Catier's strike Read Online Free Page A

titbits. At least she wouldn't have to take any more in that line once she was out of the vicinity.
    `The boys' tongues were hanging out after that announcement this morning,' said Martha. 'Of course, I didn't tell them everything. Just said that you'd crossed swords with you know who, and were on the black list,' she added meaningly.
    Sarah's brows lifted. Martha wouldn't have been able to resist passing on what Sarah had told her. Only to one or two of them, that was, who would pass on the news to the others. They must have had quite a session in the bar discussing this unusual turn of events, she thought wryly. There was no doubt that some of them would breathe easier now, since they were of the same opinion as Martha was, that she knew more than they did.
    `I suppose I'd better write up my notes elsewhere,' Martha said breezily. 'Can't have you peeking, can we?' she added in malicious playfulness.
    `Don't bother, I'm just off,' Sarah replied angrily. 'I haven't sunk low enough to pinch anyone's copy yet,' thinking that Martha's copy wouldn't be worth the trouble anyway. Her father would do the work for her when she got back to the newsroom, sorting through the reams of notes she was known to make, relevant or irrelevant.
    There was just time for Sarah to take a swift shower before she left for the canteen and her new quarters, and an empty feeling in her stomach reminded her that she hadn't had any lunch at lunchtime. She had been too busy, although Mrs Pullman had put something aside for her when she and Sandy had snatched a quick break, but Sarah had declined the food; she had had a good breakfast before her unannounced interview with Sean Cartier, and the ensuing events had somewhat taken the edge off her appetite—that, and the smell of cooking that pervaded the kitchens.
    This time she was more suitably dressed for the work in hand, in trews and light cotton top. Experience had taught her to travel light when packing, but she always had her emergency kit with her where clothes were concerned, and trews had been a must, because she never knew when she would be likely to find herself scrambling over rough terrain in pursuit of a story.
    As she left the press quarters and headed towards the canteen, she was still smarting from Martha's uncalled-for innuendo that she would try to sneak a look at her notes, and she only hoped that her comment that a breakthrough was imminent turned out right, even if it did mean having to face her editor with an empty notebook in her hand. There was always the first time, she told herself stoutly, and maybe he would take her past work for the paper into consideration before sacking her!
    `Hi! Where's the fire?' called a voice that made Sarah wince in annoyance and look back to see
    Charles Ashley striding towards her and gallantly attempting to relieve her of her overnight case, which she resisted firmly. 'Martha says you've stepped on Cartier's corns,' he said breezily. `Where are you off to now? Been banished to the outer regions, have you?' he asked.
    Sarah's lovely eyes showed her annoyance at his flippancy. That wasn't all he knew, she thought. 'I'm off to join the domestics,' she said, managing to keep her voice on an even keel.
    `Rotten luck,' he said sympathetically, then paused as if a thought had suddenly struck him. `Look, why don't we work together on this one? As soon as the whistle's blown, I'll slip you the gen,' he offered innocently. 'No one's to know, are they? I'm of the opinion that Cartier's too big for his boots, and I don't mind putting one over him. What do you say?'
    For one second Sarah was tempted, but when she saw the predatory gleam in the Clarion reporter's eyes, she gave an abrupt shake of her head. 'Thank you, Charles, but I think not. This is going to be one that got away,' she added, managing to summon up a rueful smile, as she began to walk on.
    He caught her arm. 'Look, don't be such a damn fool. This could cost you your job. Lyall's probably chewing