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Blazing Success

By: EgmontGrigor2011



CHAPTER 1

Redman Gallagher and wife Drew kept putting off the decision but finally the twins pressed them for the verdict: Who would go on to college.

The parents argued, shouted, slammed doors and swore at each other.

"You'll be going to college Danny," said his sister. "Dad will wear mom down."

"But Blaze that's not fair. You are my academic superior and dad and mom have to admit that."

"To misquote, nothing is fair in love and war. We agreed not to negotiate with them and to accept their decision Danny."

"But you know dad favors me getting my degree in engineering design to work my way up in the company where he's a draftsman."

"Yes and what's so wrong with that? I'm supposed to graduate high school and go out and work and meet a rich guy eventually who'll support me while I sit at home and sew and read books."

"Yeah living mom's dream instead of being a cashier in the café like she has been for fifteen years."

Their mom came out of the dining room looking exhausted and crying.

"Go to your father please," she sobbed.

Their dad could capably act the role of tough guy and didn't mince words.

"You mother and I regret this decision but I feel we have no choice," he said. "Blaze I'm sorry but Danny goes to college."

"That's fine daddy. One of us was always going to lose."

She ran from the room and locked herself in her bedroom and began phoning her college-bound friends. High school graduation was seven months away.

The day after graduation Drew Gallagher went to her daughter's bedroom to find why Blaze (named Pansy at birth) had not answered the call to breakfast. She ran back to the kitchen waving a piece of paper and cried, "She's gone. She left to catch the night bus coming through at 5:00."

Hands shaking, Redman read out the note:

'Dear family. It's time to say goodbye. I'm off to make a career for myself. I'll be in touch, sooner or later. Thanks for everything guys. Actually mom and dad you made the right choice by sending Danny to college. He'd find it harder to make a success out in the big world alone than I will. Study hard and successfully Danny; mom watch your diet and dad stop drinking so heavily. Bye. I love you all. Blaze.'

"She's one tough female," Danny said. His father nodded and her mother wept.

* * *

A little over two years later Blaze graduated with an online associate degree in basic journalism while working in Minneapolis as a personal trainer in a leading women's gym. She was thoroughly conversant with all the programs the gym delivered to promote women's health and fitness training and dieting and had continued with swimming to build stamina.

Eight weeks later she was called to Chicago a few days after applying for a magazine writer's job on women's fitness and health.

The editor was almost rude to her.

"We don't recognize an associate degree in journalism, regarding a bachelor's as our minimum standard. Why you are being considered is because your involvement in fitness and women's health is rather impressive. Frankly you are the outstanding applicant for the position."

"Then hire me."

Mrs Curtis frowned and said that was rather impertinent.

Blaze made no effort to apologize.

The editor looked at her thoughtfully. "Give me one top reason why this magazine should hire you."

"Because as a writer I'd fit your readership profile. I've noted 27% of your readership falls in the 14-24 age group. That's exceptionally high and reflects the growing trend of younger people, principally females, to prefer power exercise and good nutrition over fad dieting including bad dieting like eating practically nothing."

Rachel Curtis worried about her 24-year old daughter's appalling eating habits, knew only too well was this young woman was on about. She said she couldn't fault that response as a persuasive answer.

"Look read our latest issue about to be distributed while I check with the group editor."

Fergus Hamill listened to Rachel present her dilemma about hiring this applicant who appeared to have everything going for her apart from the required level of education.

"Yeah well ask yourself why we have minimum standards."

"I have and that's why I'm here. It's rare for me to throw a recruitment poser at you."

"True and so handle it. Break the rule and go with instinct if that's how you see it. I must go; I'm late for a meeting."

"Thanks," Rachel said and almost added 'for nothing' but returning to her floor she realized that Fergus had steered her into the decision she should make. She entered the office and the attractive shorthaired blonde looked up.

Rachel smiled and asked, "When can you start?"

Drew Gallagher raced out to meet her husband who on the drive home had diverted to pick up Danny from college swimming training.

"Mom looks excited, she must be pregnant."

"Jesus Danny," snapped his startled father.

"Blaze is on her way home!" Drew yelled. "She'll stay three nights before starting a new job in Chicago as a magazine writer."

Drew soon had the two guys aware that no it wasn't a trashy women's magazine as Redman had alleged. It was an influential magazine on personal living options and she'd be making two contributions for each monthly issue on fitness and nutrition plus assorted articles as assigned. Her pay as a new-start writer would be $33,000 plus annual bonus. Also she'd enrolled to convert her two-year degree into a four-year degree in media communications and might even continue another year for a master's.

The guys were impressed.

For two years Blaze had emailed her mother weekly and called once a month so they'd been aware she was safe and knew what she was doing. They had all gone to the airport to greet her early flight that morning and only Drew recognized her. Initially the guys wondered why Drew was yelling while running to a sweet looking blonde with a great body.

"Jesus," said her twin while her father was more genteel with, "Wow is that my daughter?"

* * *

'Slick Living Magazine' had five other staff writers, all female, and a dozen contributing writers. Still three months away from her 21st birthday, Blaze was the youngest on the payroll by nine years.

Those older people gawked at the racy-looking blonde in a forest green designer-copy dress. Only the fashion editor was better dressed and she smiled approvingly at Blaze. 

Editor Curtis told Blaze to call her Rachel and took her around introducing her to the twenty-one people who worked in the office who included sub-editors, layout designers, computer graphic artists, general production people and advertising and accounts personnel. The magazine operated as a self-supporting unit to the point of printing in a complex business that including two radio a TV station, five regional community newspapers and nine magazines.

Blaze spent the first two days reading the office manual, reading articles in the computer archives of recent copies and talking to other people about what they did to familiarize herself with the magazine operation. Three issues were in various stages of production and on Blaze's third day she attended a meeting chaired by Rachel with the other five writers attending plus the chief sub-editor Gloria who was also the magazine's deputy-editor.

Blaze had picked up quite good knowledge of what was involved in an editorial planning meeting from her studies. But she found being in the room during a planning meeting was far more interesting that descriptive detail gleaned from study papers because of all of the interaction that at times became somewhat heated.

"Now Blaze your two assignments," said Rachel. "We have cooking pages of course, heaps of them, but we've not covered nutrition before so the field is wide open for you. Can you tell us what you'll write about?"

"Bananas."

"Pardon me?" Rachel said, lifting her head sharply.

"I'll write about the wonder food for people who care for their bodies. There are many such foods and so I'll start with bananas."

Rachel smiled, "Oh I'd thought you were telling me to go bury my head."

Everyone laughed loudly.

"Oh no, if that were my intention I wouldn't have been that obscure," Blaze said and people looked startled but Rachel chuckled.

