Disclaimer: I imply no ownership of the characters. They are the property of Shed Productions and the BBC.
I use them only for creative purposes.
Part Three
Half way back to the office, Nikki's mobile rang. She dropped it in to Victoria's lap and asked her to answer it
as she was driving.
"Hello?"
"Oh, is that Victoria?" Asked Julie Johnson. "I was looking for Nikki."
"She's driving so she asked me to take the call."
"Oh right. Well, I'm filling out the list for sandwich orders and I need to know what I'm supposed to be
getting for you three." Victoria repeated the message to Nikki with a slightly bemused look on her face.
"Oh yeah. don't worry, just tell Julie what you'd like. And tell her mine's a ham and tomato."
"And mine's a cheese and pickle," Came Denny's voice from the back seat.
Victoria repeated the order to Julie adding her own of a tuna salad. When she switched the phone off she
turned to Nikki.
"Is that normal?"
"Oh yeah. Part of the Julies' job is to get our sandwiches every day. They come round the office or phone
us if we're not in. they get them from this bloody gorgeous bakery just down the road. If you ever don't
want them to get you one, just say."
"Oh no. That's fine by me. Saves me having to worry about remembering to eat."
"Jesus!" Said Denny in complete disgust. "You wouldn't ever catch me forgetting to eat. A morning on
this job and you're starving by dinner time, innit."
Victoria laughed. She liked Nikki and Denny and knew she would enjoy working with them. They were both
very easy going and willing to accept her for who she was.
When they arrived back at the office, Nikki said,
"right. I have to go and bring Mike up to speed on last night's fire. I suggest we spend this afternoon
writing it up together. I'd like to see your writing style in progress. Don't worry, I'm sure it's fine. In the
meantime, would you like to go with Denny and watch her developing this morning's pictures. It's always a
good thing if you know how to develop your own if you ever take any. Denny will show you the ropes but
that's only in case one of the very talented four isn't available to do it for you."
"Yeah, that sounds fine."
"Great. I'll see you in the coffee lounge at about twelve thirty then."
Victoria helped Denny retrieve all the camera equipment from the car and followed her inside, whilst Nikki
took the stairs to mike Barrett's office on the second floor. She knew she had to tell Mike about what she'd
heard Fenner say to Rachel Hicks. There were a lot of unanswered questions which needed exploring and at
least Nikki knew that Mike would take her seriously. She was sure as hell lucky she didn't have Karen Betts
for an immediate boss. Karen was going out with Fenner rather too openly for the office staff's liking and
Nikki knew that she would never be able to persuade Karen that her other half was quite obviously involved
in something dodgy.
She knocked on the open door of Mike's office and walked in.
"Hi. How're you getting on with Victoria?"
"Oh, she's fine. Denny's in the process of showing her how to develop photographs. Listen, we need to
talk, are you busy?"
"No. Shut the door. This sounds serious." Nikki closed the office door and took the available chair.
"It is. It's about as serious as you can get."
"Is this off the record?"
"I don't know that it can be. When I went to the hospital to see the victim of last night's fire, Rachel Hicks, I
walked in to find Fenner leaning over her and threatening her."
"Threatening her how?"
"He was telling her to keep her mouth shut because she didn't want anything else to happen to her baby."
"Okay. Who else knows about this?"
"No-one. I think Fenner might know I heard him but that's all. I'd left Victoria at the house with Denny. I'm
glad I did now."
"yes."
"What do you think we should do about this?"
"I think, yes that's the only way. I'll have a word with Karen."
"Oh come on, Mike. You know she won't listen. She's shagging Fenner twice a night from what I've heard
so she certainly isn't going to listen to anything like this."
"Perhaps not. But she may tell him that other people do know and that might be enough to persuade him to
stay out of whatever he's got himself in to."
"Some hope! But what if he keeps his threat to Rachel?"
