THE STORM AFTER THE CALM CONTINUES

 
Chapter 3

Meredith rounded the corner and slipped into her place. The camera lights were still at red, showing that she wasn’t on air yet. Jim, the jack of all trades, came over and hooked her up with her earpiece before handing her the clicker she used to switch screens.
She was all set and ready to go. Joanna, the early morning news presenter, wound up her latest news cast and began to introduce Meredith. Meredith heard her countdown begin and took a deep breath. Smiling and ready she launched into her weather forecast.
“Thank you Joanna. I’m afraid you’re correct; the rain is with us all day, right across the country. Throughout the day there’s not much change but by late afternoon and into the evening there will be high winds and even some stormy conditions in the North. There are a few weather warnings in place for this evening so check your local news for the areas affected. Overnight the rain continues and unfortunately stays with us again
tomorrow. The winds will have died down a bit by then but it will still be very blustery and along with the rain this will make conditions quite unpleasant, so take care if you’re driving in those high winds. And that’s all from me for now. Back to you Joanna.”
“Thank you, Meredith.” Joanna turned back to her screen, allowing Meredith to slip quietly off to the side. It was time she had another coffee, she decided. She’d been at work for just over an hour but was still feeling tired. She headed for the canteen, but not before stopping off at her dressing room to change out of the killer heels and into something more comfortable. She couldn’t walk properly in high heels; never had been able to master it and things were even worse now since she’d had over a year of wearing sensible shoes all
the time. With her feet and legs now feeling much better, she headed along the corridor and entered the canteen through the automatic double doors.
The canteen was buzzing, a change from earlier although there were usually plenty
of people around because the building never closed. They even made some dramas and
documentaries in the studios. Meredith bumped into the odd well known actor or actress
now and again but never really had time to chat for long. She made her way to the counter,
scanning the tables as she went for a familiar face. Spotting Alice at a table way off in the
corner, Meredith began to wav e to attract her attention. Alice was a news presenter and it
wasn’t often their paths crossed at work. She hadn’t seen so much of Alice since she’d had
Jenny but she was really looking forward to their get together on Saturday.
Alice eventually realised Meredith was waving and patted the empty seat beside her
by way of a greeting. Meredith ordered a double shot latte and made her way toward the
table, setting down her coffee before she flopped down in the chair.
“It’s good to see you,” Meredith told her friend.
The two women had been friends since Meredith had first joined the news team at
Channel 7. Alice had shown Meredith around and introduced her to everyone and
followed that through by always popping up whenever Meredith had been at a loss. It was
an uncanny knack she had. They’d become very firm friends over the years and Meredith
was truly glad to see her.
“You too.” Alice grinned. “Where have you been all week?”
“Oh, you know second week back and still trying to find my feet again so there
wasn’t much time for coffee breaks.”
“Yeah, I know the feeling. It’s Wednesday already and this is the first day I’ve
managed to have a coffee break this week. Anyway, enough about that. Tell me all about
that beautiful baby of yours. How are you coping?”
“Well, up until last week it was fine but working and having a family is not easy,
especially when I have to be up at three-thirty, but Jenny is an absolute delight; she makes
it all worthwhile.”
“Hmmm, you do look a bit tired but apart from that you’re looking great. You’ve
nearly got rid of your tummy already and almost back to your normal size. You should be
very proud.”
Meredith wasn’t sure what to make of her friends comments. She knew Alice
would never be deliberately cruel but it definitely sounded like a back handed compliment.
“How’s your lot anyway,” Meredith asked Alice in an effort to change the subject.
Meredith didn’t really feel up to taking any more criticism about her appearance.
“Oh the usual. Boys will be boys. The three of them are at school now and I
thought that would give me more time to myself but it seems to be working in the opposite
way. I’m tied down to their timetable. The joys,” Alice moaned.
“You wouldn’t be without them,” Meredith laughed.
“No, you’re right, I wouldn’t, but it doesn’t stop me feeling a bit overwhelmed
sometimes.”