"And what about fitness?"

"I'll begin at the beginning with walking and include the latest in research findings and opinion and well-reasoned tips from experts. It will be probably a three-part series covering walking generally, techniques and finally clothing and footwear and choosing terrain."

"Gosh I hadn't realized walking could be approached in such a complicated way," said the over-weight Gloria.

"Everything we do is somewhat complicated," Blaze said lightly, and a couple of the women nodded.

"Well obviously our youngest team member by far is out to keep us on our toes," Rachel said with an intended pun and people laughed politely but looked at Blaze as if wondering could the flashy-looking kid with her fearless manner deliver or was it all mouth?

Blaze knew she could produce both articles with one hand tied behind her back although in both cases she would look on the web for latest information and talk to nationally recognized experts for both articles.

Mid-afternoon Rachel called Blaze to her office.

"Hi am I fired already?"

Blaze then saw a guy stand up and heard Rachel say, "Blaze has a rather irrepressible spirit Fergus."

"Oh hi Mr Hamill."

"You know me?" he said in surprise.

"No but you are the corporation's group editor and feature on the corporation's website and are the person who'll tick off my future salary increases and bonuses."

He smiled and held out his hand to shake and said welcome to the company and it was great to have someone about who appeared to be bright with a little fire.

"Yes it would appear great providing you are on the right side of me."

He grinned. Rachel looked appalled.

"Your name. I can't image a mother choosing to call her daughter Blaze."

"Oh very good. Actually thanks to mom I was called Pansy but at eight I rebelled."

"Pansy? Yes I can imagine how unsuitable that would seem for you and how you rebelled and went to the other extreme and chose Blaze. I had thought Blaze would be more suited to a redhead."

"Give me time Mr Hamill. Colors can change."

He laughed and invited Blaze to call him Fergus. "I regret not rebelling over my name."

"I find it much more acceptable than Pansy but of course I'm not the one pinned with it. Have you anything you wish to ask or may I go? I have a call to a Dr Eric Goss who may call me between lectures and..."

"No there is nothing else. I just wished to meet you wondering what a young woman called Blaze would look like. I didn't wish to be rude and stare at you from a distance. Rachel has good vibes about you. I find I now possess similar feeling."

"Why thank you. I'll work to not disappoint. Bye Fergus. Rachel should I send Louise in with coffee?"

"Yes please."

When Blaze had left the room Rachel said, "Obviously she hit you with a thump."

"And what makes you think that?"

"Only Gloria and I in this department call you Fergus."

"Well yes but both of us have a feeling about that young girl don't we?"

"God she really has hit on you."

"Shhh Rachel. I don't wish your outrageous allegations to reach the ears of my wife."

"Omigod. You are thinking about her as the inaugural editor of 'Undeniably Young Magazine'?"

"Actually the planning team yesterday opted for a name change to 'Celebrating Youth Magazine'."

"Oh great, that's an improved title Fergus. I had advised in feedback that the word 'undeniably' is an ugly word and has negative connotations."

"Yes and you were not alone in that thinking and that's why we invite feedback on our initiatives. Where's the fucking coffee?"

"Patience please, here's Louise now."

"Good. Please bring our prospective editor along as fast as you can. I'll need her involved in planning in two months from now if her potential becomes apparent by then otherwise we'll look elsewhere."

"And I have to find a replacement."

"Yes it's tough being an editor isn't it?"

The young office assistant entering said, "Good afternoon Mr Hamill."

"Oh hi Louise."

The receptionist looked startled that the boss editor knew her name.

* * *

Blaze Gallagher was introduced to readers inside the cover of 'Racy Living Magazine' as a new staff writer with pointers to her two contributions. Other people in the office had already congratulated her for the readability of her features. At Rachel's request Blaze had researched and updated a main feature article on eating disorders of the young and had almost completed a follow-up on eating disorders of the elderly.

Rachel invited Blaze to her home for a Sunday lunch with her husband and daughter Pru and Rachel had started a conversation about healthy eating.

Pru had stood and asked to be excused, saying the conversation was making her feel sick.

"Sit down Pru," Blaze ordered that the startled woman sat down before her brain had called "Rebel.

"You can't order me around like that in my own home."

Blaze motioned to Rachel to stay out of it.

"Pru I'm sorry. Obviously I've been set-up being invited here because I know a lot about nutrition. But listen, I've noticed you have eaten virtually nothing and if you eat the same way over breakfast and will only pick at dinner you are long-term doing irreparable harm to you body although your mind rejects such comment when people tell you that."

"If you say so."

"Pru do you wish to marry one day and have children?"

"Yes."

"Would you accept that if you continue to starve your body like you are doing now there's a chance that your expected child will die in the womb?"

Pru burst into tears and Rachel, tears in her eyes, said, "Omigod, you can't tell her that."

"I just did Rachel. Please stay out of this."

"Pru I'm just an everyday 20-year old. You'll know more than I do about most things but I know about body and nutrition. I can't force you to change but I can give you information that could change the way you think about yourself and that could change your eating habits for the better. If you accept me as your adviser I promise you there is no way you'll get fat. You'll just become fit and healthy and LOOK fit and healthy. At present you look almost unwell, with an unhealthy pallor. You must know how you look. I want you to join the gym I go to and it's not far from here. I suggest you and join me there three mornings a week at 7:00."

"Then you'll have breakfast at the gym with me and eat what I say. And then for the rest of the day what you eat or don't eat is your choice, at least initially. This is only the start. Eventually we will meet at the gym twice a week and go on runs three a week or swim when the weather deteriorates. What is your response to that?"

Pru looked confused and finally said, "Yes I will try to do what you ask. I want to bear healthy babies."

Blaze said, "Good. So it's gym from this Saturday. I'll book you in for your assessment."

"Yes."

"But tomorrow morning I shall arrive here in running gear and we'll go on our first walk-jog together, right."

Pru nodded firmly and said yes.

"And I have your word on that?"

"Yes absolutely."

"Good girl. Now let's talk about sex or if that's too radical then let's discuss films."

By the time the update on eating disorders of the young was published, Pru was eating with great self-control and the walk-jog routine had become all jogging and at the gym she was on her fixed cycle as long as Blaze was and was working out on light weights and loving it.

"God I feel good," she'd told Blaze only yesterday.

Blaze had gone out to dinner with Pru and her charming accountant boyfriend Jerry and the next time they went out together Jerry brought along Steve, a pal from his office, and suddenly Blaze had a guy she liked, breaking a long sequence of duds that she'd forged into dates herself.

