's more interesting for a journo than ever before. And then there's tourism. Big time now,' said Jane as she handed over the coffee and a plate of biscuits. ‘Anzac biscuits from the CWA stall at the weekend.'