Making Headlines (19 page)

Helmut stood with his back to her outside his office, talking on Shirley's phone. He whirled around. Silence.

Then his pale features broke into a sunny smile. ‘Well done, young lady! That
was a really good first go.'

She felt her insides relax slightly. Just a little. ‘Thank you,' she said calmly and kept walking. She hoped he didn't have a cricket bat on the desk.

She looked around for Julia but couldn't see her. There was a glass of wine on her desk with a note.

‘Sorry I couldn't stay. Forgot I had to meet Derek at a drinks thing. You did a great job! Julia. Xx'

That was unlike Julia. Rachel felt uneasy, hoping her newsreading role wasn't going to be an ongoing issue in their friendship.

Her phone rang. Mitch. A frisson of delight rippled through. ‘Hey, how are you?' She hoped he wasn't going to try and give her a newsreading lesson.

‘Good. Look, just rang to say you did a great job. How did it feel?'

‘Shocking. I don't think we should discuss it. But thanks anyway.'

‘Ah, the curse of the perfectionist. You really are being put through the wringer, aren't you? You're probably still in need of a trip down the coast.'

Her heart swelled. ‘I think you're right. I mean, my contract is all signed and sealed now, plus that last drama with Helmet was a month ago. Although it might be tricky now that I work weekends.'

‘You forget I'm head of my department and organise my own roster. Listen, you have this Thursday off, don't you? We should head down before the weather turns. What do you think?'

‘Sounds like a plan. I'd love to.'

Rachel didn't mind now that her newsreading performance had been less than stellar. She was going to have a day by the sea with the man whose eyes promised a world full of oceans.

***

Josh ran up the hallway squealing her name and leapt into her arms with a bear hug. Rachel squeezed back, smelling his soap-fresh skin, drawing in his warmth through soft flannel pyjamas.

‘Missed you, Joshie,' she whispered in his ear. He gave her fat, wet kisses in return. She put him down and knelt on the floor, pulling a chocolate rabbit from her coat pocket and slipping it into his hand. ‘Happy Easter, sweetie,' she said. ‘But no eating till tomorrow.'

Josh jumped up and down, kissing both her and the bunny in turn.

‘Not bad for a first-timer. You survived okay?' Lou smiled, her face open and relaxed. Her faded jeans and peasant top made her look lighter.

Rachel stood up, smoothing back her hair. ‘Oh, you know, it was pretty torrid. But hey, it can only get better, huh?'

‘Of course it will. Come on, dinner's nearly ready. And Joshie, no chocolate before tea, okay?'

Josh nodded and took Rachel's hand as they walked to the living room. She looked around at Lou and Neil's renovation. They'd done a good job. Modern and simple with folksy artwork and blue and white striped cushions, giving the room a beach-house feel. Appropriate too, given their Hampton home was only three blocks from the sea.

‘I miss you too, Auntie Rachel,' said Josh. ‘You should live with us again. That's what I think.'

‘Oh, I don't know, Joshie. You have such a lovely new home. I'd probably be too messy. Bet your Mum doesn't miss that.'

Lou laughed. ‘Oh, you'd be surprised what I miss. Your clothes most of all.'

‘Of course. And you'd love to get your hands on the new batch, I can tell you.'

Neil stood up from the navy sofa to greet Rachel and poured her a glass of white wine. Before long, they took their seats at the bleached pine table for dinner. Her girlfriends were heading to Electric Ladyland, a nightclub in Prahran, but Rachel knew she was better off having a quiet night at Lou's when she had to read the news again the next day.

‘It's just spag bol.' Lou delivered bowls to the table. ‘Thought I'd keep it simple. And it's Joshie's favourite. Hope you don't mind.'

‘Not at all. Anything I don't have to cook tastes doubly good.' Rachel reached for the parmesan and sprinkled it over the sauce.

‘Well, a bit of home cooking is probably just what you need. You've had a rough couple of weeks from what Mum's told me. What with that horrible bombing, then that whole debacle with that Damien guy and now the pressure of the newsreading. You must be feeling it.'

It was a mean thought but Rachel wondered if Lou was happiest when Rachel was going through a rough time. ‘Oh, no, I'm fine. Really. Absolutely fine.'

Lou gave her a look. ‘I know you better than that. You're with family now. Come on. How are you really?'

Breathing deeply, she pushed back the rising irritation. ‘Lou, I really
am
fine. In fact, even though I didn't read brilliantly tonight, I quite enjoyed it.'

Neil chipped in. ‘I thought you were pretty good. Especially for your first time.'

Lou patted his arm. ‘And he's right. But tell me about the bombing. How did you cope in the days after? Did the network offer you any counselling?'