Life had become good for Blaze. She was now writing a major feature in each issue and whispers in the office about Blaze possessing only a 2-year degree (stated on her web-page profile on the magazine's website) had long been buried by the accolades she was receiving.

She went home for her 21st birthday and told her very impressed parents that it was likely she'd complete her two-year studies inside eighteen months. She and her twin brother were so happy to be reunited again.

"And what about romance?" asked her mom. "You never talk about it."

"His name in Steve."

"Ah Blaze and Steve, that sounds good together."

"Mom it's not THAT serious," Blaze protested.

* * *

Rachel arrived at Blaze's desk and said, "Please down tools and come with me."

They went up seven floors to the executive meeting room where Fergus, who was alone, said hi to Rachel and kissed Blaze.

"Are you aiming to seduce me?"

Rachel looked horrified. Fergus just smiled and said, "I've had good reports about you, very good reports. That greeting was a congratulatory kiss."

"Thanks. May I go now, I have work to do?"

"Sit down please ladies. Now while this unedited DVD video is running I'll pour coffee."

The film introduced the planning group, showed then at meetings, and then ran through story-board presentations that outlined the concepts of a new magazine code named 'Fergie's Mag for the Young.'

The DVD ended with a team meeting where the name for the magazine was to be decided.

"I believe 'Undeniably Young Magazine' has a quality ring to it," said the director of group advertising.

"Oh god," Blaze cried.

The debate over name continued with Fergus entering to join in discussion. Finally he asked were they are agreed to changing the name to 'Celebrating Youth Magazine' and they all smiled and said yes.

"Oh god," Blaze groaned. "What a patronizing name."

Rachel nodded to Blaze when she found Fergus wasn't looking.

Fergus switched the electric motors on to roll up the blinds. "And what's wrong with that name?" he asked, appearing a little rattled.

"It's so patronizing, obviously coined by a committee of older people.

"Then what do you suggest?"

"Give me a moment," she said, walking to the windows to look out at the cityscape.

"I'm sorry Fergus, on of Blaze's qualities is her ability to be challenging."

"She's a fucking tough bitch that's all. I don't want her tamed."

Blaze returned. "The best I can do is to borrow from film and music, 'Forever Young Magazine'."

"Omigod Fergus, it has that timeless quality magazine tittles must have and the word 'young' signals where in the marketplace the magazine is positioned."

"I agree and also it's ambivalent about young as an age group. I'll get our legal department to check out on any rights to that name and if we can register it. Oh boy this is a big leap forward. I had worried about that other name after agreeing to it. What do you think of the magazine concept Blaze?"

"What I've seen is okay but a little honeyed. It needs to project a more decisive, hard-hitting image if you want it to really sell and be passed around."

"We do. Will you accept the position of foundation editor?"

"Now you really are trying something on," Blaze grinned.

"Blaze I'm only recently married to my second wife."

"I know," she smiled. "Actually right now my first loyalty is to Rachel."

Rachel responded instantly. "Accept darling. Big chances like this don't come up often."

For five seconds Blaze stared at them both and then, "Okay you guys appear confident in me. I accept."

"Right thanks and thanks for supporting me in this Rachel. You start Monday Blaze. Call Mrs Oaks in corporate HR for an appointment time. She will brief you about everything and then call in one of our attorneys to negotiate job conditions and pay. We think a base rate of $60,000 sounds about right with your lack of experience. As sales build so will your salary."


Blazing Success



Blaze told Steve in bed the next night about her appointment. She usually stayed with him overnight on Fridays.

He attacked a nipple with his tongue and then looked up.

"Does that mean we're finished?"

"Not as far as I'm concerned. Accountants are supposed to be boring but you are anything but boring and you are great at sex."

Steve beamed and worked at delivering his best shot.

On Monday Blaze attended her first meeting of the executive group now called the New Mag Steering Group. She didn't have an office. The receptionist on that floor showed her to an interview room that contained a desk and two chairs, a laptop and a printer. It had no windows. Blaze had sat there scowling waiting for 9:30 to go to the meeting room.

She arrived to find the five men and two women upset, discussing why had the name of the magazine changed. Blaze looked at the wall behind where the meeting chairman would sit and saw a big sign had been posted: 'The new mag will be called FOREVER YOUNG providing we can register it as a mag title. Fergus.'

"Why changed a perfectly good title," a guy bleated.

"Because the suggest name was crap," Blaze said. "Unbelievably patronizing."

The seven people swung around to look at her.

"Oh," said Gavin, a cost accountant who would chair the meeting and had been introduced to Blaze on Friday. "This is Blaze Gallagher, who was contracted on Friday to be editor of er 'Forever Young' for three years."

"Omigod," groaned a white-headed guy.

Other guys had their mouths opened but the two women more or less smirked.

"Come and sit beside me Blaze," said one of the women. "I'm Christie Young, head of corporate IT. I graduated in graphic design and will be in charge of the design of your magazine website in consultation with you."

Blaze knew the guys were looking at her body instead of wondering why she'd been chosen as editor, but then that's how men were especially if they were blonde.

"Do you want me to strip and get it over with?" she challenged and Gavin said, "Steady on Blaze, you are young and very good looking. Older men take a little time to adjust. This name..."

"Don't waste breath Gavin," she smiled. "It's non negotiable."

"How can you say that?" asked a guy in a wrinkled suit.

"Because the planning phase is over and today we commence the implementation phase. If you are not sharp enough to understand that I question whether you should be here."

There was silence and the guy mumbled he understood.

Gavin said, "Blaze you should know Harry Bennett is general manager of supplies. He's an integral part of this team and will become increasingly important to you as implementation proceeds."

"Hi Harry. You have witnesses my first blunder and there will be more but outnumbered by my successes. I now know I'll have to reply on your ability to deliver what I'll need but we both need to remember we see things differently."

Gavin then introduced everyone else and the older woman, Carol Anderson, deputy-manager of HR asked, "How old are you dear?"

"Twenty-one. I guess that's young enough to be editor of a magazine pitched to young people."

"Oh I hadn't rationalized quite like that. I apologize."

"No you are entitled to know everything about me. You'll be interested to know I only have an associate degree in journalism."

No one commented or appeared interested.

"Well everyone," Gavin said, "let's get underway. You will be interested to know that there is no room in this building for your new division er Blaze."

"Then do your job and make room for me and my operation Gavin."

He looked alarmed and everyone had swung back from looking at fiery Blaze to eye the besieged Gavin. He bleated there was nothing he could do. The building was full and the first two levels were leased out for very high rentals.

"Then either have management find a bigger building or move out stores from the third floor."

"But that will be inefficient."