"I'll tell Karen what you heard. That way it won't have come from Rachel. You say she's in hospital. Well,
let's hope they keep her there for a little while."
"Okay. So we keep this fairly quiet unless he does anything else."
"Yes, for now. We have to go in delicately on something like this."
"Jesus! I always thought that being a journalist was more like being a bloody detective."
"Why do you think most of us do it?"
"Yeah, I see what you mean. I'm going to spend the afternoon writing the story of last nights' fire with
Victoria."
"Good. You know, I think she'll get on really well here. I was in on her interview and saw the article she
submitted beforehand. She's pretty good. I think you'll enjoy working with her."
Downstairs in the dark room, Victoria was watching Denny put picture after picture through the developing
process.
"So, how long have you been working here?"
"About two years. Then Shaz, my bird, she joined a few months ago." Victoria smiled.
"I wondered why you had the name Shaz tattooed on your hand?"
"Yeah," Denny giggled. "She's got a Denny one an' all."
"That's sweet," Said Victoria.
"Well, we love each other innit."
"I've never found a bloke who would do that for me."
"Ah well, that's why women are better. You should give it a try."
"No, not really my thing," Victoria said with a grin. "So, who's with who around here?"
"You see, that's where you get to hear all the goss, being a photographer cos everyone assumes you won't
remember nothing. And it's more like who's shagging who in this place."
"Really? Now you've got me interested."
"Well, Nikki, who we were with this morning, she's going out with Tash, she's the main health reporter.
And you know about Crystal, we met her boyfriend at the house. The Julies are always making a crack at
some bloke. Zandra, she's Karen Betts' secretary and she's hanging about with Alex Adams at the moment,
but she doesn't stick to one bloke for long either."
"And Jim Fenner?"
"Christ! He doesn't take long does he. When did you meet him?"
"This morning. he looked me up and down like I was a suit he was buying."
"Yeah, Fenner's an evil bastard really."
"Oh?"
"Yeah, he did over a friend of mine. She used to work here. Shell Dockley. He really messed her up. She
couldn't stick working here after he dumped her."
"So who's he with at the moment?"
"His latest conquest is Karen Betts. She's the senior news editor. He'll drop her soon enough, he always
does."
At twelve thirty, Victoria followed Denny back to the coffee lounge which was somewhat fuller than earlier
that morning. A minor argument was going on in the corner between the blonde woman who'd been at
Victoria's interview and a red haired woman who's name badge said Yvonne Atkins.
"You can't seriously tell me that the local vicar going bankrupt shouldn't come from the finance department.
It's bleeding obvious. I mean what is bankruptcy but financial news." This came from the rd head who's
red hot temper had clearly just got going.
"It's local community news, Yvonne, not some financial scoop that'll make the national headlines."
"No, you dozy cow, but it will make the local headlines. I mean, everyone trusts their vicar don't they.
They're not gonna like it when they read how he's been made insolvent because he's been supporting a
second family on the sly."
"there's far more of the thing about the local community in that story than there is of the finance issue. You
know that! You've obviously just not got enough to fill your front page this week."
"Bollocks! You're only saying that because Nikki's right in line to take that arson story off you."
Nikki approached Victoria and looking at her face said,
"Oh, just ignore those two. They're always at each other's throats over something." She took Victoria over
to where the two women were sitting.
"Karen, Yvonne, this is Victoria."
"Hi love, come and sit down," Said Yvonne looking pleased at the diversion of the conversation.
"When am I going to make you see that you can't twist the headline of every story to suit you, Yvonne?"
Continued Karen.
"Never, Darling, Never," Yvonne replied with a sly grin on her face. Karen stood up, nodded to Victoria and
Nikki and walked away.
"Jesus!" Said Yvonne. "She's got so tight arced since she started shagging Fenner."
"Yeah, we all know that," answered Nikki before turning to Victoria. "I'll get your sandwiches if you like.
Would you like a coffee?"