“I’m beginning to understand what you mean.” Meredith laughed again as she rose
from her seat. “Anyway, I’d better get back. I’ve hardly worked at all this morning. I slept
in and then it just seems like one thing after another. Will you be here at the same time
tomorrow?”
“I’ll do my best but you know how it is. If some new story breaks….” Alice
shrugged and smiled up at Meredith.
“Okay, hopefully see you tomorrow.”
As Meredith was walking back along the corridor, head down and lost in thoughts
about her weight she collided with Celia, knocking the papers Celia had been carrying on
the floor.
“Oh, excuse me,” Meredith apologised and bent to help Celia pick them up. “I’m
really sorry. I don’t know what’s wrong with me today. I’ve got my head in the clouds.”
“Among your feet more like from what I could see. You okay?” Celia asked,
furrowing her brow and looking Meredith straight in the eye.
“I’m fine. Just a hectic week, you know how it is.”
“Yeah, it’s bad enough without adding a baby in to the mix. How is she; the baby I
mean?”
“Oh, an absolute angel, although she has her moments.”
“You’re looking well, if a bit tired. That hair of yours is so lovely and thick, although
it must be difficult to maintain,” Celia commented while reaching out and pulling at the
ends of Meredith’s hair.
Meredith couldn’t believe what she was hearing. What is it with everybody
criticising my appearance? she raged. It’s not as if they’re all perfect.
“I like it the way it is. Sorry, I have to run,” Meredith snapped as she took off along
the corridor and headed back to the dressing room, leaving Celia with a puzzled frown.
It wasn’t like Meredith to snap at anyone. Celia decided it must just be the stresses
of new parenthood getting to Meredith and she’d talk to her properly about it next time
she saw her. Celia had no time to run after her to find out what she was so upset about.
She had to get going to her interview with Gary Maters, the latest soap heart throb.

Chapter 4

Safely back in her dressing room with the door firmly shut, Meredith stood in front
of the full length mirror again, pulling at her clothes and trying to straighten out her long
black hair. She removed her heavy-rimmed, black glasses, even though she knew it was
pointless. Her eyesight was poor and her contact lens trial had been a disaster. She’d felt
as though she had golf balls in her eyes all day, every day. The optician had said she would
get used to them but after a month of blood shot, streaming eyes that any self-respecting
zombie would have been proud of, she’d given up. Looking at herself in the mirror
without her glasses on was useless. All she could see was a blurred shape with no features,
although she did look thinner. Putting her glasses back on, she checked the time on her
wristwatch. Shit, two minutes to go, she thought and ran out the door, heading along the
corridor at a half run. She should have been in place by now. As she slipped into her spot,
she realised she’d forgotten to change her shoes and was still wearing her old, comfortable
pumps. Oh well, too late now. Hopefully the camera woman won’t do any full length
shots, she silently prayed.
“Thanks again Joanna. Sorry, but no better news for you. I wish I could brighten it
up but I don’t control the weather. I just tell it like it is,” Meredith joked with the breakfast
show presenter before turning to the camera.
“Sorry to be the badder of bear news, I mean the bearer of bad news, excuse me.”
Meredith felt heat rising in her cheeks and was grateful for the extra layer of powder the
stylist had applied. “The rain is with us all day, light across the countly – I mean right –
across – the – country. Sorry folks, think I’ve got my mum’s teeth in today.” Meredith tried
to make light of her mistakes but felt herself becoming even more flustered. What am I on
about? she thought. My mum’s teeth!!! Good grief, what will the viewer’s think? Taking
a deep breath she started again and smiled at the camera. “The rain will be with us all day
and for most of tomorrow. By this evening there will be high winds and even some stormy
sonditions in the North, or conditions even.” Meredith couldn’t believe this was
happening. She’d made the odd mistake in the past but not fluffing every sentence. Her
tongue felt as though it was double the size it should be and she was having difficulty
forming words. She took a deep breath and held it for a moment before starting over.