"I don't see why you would think that Gavin. It's inefficient bringing up bulk stores from street level when if we had ground level storage in a building nearby the delivery trucks could be unloaded in a fraction of the time. What do you think Harry?"

"Hmm. Emotionally we feel part of the corporation being where we are but what you say makes sense logistically speaking. We suffer from weight restrictions on the third floor and so have had to lease outside storage space. This to be the chance to integrate stores in the one site."

Gavin moved decisively, "Right I'll put the case to the CEO and urge a prompt study. You best be with me when I make the presentation Harry."

"Thank you Gavin," Blaze said. "That was very prompt execution."

He nodded and smiled.

"Right we have planned a 128-page magazine and need to set the ceiling on staff. Fergus has ruled the magazine must be self-sufficient to the point of sending off print-ready pages electronically."

"I require an establishment of twenty-six including me, with two of those being temporary advertising salespeople who'll drop off when we have established a core of regular advertisers."

"How do you know that is a sufficient number of people with the right balance?"

"I worked on it all Saturday Gavin, the day after I signed my contract. I consulted with three editors in our group. It was agreed Forever Young will have to be big on style and heavy on illustrations because today's young collect detail from images rather than words. For example a young female doesn't need to be told this is a scarlet dress with an elasticized bust line and straps. She is intelligent enough to see that. She wants to know what she can't see, the type of cotton and weight, size range, indicative price and availability."

"She's right Gavin," said Christie. "Let us set the parameters for costing and leave it to the managing editor to work out the detail to provide the resources necessary to help her launch her new magazine."

"Our magazine," said Philip, from Production.

"My magazine," Blaze said firmly.

Philip grinned and said he thought she'd say that. "I'm becoming more confident about you by the minute."

Carol said, "Hear, hear" and Gavin said, "Right moving on..."

The team had a working lunch and at 4:00 Gavin adjourned the meeting until 9:30 next morning.

"I'm very happy," he said. "We have made real progress today and I think we should have cleaned up everything by Thursday at this rate. Welcome to the team Blaze and I must say you are providing to be a real asset to us."

"Thanks and I'm not being rude when I say this, on this project guys think young."

As they were leaving the room Blaze called, "Oh Christie, might we talk design for a moment?"

They sat down and Blaze pulled out a magazine 'dummy' of proposed magazine layout in sections.

"God how could you have known 128 pages was the target for the first issue?"

"I didn't. I spent most of Sunday working out the first sixty pages and the last sixty pages. What goes between those two sections to make up the size of the required book can be done later. I'm giving you this to start thinking with your team on design. You guys are the experts. All I ask is for a crisp, modern look with good balance of white. I hate cramped-looking layouts in some of the magazines I read."

"Pleasant on the eye and ease in readability?"

"Exactly. Oh thanks darling."

"Do you know me well enough yet to call me darling?" Christie smiled. "I could be really crabby."

"It's a risk I'm prepared to take. Early today I felt the unease all around me. Then you befriended me, asking me to sit beside you. My impression is that atmosphere of unease began to wind down from that point."

"It was my pleasure and I was quite excited to find you were prepared to be tough. So many females in this company are like pussy cats." 

CHAPTER 2

Late Friday night as Steve and Blaze pulled away from each other, sweating and replete, he said, "Um I've been telling mom about you. Because I'm twenty-seven she thinks I'm too old for you."

"I bet she said I was too young for you?"

"Er yes actually she did."

"Am I?"

"Not the way you converse and fuck."

"Oooh what more could a guy want?"

"Um seriously she would like to meet you and I said I'd see what I can do. It's a four and a half hour drive to the ranch but we have been invited to stay the night."

"I see, so mommy will prepare the nursery?"

"Blaze be fair. I have younger sisters but I'm the only boy and mothers are entitled to worry."

"Yeah I'm sorry. I won't tease her like I do you."

"Actually I think she'll be blown away by your manner. Your are so upfront and, well, tough and pretty too."

"Oh darling, that will get you plenty. What would you like?"

"Um can I tell you about mom to get it off my chest. She probably thinks you are only interested in me for the sex. She said as much."

"Well aren't I?"

"Blaze!"

"Ooops. I'll talk to her about the galleries we've visited and the other things we do together and drop bits to indicate I'm aware of your interests and who your principal clients are and that she's only forty-two, eight years younger than your dad and your sisters are Brenda aged eighteen who is mad about equestrian competition and intends to become a school teacher and Arlene is twenty and is studying to be a nurse except I won't tell your mom I know how old she is and how much older than her is your dad."

"Um yes, that would be very wise. I take it we'll go in the morning?"

"Yes I'd like that."

* * * 

The Rush family could see the dust trail as Steve drove in off the highway and up the unsealed track to the ranch house in his black V8-powered Buick LaCrosse Super. When they arrived the family was lined up to greet them.

"Hi Steve," shouted on of his sisters and he called hi but before he could get to the passenger door Blaze was out and calling, "Hi guys, what a great looking bunch of people."

She went to the rear door and pulled out a magnificent sheaf of flowers.

"Now which one of you is Rene? You girls all look much the same to me."

"I'm Rene," Steve's mom said laughing, coming forward to take the flowers. "Omigod, these are magnificent."

"Well Steve said you thought I would be too sexy for him and that I needed to butter you up."

"Steve said that?"

"Mom she's winding you up."

"Rene I have a mom too and she had me living at home until I was eighteen and survived my unsettling behavior. I am considered harmless."

Blade called, "Brenda?"

"Hi dear, oh aren't you a sweetie," Blaze said, kissing the 18-year old. "Here's a DVD on the history of the horse. According to your brother you don't have it."

"Omigod, Omigod," Brenda cried, looking at the cover of the DVD excitedly.

Blaze called, "Arlene?"

"Oh hi sweetheart," Blaze said kissing her. "According to your brother you are always leaving things behind when you date so here's a bra and panty set."

Arlene was a bit embarrassed but when she looked at the lingerie she shouted, "Omigod, they're top-shelf French."

"Yes dear and fortunately for me I got them at a sale."

"Now where's the man of the house?"

"Here," said Larry kissing Blaze. "Oh are you going to liven up things around here."

"Well this is something to keep you quiet while Rene puts me through the grill. I've been told Bourbon is your drink?"

"Omigod, it's 12-year single barrel premium. Aren't you just such a sweetheart," Larry said, kissing her again.

"Rene back here please," Blaze said digging into her bag. "The flowers will be shared by the house; this is for you," Blaze said, handing across a bottle of perfume, Donna Karan Cashmere Mist.

"Oooh, this is so lovely and so generous of you."

Blaze whispered, "The truth is Steve made me go top shelf and he paid half."

"Oh how delightful. I'll thank him later. Are you saying you and Steve shop together?"