"Please, but do you want me to do it. I feel like everyone's been looking after me today."
"That's how it's supposed to be on your first day," Said Yvonne. "It's the new girl's perk, to have
everyone waiting on her. Don't worry, it won't last longer than tomorrow." Nikki came back with packets of
sandwiches and coffee for the three of them.
"What did you get today?" Asked Nikki with a grin, then looking at Victoria's questioning gaze she said,
"Yvonne always gets really weird sandwiches. Once she ordered peanut butter and strawberry jam."
"That is not weird," Said Victoria. "Try banana and lemon curd."
"Do you know something," said Yvonne, "I'm gonna like having you around." Then turning to Nikki, "Only
chicken bacon and mayonnaise today, sweetheart, so no, nothing too outlandish this time."
"So how did you get on with Denny," Asked Nikki.
"Oh, great," Said Victoria through a mouthful of sandwich. "She was telling me who's partnered up with
who around here."
"Oh god," Said Yvonne. "That would take forever with this place." Just at that point, a longhaired Asian
woman approached also carrying sandwiches and a coffee.
"This is Tash," Said Nikki. "Tash, Victoria, our new junior."
"Good to meet you," Said Tash sitting down next to Nikki.
"Did Denny also tell you that I have the pleasure of living with this gorgeous woman here?" Victoria smiled
at the puppy-like gaze that had come over Nikki.
"yes, she did."
"so, what're you up to this afternoon?" Asked Yvonne as the other two appeared to be too interested in
each other to keep track of anyone else.
"We're going to be writing the story on last night's fire."
"Oh yeah, I heard about that. What happened?"
"They're pretty sure it's arson but Nikki went to the hospital to see the victim so she'll probably know more
than me."
"I wouldn't bet on it right now," said Yvonne with a grin. She leaned closer to Victoria. "As soon as she
sees Tash, she completely forgets anyone else exists."
"It's sweet really," Said Victoria in an undertone.
"Yeah, in a pass me the bucket kind of way. But I don't think I've ever seen Nikki this happy."
I use them only for creative purposes.
Part Three
Half way back to the office, Nikki's mobile rang. She dropped it in to Victoria's lap and asked her to answer it
as she was driving.
"Hello?"
"Oh, is that Victoria?" Asked Julie Johnson. "I was looking for Nikki."
"She's driving so she asked me to take the call."
"Oh right. Well, I'm filling out the list for sandwich orders and I need to know what I'm supposed to be
getting for you three." Victoria repeated the message to Nikki with a slightly bemused look on her face.
"Oh yeah. don't worry, just tell Julie what you'd like. And tell her mine's a ham and tomato."
"And mine's a cheese and pickle," Came Denny's voice from the back seat.
Victoria repeated the order to Julie adding her own of a tuna salad. When she switched the phone off she
turned to Nikki.
"Is that normal?"
"Oh yeah. Part of the Julies' job is to get our sandwiches every day. They come round the office or phone
us if we're not in. they get them from this bloody gorgeous bakery just down the road. If you ever don't
want them to get you one, just say."
"Oh no. That's fine by me. Saves me having to worry about remembering to eat."
"Jesus!" Said Denny in complete disgust. "You wouldn't ever catch me forgetting to eat. A morning on
this job and you're starving by dinner time, innit."
Victoria laughed. She liked Nikki and Denny and knew she would enjoy working with them. They were both
very easy going and willing to accept her for who she was.
When they arrived back at the office, Nikki said,
"right. I have to go and bring Mike up to speed on last night's fire. I suggest we spend this afternoon
writing it up together. I'd like to see your writing style in progress. Don't worry, I'm sure it's fine. In the
meantime, would you like to go with Denny and watch her developing this morning's pictures. It's always a
good thing if you know how to develop your own if you ever take any. Denny will show you the ropes but
that's only in case one of the very talented four isn't available to do it for you."
"Yeah, that sounds fine."
