Back After the Break

by Anita Notaro

  Lindsay knew she had one chance to convince him. She chose her words carefully.

  ‘I think it’s a fantastic show and an amazing opportunity for me but I would only want to do it if I thought I could bring something to the show. And I think I can. I feel the format is a little tired at the moment and the competition for guests is getting tougher. We need to go after the top names but also bring another dimension to it, generate some Irish items, good interviews, interesting discussions – maybe tackle issues that haven’t been done before in an Irish context. We have to keep our viewers glued to the show and we won’t do that with mediocre names, just because they’re on the publicity trail. Also, I feel Irish people like to see other Irish people talk about difficult, thorny subjects. I realize I have relatively little experience in TV but I know a good programme when I see one. I’ve watched enough – good and bad – over the years. Also it’s an area that I’m really interested in and I’m prepared to work my ass off for the next few weeks or months or whatever. I do have Alan, hopefully, to bounce things off and that would be a help also.’ She paused for breath and knew he was looking at her intently.

  ‘How do you get on with Tom?’ She knew it would come and answering it was not going to be easy.

  ‘I have a great deal of respect for him, I think he does a very good job. Sometimes, I think he’s too close to it all and that’s where I see my role. He gets a bee in his bonnet and can be stubborn and he is resistant to change, which I think is needed in certain aspects of the programme, but overall I think he’s very intelligent and highly capable and sometimes he’s superb.’

  He looked at her for a long moment.

  ‘Well, I’ve talked to a number of people about you and they all tell me that you too are intelligent and highly capable and your training programme was described as superb by one or two of them.’ She turned purple with pleasure. ‘So, I’m prepared to give you a chance. But there are a couple of things you need to be aware of and obviously this is completely confidential. Firstly, I agree with your assessment of Tom Watts and he is a very important part of our television schedule right now, but I also know that he can be extremely chauvinistic and a bully. He gets his own way a lot of the time because he shouts very loudly and he’s known to be aggressive at times. Secondly, we are a little concerned about the direction of the programme and the reason I can talk to you about it is because I’ve already had this conversation with both Alan and Tom and it is, in fact, one of the reasons you were assigned to the show in the first place. Last weekend’s ratings were diabolical and I think we need to take urgent steps and make whatever changes are necessary. Thirdly, I will act as Executive Producer in the absence of Alan. I will give you my direct line, my mobile and home numbers so that you have access to me at all times and I am available to attend your weekly meetings. How does all that sound?’

  It sounded like more than she could have hoped for.

  They ran through her plans for the next show and he seemed very impressed at the line-up.

  ‘If that doesn’t win back a few viewers then nothing will. Well done.’

  ‘I also intend promoting the show more. From tomorrow we have promos on the hour on radio and TV kicks in tomorrow night as well. I’ve also “leaked” it to the papers that we have Colin Quinn and a couple of them have promised to hint at it on Saturday and give us the “pick of the day”.’

  ‘Great. And listen, I really appreciate you taking this on and we’ll look at somehow reflecting our appreciation in the form of a bonus of some kind.’ He stood up and walked her to the door. ‘By the way, I’ll speak to Tom at home tonight and tell him you have my full backing. Me being Executive Producer will keep him sweet but this is your project until we know how Alan is, so go for it and don’t hesitate to run things by me if you need another opinion.’

  It was six-thirty when Lindsay emerged and she felt shell-shocked, but for the first time in days she had something to look forward to and she knew this was exactly what she needed to keep her mind off her problems. She returned to the office and worked for another hour or so and then decided to call it quits. She felt lonely and would have loved to be able to tell Chris all about it. This was a big chance to develop her career and she had no one to share it with. Refusing to go any further down that road she picked up her bag and headed for home. In the car park she met Michael Russell.

  ‘Hi, stranger.’ He was still quite shy with her because of Tara. ‘You look a bit lost. Are you OK?’

  ‘Yeah, fine. It’s just been one of those days, you know?’

  ‘Well, I’m just on my way to collect Tara and treat her to a pizza and a glass of wine. Want to join us and tell me all about it?’