"Oh yes, most Saturday mornings in fact after eating breakfast out. I suppose he hasn't told you much about us?"

"No like his father he keeps much that is real personal news close to his chest."

"Brace yourself Rene," Blaze said and paused briefly. "Your son and I have sex."

"I rather gathered that," Rene whispered. "I hope he's very gentle with you?"

"Oooh yes. He has wonderfully soft hands."

"Omigod," Rene said, suddenly looking hot and flushed.

As they all walked inside and Larry offered everyone Bourbon and everyone declined with thanks, Steve asked, "Where are you putting us mom?"

"Oh Blaze is in the guestroom and..."

She saw the way her son's face dropped. "And you are there too or your old room."

"The guestroom sounds fine. Thanks mom."

"God that's a first for us," Brenda said. "The influence of Blaze is dragging mom into the 21st Century."

The girls giggled and Blaze said firmly, "Are you meaning to embarrass your mother?"

"No sorry mom," Brenda said, "but it is a historic point in the history of this family." 

Rene said, "It's all right. When the men are out of earshot I'm expecting Blaze to tell us what she and Steve do when she stays over at his apartment."

Larry spluttered over his Bourbon and Blaze shrieked with laughter, sending off the two girls as well.

"I was teasing Blaze," Rene said. "Oh am I going to remember this day. Your arrival Blaze has probably had the most impact at this home since I arrived home early from the hospital by cab with 12-hour old Brenda after signing myself out. My parents were staying with us and I caught everyone hugely by surprise, particularly my husband who was in the kitchen with two of his pals drinking Bourbon. They had the phone off the hook because friends calling about Brenda and me were annoying them."

They have a great weekend and received a noisy farewell. On the drive back to Chicago, Steve said, "Mom loves you and wants me to marry you."

"Yeah well mothers get like that Steve. Don't let her rush you. Your focus at present needs to be on building your career."

"Right. Would you say yes if it were timely to ask?"

"I might consider saying yes."

He waited for elaboration but none was forthcoming. Blaze was thinking she too had to build her career. She might not be ready to marry until she was thirty or around that age. Would Steve still be around in nine years or so? She thought that would be unlikely unless they moved in together. In that case why would they marry? Perhaps in time she'd see the bigger picture.

* * *

Blaze was eating with Rachel and her family twice a week and she lunched twice a week with Rachel who was helping Blaze to prepare to become an editor. There was much to learn and they acted out roles. Blaze was amazed that Rachel would give her so much attention but when she mentioned that Rachel had said, "Good gracious young woman what I'm doing is infinitesimal to what you have done for our family in pulling Pru out of a life of deepening misery. None of us, least of all Pru, can believe the remarkable improvement in her health and attitude. She is now a delight to live with."

That gratitude almost overwhelmed Blaze. She and Pru and become very friendly and Blaze decided to work on developing an even closer friendship with Rachel. 

Meanwhile the executive meetings had concluded and Blaze was working to a timetable and reporting to group editor Fergus Hamill. Fergus announced to the media that the corporation was preparing to launch a new magazine aimed exclusively at young people without giving away many details such as saying it would be aimed at the eighteen to twenty-eight age group.

Fergus then took Blaze to the next Tuesday morning editors' meeting and introduced her as editor of the new magazine and described the profile of the new magazine in detail. But editors being editors had already gouged out information, knowing something was afoot and hoping it would not be detrimental to of their own publications and so nothing much Fergus said was new to them. They were also aware the new magazine would be in the hands of a shock promotion, giving the helm to a new-start writer who was only a kid.

Their chief finished by saying Blaze was already employed as an editor and would attend all editors' meetings in future. When the meeting ended several of the editors gathered around Blaze to grill her and she was pleased about that. They all seemed to accept that a magazine for the young should have a young editor.

Working to the timetable set by the executive meetings she'd attended, Blaze began working with Carol Anderson, deputy-manager of HR (human resources), to recruit staff. It was corporate policy to also advertise vacancies of new positions internally and Blaze was a little worried she might receive a backlash from other editors if their staff crossed to work on the new publication.

"Don't worry about it," Carol advised. "They may get grumpy but know there's nothing they can do about it and besides, they themselves may well have benefited from internal staff crossing in the past."

Rachel had already explained to Blaze that the HR department would place the adverts and process applications by checking references and claimed qualifications. The list of all applicants would be then handed to the editor and graded simply as a guide by the HR person handling the files. Rachel made her own choices but she suggested because of Blaze's lack of experience in recruitment, Blaze should ask Carol to join her to conduct the interviews. Carol was trained in assessment of personal and had an MBA with concentration on human resources and a diploma in psychology.

When Rachel had sighed and said there were lots of misfits around applying for jobs and posing as well-qualified and well-adjusted people, Blaze also had sighed, realizing she was still very naïve. She'd had the impression only good people who knew they were well suited for the vacancy would apply for it.

For the first she doubted she was suitably qualified to be an editor and especially editor of a new magazine. Oh god why had she accepted the crazy offer? But a couple of things happened to allow her to kick up a gear and she left that moment of grave doubt behind her.

Danny called to ask if he could stay with her on Friday and Saturday nights. She could show him around Chicago and he'd like to have a couple of beers with her boyfriend.

The excited Blaze said yes that was fine, she'd moved into a larger and modern studio apartment that had a sofa that converted into a comfortable bed. 

"You told me you sleep most Friday nights with Steve?"

"Well you know how it is Danny, sometimes you get it and sometimes you don't. Anyway you have a clever sister. This week I will stay with Steve on Thursday."

"Ah good thinking. Um is he good in bed?"

"Is that something you should be asking me?"

"Yes."

Blaze giggled and said well in her limited experience Steve was the very best.

"Great you should stick with him. At college I find the babes are so flighty and half of them don't really know what they want."

"Think of it this way Danny. Those female freshmen are in limbo between teenager and adult and are feeling their way. That transition is not something we attend lectures to learn about. Also they don't have to have brains to figure out they are living in a little window of opportunity in their lives when they can nail as many guys as they want and being college girls that's almost expected of them. You should accept if you want a female with a more mature outlook you must go for an older female."

"You mean my female tutors?"

"Well I suppose that would be an option but you are good looking enough to catch the eye of even a senior who is not big-headed about her college status."

"Gee Blaze they don't even talk to guys like me."

"They might if you involve yourself in mixed group activities such as the photography club or hiking club."

"Yuck that stuff is not for me."




Blazing Success



"Ooh I know, then work as a volunteer reporter for the college newspaper. You could interview senior chicks. It would be a great opener."

"Oh yeah. That's huge advice."