“There are a few weather warnings in place for this evening, particularly in the North of
England and Southern Scotland so check your local news for the areas affected. Tomorrow
the winds will have died down a bit but it will still be very blustery and, along with the rain,
driving conditions will be hazardous, so don’t drive unless you have to and if you do have
to, take care. And that’s all from me for now. Back to you Joanna.”
Meredith flew off set as soon as the camera light turned red, signalling that she was
no longer being filmed, feeling very embarrassed and relieved at the same time. That was
a dreadful experience; she was thinking as she wondered for the hundredth time what on
earth was wrong with her today. Reaching her dressing room, she stepped inside,
slamming the door shut behind her before sitting down, putting her head in her hands and
staying like that for the next five minutes. She wished the ground would swallow her up
and wondered what the comments on face book and twitter would be tonight, not to
mention the ribbing she would probably get from her colleagues. That was the worst
about being well known. Every mistake became public knowledge. Even her mum would
probably phone tonight to ask if she was okay.
Once she’d calmed down a bit she lifted her head just as someone knocked on the
door. She rose to answer it, trying to compose herself when the person on the other side of
the door called her name.
“Are you in there, Meredith?”
“Oh lord, it’s Amanda. Just what I don’t need right now.” Meredith muttered
quietly. Amanda was Meredith’s supervisor and a hard task master, although always fair.
Meredith took a deep breath and opened the door, knowing she was about to be quizzed
about her performance.
“Hi, Amanda. Come in.”
“Thanks Meredith. I suppose you’ve an idea why I’m here.”
“My bungling through that last forecast, I presume,” Meredith said, putting her
head down and staring at the floor. All I need now is a bollocking from the boss. Great,
she mused.
“Just wanted to know you were okay. It’s not like you. You’re usually so
professional.” Amanda looked at Meredith quizzically, clearly expecting some sort of
explanation.
“I’m sorry. It’s just been a difficult couple of weeks getting back in to the swing of
things after such a long time away. I’ll be fine.”
“I hope so, but I’ve asked Deborah to do the seven o’clock slot and to remain on
standby until nine. It’ll give her a little experience and you a little break. Go get yourself a
coffee or something and chill out for the next hour. I’ll try to drop by again just before the
seven thirty slot to see how you’re doing.” With that Amanda walked out the door, leaving
Meredith panicking as well as furious.
Deborah was fairly new and learning the ropes, but Meredith disliked her intensely.
At the last Christmas party, Meredith had been forced to tell Deborah to back off when
she’d taken a shine to Sam and didn’t seem the slightest bit bothered that he was married.
Sam had been clueless as to what Deborah was up to, or so he’d said. He’d thought she
was just being friendly, but hanging round his neck every time Meredith’s back was turned
wasn’t being friendly in Meredith’s book. It was flirting and very disrespectful as far as she
was concerned and she’d reprimanded Sam for allowing it to happen. He was all blonde,
floppy curls, bright blue eyes and gorgeous and Meredith wondered why he wouldn’t have
understood what was going on when the same thing must have happened to him loads of
times over the years. She suspected he’d been enjoying the attention and was just as
annoyed at him as she’d been at Deborah. Since then she’d avoided Deborah as much as
possible and intended to continue doing so.
Meredith flopped down into the chair and let her head fall backwards, letting out a
sigh through pursed lips. This day was going from bad to worse and she doubted that
another coffee would help. The double shot latte had been a mistake. Her nerves were
jangling inside her body, although she suspected that was as much from embarrassment at
making such a mess of things and anger at Deborah stealing her job out from under her as
it was the coffee. Okay, so Deborah wasn’t exactly stealing her job, but she would certainly
gloat on this for a while and make a point of mentioning it every time she spoke to
Meredith for the next few months. Meredith groaned and went back to studying herself in
the mirror. Deborah’s hair wasn’t untameable; it was long, red and curly, and she had that
young woman’s voluptuous type of figure where everything looked ripe and her curves
were curves, not lumps and bumps that had to be hidden underneath carefully chosen
clothes. Meredith couldn’t hope to compete, but until this moment she hadn’t thought
she would have to.