  ‘Oh, no, thanks, I couldn’t. I’m not much company tonight anyway.’

  ‘Well, I’d really love to chat to you, and Tara spends all our dates going on about how wonderful you are anyway,’ he grinned, ‘so, what’s the difference?’

  ‘I don’t know . . .’

  He sensed something was wrong and seized the opportunity.

  ‘Listen, leave your car here and come with me. We’ll drop you home. That way you can enjoy a few drinks. Hop in, I’m parked over here.’

  Before she knew what was happening she was being driven to collect Tara, who was thrilled and surprised when she saw her friend. ‘I’ve left you two messages today. What’s wrong with your mobile?’

  ‘I dunno, it doesn’t seem to be taking messages.’

  ‘What’s up? You look all in.’

  ‘I’ll tell you over a glass of wine, if you can bear to listen to an account of my day.’

  ‘Sure. Driver, take us to the restaurant.’

  In the end it turned out to be exactly what she needed. Once again her friends had saved the day. Michael whistled when she told him about her meeting with the Head of Programming.

  ‘Wow, Lindsay, that’s brilliant. But it’s happening very fast and you need to remember that it would be a big knock if it all came tumbling down. So do use Jonathan and run anything by him that you’re not sure of. That way, he has to take some responsibility. Don’t let him off the hook because if it goes well you can be sure he’ll take part of the credit.’

  ‘Yeah, I know, thanks.’

  ‘And listen, I’m available any time you need a second opinion. And I think you’ve done amazingly well so far. Congratulations.’

  Lindsay smiled and changed the subject, more relaxed than she’d been all day. Tara told her they were going for a weekend to Prague and Lindsay teased them about being a couple of lovebirds and they both blushed and grinned and she knew they were happy.

  ‘How’s Chris?’ Tara asked between mouthfuls of pizza.

  Lindsay was prepared.

  ‘I haven’t seen him. He’s in Paris. I’ve spoken to him, though, and he’s OK.’ It wasn’t really a lie, she consoled herself. She just wasn’t ready to tell them.

  They dropped her home at midnight and she realized she was a little bit drunk and so was Tara. They giggled and Michael thought they were hilarious. She was very glad she’d met them. She checked her mail and fell into bed, glad at least that Paul appeared to have given up ringing and leaving notes.

  Chapter Thirty-One

  ON THURSDAY THEY had a bit of a crisis. Lindsay was working away checking research briefs and questions, wanting everything to be perfect for Tom Watts, who had calmed down considerably since talking with Jonathan Myers. He chilled even further once Lindsay ran through the running order with him. He was delighted they had Colin Quinn, the man who was now providing Lindsay with her first real crisis.

  Alice had told Lindsay during the afternoon that his agent wasn’t returning her calls, always a bad sign. ‘I’m trying to confirm flights and find out if he needs a hotel but suddenly she became all vague and hasn’t responded to my messages this afternoon.’

  ‘What do you think is the problem?’

  ‘He’s filming somewhere near Mexico and they seem to be keeping a tight rein on him. I’m
just worried that they won’t finish on schedule and he might not make the connecting flights to get him here in time for the show.’

  ‘Want me to talk to the agent?’

  ‘Yes, it might just help. Thanks.’

  Lindsay made the call with some trepidation, knowing that some New York agents had little time for small TV shows in Europe, and especially those outside of London and the BBC. This one, however, was very pleasant and Lindsay liked her immediately.

  ‘Hey, Lindsay, nice to talk to you. How’s the weather in Ireland?’

  ‘Gorgeous, it’s a perfect weekend for an Irishman to come home.’ Lindsay decided to cut to the chase. ‘I just wondered if there was anything we could do for him, anyone he’d like to bring to the show, any special requests for his dressing room, etc.?’

  ‘No, to be honest, the movie company are giving me a lot of shit and that’s my priority right now. My other worry is his folks. He’s been trying to reach them but he’s in a very isolated location and there’s a storm brewing. I know he’s anxious to see as much of them as possible, but I can’t get hold of them so I don’t even know if they know he’s coming.’

