Heart of Ice (2 page)

Chapter 3

“So?” No sooner had Sarah walked into the office than Jody was all over her.

“So what?”

“Don't play silly buggers. What did you think of Stewart?”

“How could you set me up like that? You know I'm not looking...”

“Of course you are. So? How did it go?”

“He's nice.”

“Nice? Is that the best you can do?”

“He's very nice.”

“Did you take him home and shag him?”

Sarah shook her head and walked passed Jody.

“Well did you?” Jody shouted after her.

“No. We went our separate ways after we left yours.”

“You're seeing him again though? Right?”

“I doubt it.”

“You two would be perfect...”

“I told you.” Geoff came crashing through the door. “Look!” He threw the local newspaper onto the desk. The headline told its own tail.

“It will be okay,” Sarah had her arm around Jody who was in tears.

“How can it be okay? Look at the paper. They are going to close us down. How am I meant to get another job? There aren't any. We will lose the house. It isn't fair.”

“We will fight it,” Sarah said.

“How?”

“I don't know, but there must be something we can do.”

“It's hopeless.”

“We aren't beat yet.”

*******

“Aren't you frozen?” Sarah felt cold just looking at Kathy.

“You young'uns are too soft.”

Kathy had made no concession to the first frost of the year. Sarah had thick tights on under her trousers, but was still cold. Kathy was wearing a mini skirt with no tights.

“What time is Jody coming?” Kathy took a drag on her cigarette.

“She said she would get here about nine - after she has dropped the kids off.”

“Do you reckon any of this will do any good?”

“I hope so - for Jody's sake.”

There had been no other volunteers, so Sarah had found herself press-ganged into heading the campaign to fight the closure of Milners. It wasn't a role she felt comfortable in. Over the last few weeks, their demonstrations and petition building had gathered pace. The people of Oakhampton had an affinity with Milners and were, for the most part, more than willing to show their support. Signatures on a petition were all well and good, but would they make a difference? Sarah had her doubts, but she kept them to herself. Jody was clutching to any straw she could find right now.

Today, they had set up in the town centre, hoping to gather as many signatures as possible from the shoppers. Early signs were encouraging; they already had half a dozen signatures mainly from shop workers on their way to work.

“Morning Sarah, morning Kathy.” Stewart was wearing a rather unflattering woollen hat pulled down over his ears.

“Morning Stewart,” Kathy said. “I'll be back in a few minutes. I need the loo.”

Sarah glared at Kathy. She knew what she was up to – leaving her alone with Stewart. Kathy was already on her way across the road.

“What brings you here?” Sarah was stamping her feet in an effort to keep warm.

“I thought you might need some help. I'm here to volunteer my services.”

“That's kind.”

“You're frozen. Here...” He took her hands into his, and blew on them.

Sarah smiled awkwardly.

“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.”

“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.