Sitting back down whilst still pulling at the ends of her hair, she decided that
instead of feeling sorry for herself a little action was required. She pulled her mobile from
her jacket pocket and phoned Chloe. Chloe answered after the second ring.
“Hi Meredith, she’s fine. She’s sleeping just now. She seemed a little tired this
morning,” Chloe said, assuming that Meredith was just phoning to check on Jenny as
usual.
“That’s great Chloe but I also wanted to ask if you could possibly do a couple of
hour’s overtime today? I need to go to the hairdressers and get a bit of shopping. Would
that be okay?”
“Sure, no problem. I hadn’t any other plans so I might as well earn a little extra.
What time can I expect you?”
“Around three okay?”
“No probs.”
“Thanks Chloe, you’re a star. See you around three but any problems just call.”
“Okay, see you then.”
Meredith ended the call and then phoned the Mairi, the hairdresser, hoping she
would be able to fit her in at such short notice. Mairi said they’d had a cancellation at
quarter to one if that was any good. Meredith said that would be fine, even though she
knew she would have to rush a bit to make it on time. She didn’t finish work until twelvethirty
and taking the car would take even longer as she would have to find a parking space
in town. She’d decided to wear her heels if she was going to be trying on clothes because
they tended to smooth out her lumps and bumps a little, but didn’t relish the thought of
hurrying into town in them. In the end she decided to take the heels in her handbag and
wear the pumps to walk into town.

Chapter 5

The rest of the morning went as planned. Meredith went back on air at seven thirty and managed not to get tongue tied. The eight, eight-thirty and nine o’clock slots went just
as smoothly, but Meredith was glad to be done with that side of things. For the next couple
of hours she immersed herself in her charts and maps, an aspect of her job that she really
enjoyed. The clock eventually rolled around to twelve thirty. Gathering up her things, she
made her usual checks to make sure she hadn’t left anything behind, like her mobile phone or car keys, and headed for the main door.
It had been a long morning and Meredith was relieved to be out of the building and into the fresh air. She made it to the salon at twelve forty-five on the button. Ten minutes
later she was seated in front of the mirrors, hair soaking wet and waiting for Mairi to make
an appearance. A couple of minutes later Mairi breezed through from the back shop looking like a million dollars as usual. Meredith wondered how Mairi managed to
maintain her look throughout the day. She always looked as fresh at the end of the day as
she did at the beginning.
“Hi Meredith, so what’s the emergency? You were only here a couple of weeks
ago,” Mairi said.
“I just fancy a change.” Meredith looked at Mairi in the mirror.
“Don’t tell me you want to cut it short!” Mairi looked horrified.
“No, no, nothing so drastic. I thought maybe some layers to make it look a bit thinner. What do you think?”
“Layers will probably make your hair look thicker, Meredith. I know it sounds odd but people with thin hair get layers - not people with hair like yours. How about we give
you some intense conditioning treatment and maybe try a side parting instead of the middle?”
“No, I definitely want layers,” Meredith said assertively. After thinking about it for a
few seconds she’d decided she needed to take control of her own look and stop letting everyone tell her what to do.
“Really Meredith, it won’t work out.” Mairi stared at her in the mirror, willing her to change her mind.
“That’s what I want.” Meredith reiterated determinedly.
“Okay, it’s you hair,” Mairi sighed and picked up the comb to make a start.
An hour later Meredith surveyed herself in the salon mirror. She felt like she’d spent the whole day looking at herself in mirrors. At least this time I’m reasonably
pleased with what I see, she thought. Her hair looked a little thinner and she wondered why Mairi had told her it would look the opposite.
“It does look thinner Mairi?” Meredith said, a question in her tone as she turned her head from side to side to get a better look.