"Great. I'll see you in the coffee lounge at about twelve thirty then."
Victoria helped Denny retrieve all the camera equipment from the car and followed her inside, whilst Nikki
took the stairs to mike Barrett's office on the second floor. She knew she had to tell Mike about what she'd
heard Fenner say to Rachel Hicks. There were a lot of unanswered questions which needed exploring and at
least Nikki knew that Mike would take her seriously. She was sure as hell lucky she didn't have Karen Betts
for an immediate boss. Karen was going out with Fenner rather too openly for the office staff's liking and
Nikki knew that she would never be able to persuade Karen that her other half was quite obviously involved
in something dodgy.
She knocked on the open door of Mike's office and walked in.
"Hi. How're you getting on with Victoria?"
"Oh, she's fine. Denny's in the process of showing her how to develop photographs. Listen, we need to
talk, are you busy?"
"No. Shut the door. This sounds serious." Nikki closed the office door and took the available chair.
"It is. It's about as serious as you can get."
"Is this off the record?"
"I don't know that it can be. When I went to the hospital to see the victim of last night's fire, Rachel Hicks, I
walked in to find Fenner leaning over her and threatening her."
"Threatening her how?"
"He was telling her to keep her mouth shut because she didn't want anything else to happen to her baby."
"Okay. Who else knows about this?"
"No-one. I think Fenner might know I heard him but that's all. I'd left Victoria at the house with Denny. I'm
glad I did now."
"yes."
"What do you think we should do about this?"
"I think, yes that's the only way. I'll have a word with Karen."
"Oh come on, Mike. You know she won't listen. She's shagging Fenner twice a night from what I've heard
so she certainly isn't going to listen to anything like this."
"Perhaps not. But she may tell him that other people do know and that might be enough to persuade him to
stay out of whatever he's got himself in to."
"Some hope! But what if he keeps his threat to Rachel?"
"I'll tell Karen what you heard. That way it won't have come from Rachel. You say she's in hospital. Well,
let's hope they keep her there for a little while."
"Okay. So we keep this fairly quiet unless he does anything else."
"Yes, for now. We have to go in delicately on something like this."
"Jesus! I always thought that being a journalist was more like being a bloody detective."
"Why do you think most of us do it?"
"Yeah, I see what you mean. I'm going to spend the afternoon writing the story of last nights' fire with
Victoria."
"Good. You know, I think she'll get on really well here. I was in on her interview and saw the article she
submitted beforehand. She's pretty good. I think you'll enjoy working with her."
Downstairs in the dark room, Victoria was watching Denny put picture after picture through the developing
process.
"So, how long have you been working here?"
"About two years. Then Shaz, my bird, she joined a few months ago." Victoria smiled.
"I wondered why you had the name Shaz tattooed on your hand?"
"Yeah," Denny giggled. "She's got a Denny one an' all."
"That's sweet," Said Victoria.
"Well, we love each other innit."
"I've never found a bloke who would do that for me."
"Ah well, that's why women are better. You should give it a try."
"No, not really my thing," Victoria said with a grin. "So, who's with who around here?"
"You see, that's where you get to hear all the goss, being a photographer cos everyone assumes you won't
remember nothing. And it's more like who's shagging who in this place."
"Really? Now you've got me interested."
"Well, Nikki, who we were with this morning, she's going out with Tash, she's the main health reporter.
And you know about Crystal, we met her boyfriend at the house. The Julies are always making a crack at
some bloke. Zandra, she's Karen Betts' secretary and she's hanging about with Alex Adams at the moment,
but she doesn't stick to one bloke for long either."
"And Jim Fenner?"
"Christ! He doesn't take long does he. When did you meet him?"
"This morning. he looked me up and down like I was a suit he was buying."
"Yeah, Fenner's an evil bastard really."
"Oh?"
"Yeah, he did over a friend of mine. She used to work here. Shell Dockley. He really messed her up. She
couldn't stick working here after he dumped her."