‘Don't be silly, it's all part of the job.' Rachel felt her shoulders tensing. She didn't want to think about the bombing. The images still crept into her dreams.

‘I'm just asking you to tell me what it was like from your perspective. Not Rachel the reporter, Rachel my sister.'

Putting down her fork, Rachel made a decision. ‘Sorry, Lou. I really
don't
want to talk about it. Especially not here.' She nodded towards Josh, who was tucking into his spaghetti.

‘Oh, as if he'd understand. Rachel, I just don't get it with you. I'm trying to help you by encouraging you to talk about what must have been a traumatic experience.' Lou looked at her with concern, her, fork in air.

‘Well, let's just say that yes, it was traumatic and occasionally I still have nightmares. Can we leave it at that?'

‘Good idea,' Neil put his hands in the air. ‘Let's just change the subject. In fact, let's change the wine. A red would be better with spag bol. I'm going to open a new bottle and we can all have a fresh start. Righto?' He looked at them both. Silence. He sighed and stood up to get the red.

Rachel had lost her appetite. She looked around the room, everything neat and spotless. ‘The house is looking great. You've really done an amazing job with the reno, especially now the pictures are up.' It was lame, but it was better than nothing.

‘Thanks.' Lou gave a half-smile, twirling pasta around her fork and the conversation stalled.

Perhaps Electric Ladyland would have been a better option after all.

By Tuesday, Rachel's world was almost returning to normal. When she walked into the newsroom she no longer felt everybody staring. The fuss over her newsreading debut had faded. She was on the general reporting shift, determined to focus on her career and put the kissing-Damien-debacle behind her.

Sitting at her desk, she looked at the gap on her shelf where the photo of Tim had been and, for the first time, wasn't hit by a rush of longing. Perhaps it was because of what lay ahead. A day down the coast on Thursday. She'd have the wind in her hair, the sun on her face, feet cooling in the shallows with the waves lapping at her feet. Perhaps she'd be holding Mitch's hand. She stopped herself. Would they be able to maintain their friendship if their relationship shifted to another level? Moving some books and her ceramic koala, she filled the empty space.

But the world wasn't quite normal. Rachel picked up a sheet of paper outlining details of the story she'd been told to cover. A fifty-year-old man had been attacked by a wombat in a rural town, just out of Colac. His injuries were quite serious, but worse, he'd turned on the wombat and killed it with an axe. She tried to feel sorry for the wounded man yet was more distressed about the wombat. After all, the man had stepped heavily on the poor creature, which happened to be on his doorstep, so naturally it had gone on the attack.

Life was topsy-turvy in the country and also in her own backyard. If only she knew who was targeting her. Almost every spare moment she wondered about the identity of the stalker behind those letters; looking at faces in the street, fearful she was being followed. Not knowing or being able to do anything to put an end to the threat weighed heavily

***

The sea wasn't too cold so Rachel waded out further, the sand squelching between her toes. With the water lapping at her knees, she turned around to take in Bells Beach. The wide stretch curved before her like a haven. She breathed deeply, already feeling lighter. The sun warmed her back; the prickle of heat reminding her she'd forgotten to put on sunscreen. Screwing up her eyes against the glare, she tried to find Mitch among the bobbing surfers. He'd been out there for about an hour while she'd read her book.

She drew breath and quickly dived under the next wave. The water felt icy
against her skin and she shot up quickly, sweeping her hair out of her eyes. Again she looked for Mitch. This time she spotted him rising up on his surfboard, about to catch a wave. His body wavered as he found his balance then relaxed into the roll of the swell.

‘Hey, Mitch!' Rachel called out to him, waving. ‘Over here!'

His face broke into a broad grin as he lifted his hand to wave back. But the distraction threw his concentration and he fell forward, crashing into the water. In seconds he emerged, shaking his head and reaching for his board. He yelled something to her but she couldn't make out the words. She gestured for him to come closer.

‘If only I'd had my camera,' she called back. ‘Can you come in for a bit? I need you.'

He paused then straddled his board and began paddling in.

She couldn't stop looking at him. She'd imagined he might have a decent body, but seeing him bare-chested in boardshorts was a pleasant surprise. All she could think about was running her hands over that torso, feeling his strength beneath her fingers. He waded through the shallows pulling his board behind him. Coming closer, their eyes locked.

‘Can't hear you out there. What is it?' he said, raising an eyebrow and panting slightly, standing close to her. He seemed taller than usual. But at work she was normally wearing heels. She hoped he would think the pink flooding her cheeks came from the heat.

