Heart of Ice

Heart of Ice

GL Corbin

copyright 2012 GL Corbin

The characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, dead or alive, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

Author's Web Site

http://www.GLCorbin.com

Chapter 1

Sarah hated mornings. More specifically, she hated that very first moment when she opened her eyes, and realised she was alone in the bed. After twelve months, she felt as though she should be used to it by now. She wasn't.

They had been so right together; everyone had said so. Even Sarah's father had liked David, and her father didn't like anyone. They had met at university. Sarah had taken Psychology; David had read Mathematics. After university, David had walked straight into a high paid job with a software company. They had moved into a small apartment a few miles from David's offices. Sarah's job search had met with less success; it didn't help that she'd had no idea what she wanted to do. One day, purely on a whim, she had applied for a job in the admin office at 'Milners', a local company which made fittings for the plumbing trade. Three years later, she was still working there. The job was pretty mundane, but the people made up for it.

Milners was one of the town's oldest businesses, and had at one time been its biggest employer. Times had changed. At its peak the company had employed almost six hundred people; the majority on the shop floor. Today, the company employed a quarter of that number, and there were constant rumours the business was in serious financial trouble.

There were four people in the admin office; Sarah, Jody, Kathy and Geoff. The work was mundane, and not in the least demanding. Sarah knew she should look for something better, but inertia had set in.

“Morning Sarah.” At thirty one, Jody was five years older than Sarah. Their desks faced one another. Jody had shown Sarah the ropes when she first started at Milners'.

“Morning. How are the kids?”

“Andy's got another cold.”

“Didn't he just have one?”

“He's always got one. And when he hasn't, you can bet Sally has. I reckon I'm keeping the tissue industry in business single-handedly. How was your weekend?”

“Okay thanks.” Sarah managed an unconvincing smile.

“Did you go out?”

Sarah hesitated.

“You didn't, did you? You promised you would. You can't keep yourself locked away.”

“Maybe next weekend.”

*******

“Something's going on,” Geoff was the supervisor in the admin office. At least, that was his job title. The three women ran rings around him most of the time. He didn't seem to mind, and the work always got done on time.

“You're paranoid.” Jody was making tea for everyone. The vending machine had been on the blink for over a week, so it was back to tea bags and a kettle. “You said the same last week when you saw the man in the blue suit. He turned out to be the local Health & Safety officer.”

“This time, I'm sure. There's been a stream of managers in and out of Leeroy's office. Something's going on – mark my words.”

Arthur Leeroy was the latest in a string of CEOs who had been tasked with turning the company around. So far, he'd had no more success than his predecessors.

“Thanks.” Sarah took the cup of tea from Jody.

“Hey Kathy,” Jody called across the office. “Guess who stayed in again this weekend?”

“Sarah! You promised you were going to go out.” Kathy was the oldest of the three women. When Sarah had first joined Milners, she hadn't known what to make of Kathy. She was fifty if she was a day, but she dressed more like a teenager - short skirts, tight tops and gaudy make-up. For her age, Kathy had a great figure, but even so she couldn't get away with the clothes she wore. Kathy didn't give a rat's arse about what anyone thought or said. Sarah had never met anyone more comfortable in their own skin.

“You will have to come out with me.” Kathy dunked a biscuit into her tea. She had gone for lime green lipstick today.

“I don't think I could keep up with you Kath,” Sarah said. She wasn't joking.

*******

“What did I tell you?” Geoff pushed in between Jody and Kathy. “Something's happening – I knew it.”

“Even a broken clock's right twice a day,” Jody said.

“What??”

“Never mind. You'll work it out. Leeroy's here.”

The entire workforce had been called together in the canteen for an 'important announcement'. Arthur Leeroy wasn't renowned for his sunny disposition, but he looked even more solemn than usual.

“This doesn't look good,” Kathy said.

“Ladies and gentlemen. I hope you can all hear me. What about you at the back? Okay? Good. This is a copy of a press release which will be officially released in...” He checked his watch. “... in ten minutes time. I don't intend to read it word for word or we will be here all afternoon.”

“Better than working.” A voice from the back of the canteen.

“The gist of the press release is simple. Milners has today been acquired by International Cross Enterprises (I.C.E.).”

“Is that it?”

“That's as much as I can tell you.”

“What about our jobs?”

“I don't know any more than you do.”

“Who are International Cross whatever they are called.”

“I.C.E. is a multinational corporation with interests in any number of different sectors according to the press release.”

“What do they want with Milners?”

“We come as part of a package. As you probably already know – Milners is part of the Alexander Engineering Group of companies. I.C.E. has bought the whole group.”

*******

Back in the office, it was Kathy's turn to make the tea.

“You're the brainy one Sarah. What do you know about I.C.E.?”

“I've never heard of them, but then my psychology degree didn't include much in the way of business studies.”

“Do you reckon our jobs are safe?”

“I should think so.” Sarah had no idea, but couldn't see the point in worrying Jody. “Companies get taken over all the time.

“I wouldn't be so sure. Look at this!” Geoff was staring at his computer screen. “They sound like asset strippers.”

“What the hell is an asset stripper?” Kathy passed the cups of tea around.

“It means they buy companies, sell off the best bits, and then close them down.”

“I shouldn't worry about it yet.” Sarah knew Jody would. Married with two young children, her husband had been made redundant six months ago. He had found a job, but it was part-time minimum wage. Between the two of them, they barely covered their bills.

  “Let's wait until there's something to worry about.

“Our new owner is a bit of all right.” Kathy was looking over Geoff's shoulder. “Look at this.”