"And Danny, gloss over that you are studying engineering. Women might regard engineers as boring guys. Just say you are doing technical studies and leave it at that."

"Oh great."

"And don't be in a hurry to grab a tit. Senior students would regard that as immature. Just wait patiently for the signs."

"Like what?"

"Well perhaps she will begin to cross and uncross her legs a lot or she'll sigh and ask what should you guys do."

"And that's asking for sex?"

"Possibly but at least it means something. And don't say to her what you'd like to do, ask her what she'd like to do. If she is thinking sex she's unlikely to say let's go and see what the girls are doing."

"Jesus Blaze. You have no idea how helpful this is to me."

Blaze laughed and said good luck and goodbye.

Later taking a break from planning, Blaze called Steve who told her excitedly that one of the partners had given him a trading company that was seeking a new external accountant.

"I've been out to meet the principals who are three guys only a few years older than I am. We had a meeting over beers although it was only 1l o'clock and they brought in the old duck who calls herself a bookkeeper and she took me to her office and showed me to what stage she prepared the company accounts. She appears meticulous and I was astonished at the company's huge income. I was hired on retainer and my hourly fee was approved. This means a bit jump in billings for me and will raise my status in our firm."

"That's great darling and I'm so proud of you. Um I'm calling to say my brother Danny wants to stay with me this Friday and Saturday nights. He hasn't been to Chicago before."

"Fine we'll take him out and really show him the city and I'll take him off for some beers."

"Oh great. You are such a nice guy."

"Um so that means we miss out on Friday night sex?"

"Yes I regret so say," Blaze said, holding her breath.

"Then why don't we switch your stay-over to Thursday night. I mean we do adjust when you are having your monthly?"

"Oh brilliant, I hadn't thought of switching," Blaze lied. "You clever man."

On Thursday night Blaze unloaded her misgivings about being totally unsuited to be editor of a new magazine.

Steven listened quietly and then said, "So this editor Rachel and the group editor are stupid, incompetent people who have no idea of what they are doing and are incapable of assessing people for senior roles?"

"No of course not. That's ridiculous. They are... Oh I hear what you are saying."

"Yes, all better now? Remember Rachel is your friend and from what you say is already your mentor. She'll be expecting to support you and the big chief will keep in close contact, not wishing his new magazine to hit uncharted bumps."

"Oh you are so wonderful to me," Blaze cried. "It's not often I require a prop. It's so lovely having you in hand and you know I don't take your for granted."

"God Blaze, you do have a silver tongue."

Rather than reply Blaze smiled and began unbuckling her lover's belt.

The weekend with Danny was a huge success. Going around with a newcomer opened the eyes of Steve and Blaze to things they had not noticed or no longer noticed about their city. On Friday evening Blaze noticed Steve looking at his watch several times. They had gone to a bar of his choice, one she didn't like much although it was well situated.

Steve looked up, smiled and waved and a young woman hurried to them.

Blaze and the young woman kissed happily and Steve then said, "Danny I'd like you to meet my sister Arlene."

Danny and Arlene locked eyes and slowly broke into toothy grins.

He asked, "Have you just driven in some somewhere?"

"Yes from college where I'm studying nursing. I'm staying tonight and tomorrow night with Steve. He told me you would be staying with Blaze and would require a date."

"Nursing eh, that's a really noble vocation. If I were in hospital I'd love it if you were my nurse."

"Oooh what a lovely thing to say to me."

For the next two nights Blaze stayed with Steve and the other two slept at Blaze's studio apartment.

It was a great weekend for them all.

During the next fortnight Blaze spent a great deal of her time reading approved applications for positions on her magazine and then interviewing applicants with Carol from HR.

It went very well apart from the graphic artist. The two applicants were women in their forties. She and Carol agreed they would have to re-advertise that position but an hour later Carol called excitedly that she'd just had a new graduate with a master's in computer design come in asking about job vacancies. 

"Blaze, her portfolio has sent my heart thumping. She's having coffee, are you able to come down to my office now?"

Before looking at the portfolio Blaze asked the tall and white-faced brunette, "Why did you not secure a position before you left college?"

"Because I'm from Oklahoma City and wished to settle in Chicago. I like big cities and fashion and my parents had moved to Evanston to live near mom's parents. Dad has taken a position teaching computer science at Northwestern University. Recruiters from Chicago didn't come to my university of course and I wished to find a shared apartment before I went job hunting. My mother is willing to keep on supporting me financially."

"What are your interests outside of computer design?"

"Web browsing including fashion and I also peep at some adult sites. I read a lot but don't watch much TV apart from films and music channels. I continually add to my music collection and I'm also a bit of a party girl and shopping, oh god I love shopping and that's why choice to relocate in Chicago. I'm really big into photography and my sports are ice-skating and women's soccer. Oh and my interest in fashion has led me into making some of my own dresses and tops and I have began designing and have sold some of my designs."

"Well that's fascinating. Do you know about our new magazine?"

"Well only what Mrs Anderson has told me. She said you have fire in your belly, you are younger than me and you aim to have your magazine selling right across America and into Canada. Oh I love the name 'Forever Young' for a magazine. There's so much going wrong with society today and so many young people don't appear to hold out much hope for themselves that they need pillars in their life and the concept that appears to being applied to a magazine named 'Forever Young' may well prove to be one of those pillars."

"You have a silver tongue and a great attitude Jo. I've heard enough and now need to study your portfolio back in my office. Hold tight for an hour when I'll call you. Please give me your number."

Fifty minutes later Blaze called Jo. "Hi we need you back her to discuss terms and conditions. You meet all of my expectations of a graphic illustrator Jo. You will have an older woman as your assistant. She applied but was not up to speed and has agreed to become assistant graphic illustrator. Our magazine will rely heavily on graphics."

"I'm just leaving a coffee house down the street from you Blaze. Thanks for having faith in me. You offer me a great challenge."

"Thanks. I think you have a great name, Jo Black."

"When I was told your name was Blaze I admit I expected a redhead. Remain blonde Blaze, people like being confronted by the somewhat unexpected."

The call ended with Blaze thinking, Jo appeared to be exactly right to perform a pivotal role in her team. She very much liked the way Jo thought and her candor.

"Omigod, Jo is rather like me."

She now had to find an experienced sub-editor to appoint as chief sub and deputy editor.

CHAPTER 3

Group editor Fergus Hamill called Blaze to his office and was pouring coffee as she arrived.

"How's it going?"

She replied tartly, "Don't you read my reports?"

"Is that how you think you should speak to your editor-in-chief."

She eyed him, saying nothing, and he stared straight back until she winked.

He smiled and said in normal conversation tone, "Bitch."