  ‘Can I help? I could call them and invite them as our guests anyway, send a car to collect them, whatever?’

  Shirley, the agent, wasn’t buying it.

  ‘Lindsay, I know you really want him and I’ll do all I can, because I really think he could do with a trip home right now, but I’m afraid I’m not at liberty to give out his home number in Ireland.’

  Nice try, Lindsay, she thought to herself, hoping to somehow get to speak to his mother or father and put a bit of pressure on from this end.

  ‘I’ll tell you what, though, I will somehow get hold of them tonight and I’ll give them your number, if that’s OK, in case they want tickets or something, because one way or the other it’s going to be quite tight getting Colin there.’

  ‘OK, please do, I’ll be happy to help. Give them my mobile and tell them to call me anytime, if they need anything.’

  Alice and Lindsay went for tea in the canteen, treating themselves to lasagne and chips. Lindsay could only manage half of it but at least they were able to put their heads together and come up with a plan.

  They worked until nine o’clock and then had a pint on the way home. Lindsay arrived in exhausted at ten-thirty to find two messages from Alan. She got into her dressing gown, calmed a delirious Charlie and settled down to ring him back. They chatted for half an hour. He was still in hospital but hoping to go home the following morning. So far, they’d found nothing but it would take ten days before all results were back and he’d been ordered to rest. She assured him that all was OK, recounted part of her conversation with Jonathan Myers and agreed to talk to him the following day. Next up she dialled Debbie.

  ‘Hey babe, what’s happening? You’ve been avoiding me.’

  ‘No I haven’t, it’s just been manic.’ Lindsay told her about the show and Debbie was seriously impressed.

  ‘You, in charge, oh my God that is so cool. What sort of credit will you get? Producer?’

  ‘I haven’t even thought about it but no, I’m not a producer so I can’t call myself one. Besides it wouldn’t endear me to the producer grade. Honestly, I don’t care, I just want to prove I can do it.’ Suddenly her mobile rang so she hung up, promising to meet Debbie for breakfast on Sunday, once it was all over.

  The caller turned out to be Colin Quinn’s father and Lindsay was delighted.

  ‘Hello, my dear. Shirley asked me to call you. I was just wondering if I could possibly have four tickets for the show on Saturday?’ He sounded positively charming with no air of importance.

  ‘Yes, of course. Give me the names so that I can make sure you’re met and looked after.’

  ‘Well, it will be myself and my wife and then, well we tossed a coin, because we couldn’t decide which of our friends to invite, but in the end we decided on my sister and her husband, that’s Anne and Tom Tierney, because Colin is very fond of them. Is four too many to ask for?’

  ‘You can have as many as you like,’ Lindsay said simply.

  He sounded flabbergasted. ‘You mean we could have six?’

  ‘Certainly.’

  ‘But I know they’re like gold dust and I don’t want to be greedy.’

  ‘It’s no problem, honestly.’

  ‘And if he doesn’t make it home would we have to give them back? It’s just that my wife loves Tom Watts and wants to see him more than she does Colin.’ Lindsay burst out laughing. Typical mother.

  ‘Of course not. We’d love you all to be our guests, whether your son makes it or not. Now, would you like me to send our limo to collect you so that you can all relax and join us for a drink before the show?’

  He seemed amazed that anyone would be so nice to him and he agreed to call Lindsay the next day to finalize things. She didn’t like to ask for his home number after what Shirley had said.

  Next morning, Lindsay dragged herself out of bed and into the shower. She was in the office by eight-thirty. Alice had still not been able to book flights and she was getting very nervous. So was Lindsay, knowing she’d told the Saturday papers of their star guest. They’d look like right wallies if he didn’t show and it was getting close to the deadline if she wanted the papers to pull the story. Alice was beginning to wonder if she shouldn’t start looking for another guest just in case, but Lindsay knew they needed Colin Quinn badly. All the radio and TV promos had promised the ‘interview of the year’ and they had to deliver a major name. Two B-list celebrities wouldn’t do this time. Besides Tom Watts was really looking forward to this one and telling him didn’t bear thinking about, so Lindsay had kept quiet so far. No point in worrying him unnecessarily, she told herself. Still, it was almost lunchtime on Friday and they had no confirmation as yet.