The women crowded around Geoff's desk.

Andrew Cross – Chairman of International Cross Enterprises – pictured aboard his yacht

“He looks a right poser,” Geoff said.

“He can afford to be. He's bloody gorgeous.” Kathy sipped her tea. “And loaded too. He could have me if he played his cards right. What do you reckon Sarah?”

“You can have him.” Sarah walked back to her desk. The news reports which Geoff had found were worrying. I.C.E. had a bad reputation for company closures and mass redundancies. If the worse did come to the worse, it wouldn't be the end of the world for Sarah. In fact, it might be the kick up the backside she needed to force her to do something with her life. It was Kathy and Jody she worried for. Losing their wage would have a massive impact on their families.

Chapter 2

Weekends and evenings were the worst times. While she was at work, Sarah could forget about everything else. As soon as she got back home, the old memories came flooding back. It didn't help that she still lived in the same apartment –
their
apartment. She should move out; she knew that. 

Jody and her husband had invited her to dinner. She should have said no – made some excuse. It wouldn't have done any good because Jody would have known she was lying. Sarah had never been able to lie – unlike David.

“Hi mum.” Sarah's mother rang every other evening and always on Saturday mornings.

Sarah dreaded the calls. Much as she loved her mother, she resented being checked on. What could she say to reassure her mother that she was okay? Nothing – her mother would see through her empty words.

“I'm going to Jody's tonight – for dinner. Yes I'm looking forward to it.” It was much easier to lie on the phone than face to face.

Her mother always managed to conjure up news of a relative or neighbour to fill the ten minute calls. Sarah barely knew half of the people her mother talked about.

“Okay. Take care. Love to dad.” Sarah checked her watch. It was probably too early for a glass of wine, but she poured one anyway. David had hated her to drink during the day.

“Fuck you David!” She raised her glass, and took a long drink.

*******

 Sarah had a bottle of wine in one hand and a bunch of flowers in the other. Judging by the noise coming from inside the house, Jody's kids weren't in bed yet.

“Sarah. Come in.” Jody took the flowers. “They're lovely thanks.”

The kids came charging through the hallway; one in pursuit of the other.

“Stop running! Sorry about that. My mother is taking them for the night. She should be here any minute – I hope.”

Twenty minutes later, the house was much calmer; the kids had been collected by their grandparents.

Eddy, Jody's husband was in charge of cooking.

“He loves to cook,” Jody beamed. “He puts me to shame.”

The two women were in the small living room.

“Another?” Jody had the wine bottle in her hand.

“Not for me.” Sarah had already polished off a half bottle at home. She would have to take it steady if she wasn't going to make a show of herself.

“Dinner will be twenty minutes.” Eddy stuck his head around the door. “I hope you aren't a veggie Sarah.”

“No chance. Card carrying carnivore – that's me.”

Jody and Eddy had so little, and yet so much. Sarah knew their finances must be stretched to the limit, and yet they had permanent smiles etched on their faces. But then, why wouldn't they? It was plain to see how much they loved one another and the kids.

“Don't mention I.C.E. to Eddy,” Jody whispered. “He worries.”

“Doesn't he know?”

“He knows about the takeover. It was in the paper. He doesn't know that I.C.E. are asset strippers.”

“I'll get it.” Jody was already on her way to the door. Sarah had a horrible sinking feeling in her stomach. Surely Jody wouldn't have...

“Sarah. This is Stewart. Stewart this is Sarah.”

Neither of the guests seemed sure of the protocol. Air kisses? In the end, they settled for a rather weak handshake.

“Stewart works with Eddy.” Jody had a huge grin on her face.

This was the reason Jody had been so insistent Sarah came tonight. If she had realised, Sarah would definitely have declined the invitation.

“Sarah, will you pour Stewart a drink while I check how Eddy’s doing.”

  “I'm sorry about this,” Stewart whispered. “I take it you didn't know I would be here.”

Sarah shook her head.

“I'll kill Eddy. He said he had told you. I would never have...”

“It's okay. I wouldn't blame Eddy. This has Jody's hallmark all over it. She can't bear to see me by myself.”

*******

Jody had made sure Stewart and Sarah were seated next to one another.

“Stewart has been divorced for two years.” Jody was in full matchmaking mode.

Sarah wondered if it would spoil the atmosphere if she reached across the table and throttled Jody.

As the evening wore on, Sarah managed to relax. Stewart was a quiet man, shy almost. David had been gregarious, always the life and soul. After the meal, Jody had refused Sarah's offer to help with the washing up.

“Do you have children?” Sarah asked.

“No.” Stewart looked a little sad. “We had talked about it, but... What about you?”

“No. Thank goodness. I can barely look after myself.”

“Eddy said you have a degree in Psychology.”

“Yeah – for all the good it's done me. Milners wasn't exactly what I had in mind when I was cramming for my exams.”

“Why don't you leave?”

“Leave?”

“Why not? Leave Milners. Leave Oakhampton. Hell, leave the country if you want to. What's stopping you? You should look on this as a new start. A second chance.”

“Sounds to me like you are recycling advice.”

“You're right.” Stewart cracked a smile for the first time that evening. “People are telling me that kind of stuff all the time.”

“Do you pay any attention?”

“I haven't to-date.”

“Me neither. Maybe we should give each other a boot up the backside.”

“How do you mean?”

“I think we should make a pledge. Mind, this might be the drink talking.”

“Go on.”

“We should both pledge to move on with our lives in the next six months.”

“To moving on.” Stewart raised his glass.

“To moving on.”

“It's nice to see you two getting on so well.” Jody was standing in the doorway.