"So who's he with at the moment?"
"His latest conquest is Karen Betts. She's the senior news editor. He'll drop her soon enough, he always
does."
At twelve thirty, Victoria followed Denny back to the coffee lounge which was somewhat fuller than earlier
that morning. A minor argument was going on in the corner between the blonde woman who'd been at
Victoria's interview and a red haired woman who's name badge said Yvonne Atkins.
"You can't seriously tell me that the local vicar going bankrupt shouldn't come from the finance department.
It's bleeding obvious. I mean what is bankruptcy but financial news." This came from the rd head who's
red hot temper had clearly just got going.
"It's local community news, Yvonne, not some financial scoop that'll make the national headlines."
"No, you dozy cow, but it will make the local headlines. I mean, everyone trusts their vicar don't they.
They're not gonna like it when they read how he's been made insolvent because he's been supporting a
second family on the sly."
"there's far more of the thing about the local community in that story than there is of the finance issue. You
know that! You've obviously just not got enough to fill your front page this week."
"Bollocks! You're only saying that because Nikki's right in line to take that arson story off you."
Nikki approached Victoria and looking at her face said,
"Oh, just ignore those two. They're always at each other's throats over something." She took Victoria over
to where the two women were sitting.
"Karen, Yvonne, this is Victoria."
"Hi love, come and sit down," Said Yvonne looking pleased at the diversion of the conversation.
"When am I going to make you see that you can't twist the headline of every story to suit you, Yvonne?"
Continued Karen.
"Never, Darling, Never," Yvonne replied with a sly grin on her face. Karen stood up, nodded to Victoria and
Nikki and walked away.
"Jesus!" Said Yvonne. "She's got so tight arced since she started shagging Fenner."
"Yeah, we all know that," answered Nikki before turning to Victoria. "I'll get your sandwiches if you like.
Would you like a coffee?"
"Please, but do you want me to do it. I feel like everyone's been looking after me today."
"That's how it's supposed to be on your first day," Said Yvonne. "It's the new girl's perk, to have
everyone waiting on her. Don't worry, it won't last longer than tomorrow." Nikki came back with packets of
sandwiches and coffee for the three of them.
"What did you get today?" Asked Nikki with a grin, then looking at Victoria's questioning gaze she said,
"Yvonne always gets really weird sandwiches. Once she ordered peanut butter and strawberry jam."
"That is not weird," Said Victoria. "Try banana and lemon curd."
"Do you know something," said Yvonne, "I'm gonna like having you around." Then turning to Nikki, "Only
chicken bacon and mayonnaise today, sweetheart, so no, nothing too outlandish this time."
"So how did you get on with Denny," Asked Nikki.
"Oh, great," Said Victoria through a mouthful of sandwich. "She was telling me who's partnered up with
who around here."
"Oh god," Said Yvonne. "That would take forever with this place." Just at that point, a longhaired Asian
woman approached also carrying sandwiches and a coffee.
"This is Tash," Said Nikki. "Tash, Victoria, our new junior."
"Good to meet you," Said Tash sitting down next to Nikki.
"Did Denny also tell you that I have the pleasure of living with this gorgeous woman here?" Victoria smiled
at the puppy-like gaze that had come over Nikki.
"yes, she did."
"so, what're you up to this afternoon?" Asked Yvonne as the other two appeared to be too interested in
each other to keep track of anyone else.
"We're going to be writing the story on last night's fire."
"Oh yeah, I heard about that. What happened?"
"They're pretty sure it's arson but Nikki went to the hospital to see the victim so she'll probably know more
than me."
"I wouldn't bet on it right now," said Yvonne with a grin. She leaned closer to Victoria. "As soon as she
sees Tash, she completely forgets anyone else exists."
"It's sweet really," Said Victoria in an undertone.
"Yeah, in a pass me the bucket kind of way. But I don't think I've ever seen Nikki this happy."