‘Oh, um, it's just that I've been sunbaking for a while and I'm starting to burn. Could you do my back?'

‘No problem.' He smiled, eyebrows slightly raised.

They walked back to their towels, spread out where the beach nudged the dunes.

‘I need mine done too.'

He sounded very matter-of-fact. She had to avoid his gaze. It was too intense. The combination of no clothes, wet bodies and the warm sun on her skin. All she could think about was sex. Sex with Mitch. Lots and lots of sex. Him putting sunblock on her back, rubbing her skin. That was a stupid idea. He'd be able to tell from her face what she really wanted and then she'd be humiliated. He'd invited her here as a friend.

Rachel handed him the lotion and turned around. She tensed up, waiting for the touch of his hands. And then it came. Caressing but strong. Was it her imagination or was there a lingering playfulness in his application? Both hands were moving in time, circling her shoulders and moving down to the small of her back. She shivered as he
touched the curve of her waist. She felt his body lean into hers, his skin still cool from the surf, pressing against her back and he spoke gently in her ear. ‘I don't want you to get a big head, but you scrub up pretty well in a bikini, Miss Bentley.'

Her ear tingled under his breath. ‘Why thank you, Mr Allen.'

‘Apart from this slightly pudgy bit here!' He gripped her buttocks with both hands and squeezed, then pulled away, laughing.

She swung around, her face red-hot ‘I can't believe you just did that.' Grabbing her towel, she took off as fast as she could. She wasn't sure if she was more upset by the insult or that he'd ruined what was building up as the most romantic moment she'd had all year.

‘Oh, it was only a joke! Jesus, Rachel, come back. Don't be an idiot!

She didn't stop but could hear him pounding the sand behind her. Sprinting in sand was hard work. She wished she'd gone to the gym more often. Her legs were tiring and she was running out of breath. Perhaps she could hide from him, somewhere in the sand dunes. She must keep going. On and on she ran, Mitch at her back, calling for her to stop. She made it over two grassy mounds before a hand gripped her arm. He tugged her around, and in a tangle of limbs they fell to the sand.

‘Leave me alone!' she gasped.

‘Would you stop it?' he said, breathless. He managed to pin her beneath him and she stopped wriggling, feeling an intense surge as their bodies pressed together. ‘I had to make a joke to try and stop myself from pulling you onto the sand and fucking your brains out. You're the one who keeps going on about being friends. Just rubbing that cream into your back was driving me crazy.'

Her body melted into the sand. ‘Me too,' she said in a small voice, looking up into his eyes. She felt him grow hard against her through his damp shorts and she curved her body into his. He pushed his mouth roughly against hers — his tongue searching deep and fiercely. Rachel kissed him back, feeling his fingers through her hair. Then a hand reached for her breast, traces of sand scratching against her nipple. They rolled over to the side and her hand instinctively reached for his shorts. But they too, were covered in sand. She pulled back from him. ‘Wait, too much sand.'

She stood up and shook out the towel, laying it out, smooth and clean. Gingerly, they lay down, kissing again. A sensuous kiss that began gently and quickly built. But she could hear voices in the distance. Anyone could pass by and see them. That shouldn't happen. Sand was everywhere. She felt it grazing their skin as their bodies rubbed
together. It was even in her bathers. Reluctantly, she pulled away and sat up. ‘I'm sorry. I really want this, but the sand . . .' She shook her head, not able to look him in the eyes.

Mitch sat up too and took her hand. ‘It's okay. I know.' He started to laugh. ‘Sand and sex really don't work, despite what they pretend in the movies. And our first time should be . . .' He shrugged.

Rachel's eyes widened in surprise. He'd thought the same. ‘So you don't mind waiting? I mean, it's not that I don't want—'

He leaned towards her, taking her face in his hands, and kissed her again. ‘I think we've both waited long enough to want it to be right. Let's go out on a date next week and if things go in the same direction, at least we'll have a bed nearby.'

She kissed him back. They both knew. Soon. Very soon.

***

The next day Rachel sat at her desk staring at the clock on the wall. It was just after five. The usual anticipation she savoured in the lead-up to the weekend intensified. Tomorrow night, as soon as the news was over, she'd go to the makeup department to get herself ready for a party where she'd see Mitch. It was a TV industry bash at a house in Nunawading, which was reasonably close to Channel Six, so there was no point going home then taking a taxi all the way back again. Kate was coming too and planned to meet her there.

While it wasn't a date night, she and Mitch had locked in a dinner together for the following Tuesday – the first night they could find – for them to go to a restaurant. A proper date.

‘Rachel Bentley!' A booming voice and Helmut's face was inches from hers. A startling contrast to the picture in her mind.