"You must understand underlings dress up reports and concentrate telling their superiors what they think their superiors what to hear. I want to hear from you verbally and that's why you were invited here."

"Well if you must know I feel exposed and vulnerable. I'm working to overcome that unusual situation for me and Rachel has been of great assistance but I would appreciate you not telling her I'm experiencing self-doubt."

Fergus smiled and said, "Have I mentioned you have great breasts?"

She smiled.

"Jesus what do I have to do to get up your nose?"

"Well if you must know women irritate me easily but men don't. I've figured it's because I know I can handle men. I never know where the hell I am with many women."

"You are now thinking like a man. Um I apologize for my personal remark."

"Well don't. I believe I have great breasts and can't see why you shouldn't be allowed to make that comment when we're alone. Was that your pickup line when you met the two women you later married?"

He laughed. "Blaze Gallagher, you are a very bright young lady. Bright in other ways too. Suitable premises have been found and Stores begins moving out of the third floor tomorrow. Our consultant reported, in effect, who was the genius who came up with this idea and she estimated after taking into account additional rentals, in providing greater efficiency the theoretical net savings could be at least forty-five grand a year. That envelope in front of you is a check for five grand from a very appreciative CEO."

"Good god, that suggestion came right off the top of my head."

"And somewhat slower you came up with an improved name for your magazine. It's a gift. Some of the world's greatest ideas have come from flash thinking. It will be a month before renovations to your floor are completed. Final plans will be completed tomorrow."

"Final plans?"

He grinned. "Final preliminary layout plans subject to your approval."

"Oh you are such a lovely man. If you weren't married to such a glamorous young woman I would kiss you. I saw you two walking the other evening when I was out jogging with a girlfriend."

"You should have come over and said hi."

"It will wait. Bring your wife to my launch party. Now I'm in an asshole of an office. It's an interview room and ..."

"Move into this office next Monday. Isobel and I leave on Friday for Europe for almost a month to attend a couple of conventions and then to tour. It's our delayed honeymoon."

"This office?"

"Yes it's only an office. Everyone is being advised this afternoon to refer all queries to my deputy from next Monday. My deputy is Claire Wallace, editor of 'Illinois Homes With Gardens Magazine'."

"I know her from Tuesday's meetings. At least she'd not one of the editors who indicates they don't like having me in their midst."

"True but watch yourself with Claire. As for the others, and Claire for that matter, they fought for their positions against all-comers whereas you are hand-picked."

"Ah is that why I'm being cold-shouldered?"

"Add youth, low academic qualifications and inexperience and you have it. Claire is about thirty years older than you."

"Will she throw me out of your office?"

Fergus smiled and said he would brief Claire and also ask her to be pleasant to Blaze who was going through a traumatic time.

"Oh god that will make her think I'm weak."

"And therefore she is superior to you."

"Omigod how clever of you."

Fergus pressed a button under his desk and his PA entered. Blaze only knew her casually. The attractive woman in her later thirties was Mrs Belle Murrieta. 

"Belle I believe you know Blaze Gallagher, editor of our soon to be launched youth magazine?"

"Yes Mr Hamill and hi again Blaze."

"Blaze has a pokey interview room for an office and is now engaged in crucial planning work. So I'm giving her this office to use while I'm away and I ask that you provide her with full services as her temporary PA."

Belle gaped. "Blaze will use your office?"

"Yeah and that will send tongues wagging."

"I would think so. Are you attempting to toughen up Blaze, risking putting her offside with that pack?"

"Belle I assure you Blaze is more than capable of looking after herself. Now do you have any questions?"

"Yes. Are you used to having a PA Blaze?"

"No definitely not. This has just been sprung on me Belle. Um would you be kind enough to help me cope and to steer me in the right direction? At present I scarcely know whether I'm operating on my ass or my belly."

Belle's huge peel of laughter suggested everything would be all right. 

"No further questions. I'll fetch fresh coffee. I'm looking forward to working for you Miss Gallagher."

"Oh that makes me feel so relieved and I would prefer you call me Blaze Belle but it's your professional choice."

"Thank you Blaze. You have such a pretty name."

When the door closed Fergus said, "You handled that situation exceedingly well even if you were on auto-pilot. I could see that Belle who has a possessive streak was beginning to become uptight but you charmed her out of that. Your are beginning to deliver on the potential Rachel and I saw in you young lady."

* * *

When shopping with Steve on Saturday, Blaze said since she would be working on the lower of the two executive floors she must buy a dark business suit.

"Why? Be yourself. Why not start wearing the clothes you'll wear when fully operating as editor of your magazine."

That made sense to Blaze. So she should be herself. She spent heavily.

On Monday morning Belle gasped when she saw the newly colored now ash blonde, gray-eyed Blaze approaching, dressed in a very tight plum dress and wearing mauve 6-inch high heels.

"It's raining outside but here comes the sun to brighten our day," Belle giggled. "God you look so great."

The news spread quickly that glamour had come to Executive 2 Floor and Blaze was invited down three floors to have mid-morning coffee with Claire Wallace.

It was the first time Blaze had visited one of the other magazine floors apart from where she had worked until last Friday simply because no editor had invited her to visit.

She entered and was aware she'd caused a bit of a stir. A woman rose to greet her but Claire called from her office doorway, "It's fine Helena, this beautiful vision is my visitor."

Claire announced loudly, "Everyone this is the young lady you all have been talking about recently. This is Blaze Gallagher, editor of our soon to be launched magazine 'Forever Young'. Blaze is our youngest editor by far and in fact younger than any of you."

"Hi Blaze," people called.

She smiled and waved. Well so far Claire couldn't have been nicer.

Claire poured coffee making small talk and then, "If you were attempting to make your mark visually today you certainly have succeeded hugely. My congratulations. You may as well know we other editors bar Rachel are expecting you to fall over."

"That doesn't surprise me."

Claire smiled thinly and said, "What no tears?"

"Tears are for loser and for the weak Claire. I read your CV before coming down. Perhaps you could mention to your husband my mother also came from Ayr in Scotland and was then Drew Wallace and perhaps is a distant relative of his. She could be about you husband's age if he's about your age."

"Hmmm how interesting. I must ask him. Gallagher is also Scottish."

"Yes mom came with her parents to America by ship. They spent the first five nights before leaving New York hosted by a family of Gallagher's. They had a boy called Redman and some years later he went looking for my mother in Kansas City when my mother and her family had gone to live near close relatives. Dad found mom and married her a couple of years later and two years late they had twins, my brother and me."

"Oh what an amazing story. You could base a novel on that. Although your parents have unusual names I can't believe your mother would have accepted the name Blaze for you. Mothers are not like that."