  Just as they were about to make the tenth call to his agent, Lindsay’s mobile rang. It was Mr Quinn.

  ‘Miss Davidson, I just thought I’d give you our address. We’d all be delighted to accept your kind offer of a lift. My wife is very excited.’

  ‘Great, I’m looking forward to meeting you and please tell your wife that Tom would love to meet her after the show.’

  ‘I’m afraid that might be too much excitement for her right now. I have to live with her, you know.’ Mr Quinn laughed.

  ‘By the way, Colin left a message while we were at Mass to tell us not to worry that he was definitely coming home. He wanted his mum to cook roast beef for Sunday lunch and make an apple pie. So that will make tomorrow night really special for us, and I’m sure your viewers will enjoy him. He’s a lovely boy.’

  ‘I’m sure they will and thank you so much for the call. I look forward to meeting you all tomorrow evening.’

  Lindsay hung up and punched the air. ‘Yes,’ she grinned at Alice, ‘we’ve got him.’

  Jonathan Myers dropped in unexpectedly late that afternoon and the office was a hive of activity. Lindsay was buried in paperwork, the researchers were all tying up last-minute details and Tom Watts had his feet up on his desk reading everything on Colin Quinn.

  ‘Just checking, how’s it all looking for tomorrow night?’ He strolled over to Lindsay and Tom Watts immediately intercepted him.

  ‘Great. It’s all under control. It’s going to be a good show. Fancy a coffee?’

  ‘I’m due at an editorial in ten minutes so I’ll pass, but I might drop in tomorrow night after the show so you could buy me a beer then?’

  ‘Sure, great.’

  ‘Lindsay, all OK from your end?’

  ‘Yes thanks, we’re getting there. I’m just looking forward to waking up on Sunday morning and watching it all over again in my pyjamas.’

  ‘You’re a glutton for punishment. Don’t forget to call me at home if there are any problems. And good luck.’

  Somehow, Lindsay didn’t think they’d need it. Shirley had just confirmed flights for Colin Quinn and barring an earthquake it was going to be great.


  Chapter Thirty-Two

  AS SOON AS she woke on Saturday morning Lindsay hopped out of bed, pulled on some sloppy clothes and went to buy the papers, grateful once again to be busy and able to push her own thoughts away. Sure enough they’d got a couple of mentions and were the ‘pick of the day’ in the two main ones, which should definitely help their ailing figures.

  She took Charlie for a walk but found herself thinking about Chris. She knew she’d half expected to hear from him. Surely he couldn’t just leave things as they were? She missed him so much. Suddenly, she began thinking about what might have been so she cut the walk short and returned a sullen-looking animal to the garden in under half an hour. Without stopping for breakfast she showered and dressed in her soft dark grey DKNY trousers, funky white T-shirt and pale grey cashmere wrap-around cardigan, which had cost a fortune but was soft, clingy and emphasized her waist and boobs.

  She applied her make-up carefully, wanting to look young, yet authoritative, and at the last minute she decided to call and have her hair blow-dried on the way to work.

  She bought a couple of healthy snacks and some fruit juice in case she didn’t get lunch and was still first to arrive in the office, a good two hours before rehearsals, just in case there were any last-minute panics.

  The day passed off smoothly enough, with the Latin heart-throb keeping everybody entertained during the soundcheck – especially the females. He was almost too good-looking with black eyes, and legs that went on forever, clad in painted-on leather trousers that left nothing to the imagination. He smiled and teased, leaving Lindsay in no doubt that his performance on the night would be brilliant. They had spiked the audience with teenagers, all carefully chosen fans, so he should get a rowdy Irish welcome, Lindsay hoped.

  The day flew. Alan telephoned and wished her luck and told her it felt funny to be at home watching TV on a Saturday evening. He’d finally told his girlfriend the news so at least she was with him.