He grinned broadly. ‘What's say we get Friday drinks started early? Been to a long lunch and I'm itching to open that bar fridge, but I need company.' He hitched up his pants and turned around, waving a hand behind him. ‘Come on, then.'

Groaning, she heaved herself up from her desk. Perhaps it would help pass the time.

Gerard threw a ball of paper at her from his desk. ‘Don't whinge about it, at least you get an invitation. He just doesn't know how good I look in a skirt.' He pursed his mouth and flopped his hand over, winking at her.

‘You're welcome to go in my place.' Rachel paused. ‘Gerard, did you ever think you might seriously be gay?'

‘Think it, know it, love it, baby.' He leaned back in his chair, arms behind his head, a grin from ear to ear.

‘No kidding.' Rachel picked up the ball of paper and threw it back at him.

‘You going to the Channel Eight cameramen's party tomorrow night?' He leaned forward, lowering his voice.

‘Yeah, I'm taking Kate.'

‘Well, they're going to have the spa on full bubble, so you just watch me hop on in and see which of those strapping young cameramen I make a move on.' He winked at her again.

‘Can't wait.' Rachel blew him a kiss as she walked off to Helmut's office.

‘About time,' he bellowed as she entered, thrusting a glass in front of her. ‘Sav Blanc for the little lady and a beer for me.'

She took a seat, taking her drink. ‘How was your lunch?'

‘Ah, good times, good times.' He swigged on his beer then stuck a finger in his ear, wiggling vigorously. ‘Although these business blokes take you by surprise sometimes. Here I was thinking it's a corporate thing, and next thing you know they all start talking about porn.'

Rachel forced herself to smile. ‘Must have been a true blue blokey lunch, I guess.'

‘Oh, well, we all got stuck in, sure. But I bet you would have too, hey, Rach? Everyone owned up about watching their fair share, once they got over themselves. I mean, we all do, don't we? I bet you and your fella get into it. Don't you?'

‘Um, I'm not seeing anyone right now.' It wasn't exactly a lie. She and Mitch had only had one date so far. Besides which, Helmut had said earlier it was better that she was single.

‘Yes, but you seem like a girl who likes a good time.' He leaned forward and tipped his stubby towards her. ‘Geez, I learned a thing or two today. These guys wanted to get into the nitty gritty. They thought I must know a bit about the making of it 'cos I work in TV and all.' He leaned back and laughed, then licked his lips. ‘Ah yes, I learned a thing or two . . . I mean, did you know . . .' He paused and leaned forward again, watching her intently. ‘Did you know a lot of corporate video companies make porn as well? Yep, one of them today, told me he auditions the girls, fucks them himself on camera and them sells the video to some X-rated chain. Imagine that? Getting paid to make porn! Sounds like a dream job, eh? The guys were positively salivating over that
story. Better be careful if you get offered a corporate video, eh, Rachel?' He threw his head back, laughing.

Rachel nodded, wishing she was recording the conversation.

‘Oh, and another thing. He reckons they're also looking for writers 'cos their scripts are such crap. So I offered to belt out a story, on the proviso I got to sit in on the film set! What a hoot! I was kidding, of course, although it's tempting. But these buggers took me for real and started talking contracts. Can you believe that?' Helmut chortled, slapping his belly.

‘Amazing.' Rachel was desperate to change the topic, but her brain was in shock.

‘And then I thought, well, maybe I could write a script? Who'd know? Plus getting close up to the action while they're filming would such a turn on. Those pretty young things with their pert little breasts. Now that would be a field day.'

Rachel took a deep gulp of her wine. Please could he stop now. She had to leave. She put her glass on his desk and started to stand. ‘Thanks for the drink, but I really have to—'

‘No, no!' he barked loudly. ‘You sit back down, girlie. You've only just got here. Now come on, what's the best porn film you've ever seen?'

She dropped back into her chair. ‘I really can't remember . . .' Her voice trailed off lamely.

‘Oh, come on then, at least something R-rated?'

Rachel racked her brain. ‘I remember some film called
Unfaithful
. That was pretty full on.'

‘Ah yes, I saw that one. The same guy who used to date Kylie Minogue. And that blonde girl. She was hot. Great body and good tits too. Don't think she'd even had a boob job . . .'

Rachel tuned out, nodding her head and smiling while sneaking furtive glances at her watch. She'd wait for ten more minutes. Then she was leaving whether he barked or not. This was the last time she'd take part in private Friday drinks with Helmut. It was too much. Even her anticipation about the evening with Mitch had diminished. Sex suddenly didn't seem quite so appealing.