“That’s because I’ve flattened it down and teased it into submission. It will be okay if you have an hour or so to spend on it every morning,” shrugged Mairi. “But with your
job and a baby to look after I don’t know where you’ll find the time.”
“It will be fine. Thanks Mairi. I really like it. How much do I owe you?”
After paying her bill and leaving a tip for the young woman who’d washed her hair,Meredith stepped out of the salon and was hit on the right side of her face with a gale force
wind. She’d forgotten the forecast was for high winds. Not exactly the best day to get a
fancy new hair-do, she cursed silently. Turning left toward the shops she wanted to visit,
she felt the wind lift her hair skyward. A young boy walking past in the opposite direction
holding on to his younger sibling’s pushchair stared at Meredith as she passed. His sibling
in the pushchair also stared and then their mother joined in. People could be so rude
Meredith thought. Just because she was on the telly everyone thought they could just peer
at her unabashed. Unknown to Meredith, her hair was spiralling upward with the wind,
making her look like Medusa with long black snakes climbing out of her head. The baby in
the pushchair started to cry. Meredith tutted to herself at the family’s rudeness and
hurried on by, ducking into the first ladies dress shop she came to for some shelter from
the wind.
Once inside Meredith took a deep breath and patted at her hair, hoping the wind
hadn’t ruined it too much. She began to browse the rails of clothes the shop had on offer.
The variety was good but she decided that most of them just wouldn’t suit her figure.
Choosing a few items; a skirt, a couple of tops, a blouse and a couple of shift dresses in
different colours, she headed to the changing rooms. At least this shop has individual
cubicles, she noted as she walked through the entryway to the well-lit changing area. She
wasn’t so keen on those communal ones at the best of times and particularly not the way
she was feeling today. Ensconcing herself in a cubicle and pulling the badly fitting curtain
across she turned to look in the full length mirror and inhaled sharply at the sight before
her. Her hair was triangular shaped. The shorter layers stuck out all around her head. The
longer lengths were straggly and curly, sticking out below the rest as though they were
badly done extensions. She rummaged in her bag for a hairbrush. Pulling it out she began
to aggressively brush her hair in short, sharp strokes, making small noises of protest as the
brush tugged on the tangles the wind had caused, but all she succeeded in doing was
frizzing the ends and emphasising the Chinese ‘coolie hat’ effect.
After ten minutes of desperate effort to tame the frizzy mess that her hair had
become, Meredith gave up. She’d just have to find a wash room, dampen it down a bit and
hope for the best until she got home. Checking the time for what seemed like the millionth
time that day, she realised the time spent trying to sort out her hair meant she only had
about forty five minutes left to choose some new clothes and get home. All the items she’d
chosen were a size larger than she normally wore and it quickly became clear that they
were too big. The skirt was falling down, the shoulder seams on the tops were half way
down her arms and one of the shift dresses made her look as though she was still pregnant.
The plain navy shift dress looked better but was still too large. Taking her heels from her
bag, she slipped them on and shifted her body from side to side, craning to look at herself
from behind before finally deciding to purchase the dress, thinking that it might look
better when she was being filmed. Apparently being filmed made people look about
fourteen pounds heavier than they actually were.
Decision made, Meredith headed for the check-out, paid using her credit card and
then asked the assistant if they had a wash room. The assistant looked apologetic when
she said they didn’t. Meredith’s heart sank at the thought of going outside looking like a
dark haired Myrtle Snow from the ‘Coven’. Putting her card back in her purse, she lifted
the bag containing her new dress and turned toward the door. Through the window she
could see the steady drizzle from earlier had turned into a downpour and the winds were
stopping people from being able to walk completely upright. She thought the rain might at
least dampen her hair down a bit but wasn’t looking forward to the walk back to the
Channel 7 car park to collect her car. She wondered if she might have time to pop in to the little coffee shop a few doors down until the rain let up a bit and maybe use their washroom, but realised she only had half an hour left to get home. There was nothing else for it but to brave the elements.

More to come...