"Good thinking. The name they so kindly bestowed on me was Pansy."

"Omigod I can see what happened. When you were older you went right away to the extreme from Pansy and defiantly called yourself Blaze after a notorious woman called Blaze Starr."

"Well that's more or less what happened but the name came from one of my girlfriend's mother's horse called Blaze, a chestnut and the most beautiful horse I'd ever seen."

They chatted on and Claire said, "You may as well know I felt outraged when told you are occupying Fergus's office while he's away."

"Well outrage is rather a strong reaction. Perhaps you'll feel vindicated if I fall over."

"Hmmm. Perhaps it's a bit early to say this but talking to you for the past twenty minutes has reshaped my mind about you. You have enormous charisma and confidence. I really can't see you failing. Build a great team and you'll cruise along."

"Oh thanks Claire. You obviously can be lovely. I'm in need of a good sub-editor capable of stepping up to become my chief sub-editor and deputy editor. Have you someone you feel obliged to give me because they deserve this opportunity?"

"Omigod girl you have amazing audacity."

"Well?"

"Yes there is someone I'll consult. God you are amazingly cheeky Blaze. The truth is I think it's wonderful. So many females around her lack fire in their belly."

"I think I've heard that before. Um do you mind showing me around so I can see your layout and hear you explain how you operate? I see no need to reinvent the wheel."

"Yes it will be my pleasure. You know my husband and I have two boys. I always longed for a daughter."

"A daughter like me would have been rather a challenge for you Claire. Ask my mom."

They laughed.

* * *

Steve called his mom, the weekly call, and this time it had extra purpose.

After the pleasantries he said, "Blaze wants you guys to come to Chicago on Saturday week to stay for the night and to go to the ballet with us. She's received a fat bonus and wishes to take us out."

"The ballet? There is no way I can get your father to Chicago to see anything and Arlene will be heavily into preparing for a test on clinical knowledge."

"Well just you and Bren will be fine. If she likes horses she'll like ballet."

"What makes you say that?"

"I have no idea. I'm attempting to apply gentle pressure mom."

Rene said, "Steve I accept Blaze is a lovely young lady but I feel she's a little too switched on for you. It might be best that we don't get too friendly with her."

"Why's that? When I last visited you told me to hold on to her and marry her."

"I wish to avoid the distress of your two breaking up."

"God mom, you are so conservative. What about the affect of a breakup on me?"

"Well there are other women with great looks and great figures darling."

"Mom I want you and Brenda here by lunchtime on Saturday week. Do you understand? If you fail to show up there will be a breaking up between me and my mother."

"Steve you do over-dramatize at times. Just a minute while I check with Bren. God you've got me calling her Bren now. Just back off a bit."

Steve tapped his fingers and his mom returned. "Well Brenda screamed her head off. She says it's a wonderful invitation."

"There I told you she would like ballet."

"Actually she said she was dying to be with Blaze again."

"Oh."

"I'm sorry darling. No mention was made of you or the ballet. Just Wonder Woman."

"What?"

"For goodness sake Steve, you are sleeping with her. She is a remarkable young woman. Can't you see it?"

"I think I do," he said unconvincingly. Part of his problem was his mom seemed to run hot and then cold about Blaze. That confused him.




Blazing Success



* * *

Blaze took three attempts of pressure before Belle agreed to have mid-morning coffee with her.

The breakthrough came on the third day when Belle said, "No I cannot do that Blaze. It would be unprofessional of me."

"Tell me Belle, have you had coffee in here with Mr Hamill?"

Belle turned pale and she pushed the door shut and faced Blaze.

"Yes, many times."

"And what else have you shared with him?"

Belle looked out the window and said in a small voice, "I don't know what you mean?"

"Have you had sex with him in this office?"

"Oh how can you ask me such a thing?"

"Spit it out Belle."

Belle looked at Blaze with a hand pressed over her mouth. She lowered her hand, appearing to calm herself and said she would fetch her coffee.

She returned, closed the door and sat facing Blaze across the desk.

"Why do you want to know these things?"

Blaze smiled. "Well I have to admit I'm interested in the answers but my purpose is to establish an link of easy intimacy with you so we'll work together better. You seem to talk to me as if we wished there was a neck high wall between us."

"I've tried to be friendly."

"True Belle but why did you have to try, why didn't it just flow naturally?"

"I can't say."

"It's because I'm occupying the territory you guard for Mr Hamill, isn't it, the territory you share with him as his subordinate?"

"Yes. You appear to have very complicated thought processes for one so young and you probably know the answers I haven't given you."

"Well forget I asked that question Belle. It appears I have achieved my aim which was to have morning coffee with you in here."

Belle's face tightened and she said, "Seventeen times."

"Pardon me?"

"I've had sex in this office with Mr Hamill seventeen times."

"I see. Was that between him filing for divorce and when he told you he was going to marry again?"

"Yes, entirely between those two occasions."

"I can understand your position Belle. I don't know much about interaction between adults and their behavior beyond my own parents but he doesn't appear to be to be a guy would be unlikely to allow himself to go without sex for long periods, but this is not my business. You have satisfied my curiosity and it's immaterial to me what you and Mr Hamill did in that respect. You have my word I'll not mention to anyone what you have just told me. Can we be friends?"

"Yes of course. I feel very ashamed about what I did now that I've spoken about it."

"Well I apologize for forcing that confession. It was your choice at the time Belle and we all have to live by our choices."

"Would you commit adultery if you were married?"

Blaze thought for a moment. "I believe I would. I would have to feel compelled to cross the line and would not do it lightly."

"That was exactly my position."

Blaze smiled and said then Belle shouldn't have regrets and feel ashamed of what she had done.

"You are very tough, er I mean strong Blaze."

"Well I have decided I have to be tough to find the niche I want in this world Belle. Let me tell you why I didn't go to college and that was a bitter blow for me. My father was a partner in a very profitable engineering business, and because of that we lived very well. Mom and dad had the cars of their choice, we still retained our original family home but it was extensively remodeled and a big pool took up most of the back lawn. We had it made."

"But then dad's partner began to hit on other women and his wife found out and divorced him. Mr Harris became depressed and began drinking and then in a wild binge of gambling ran up huge debts that he cleared using his company cards. He persuaded dad to join him in buying a commercial building as an investment and loans were arranged. But the only money Mr Harris, who was managing partner, paid in to set up completing the deal was the deposit. The man dad trusted as a long-time business partner absconded with all the money from the business he could lay his hands on including the bank loan that the buy selling the building had allegedly demanded be in cash."

"Well dad had acted stupidly, as we all would later say, and was robbed blind. The police were called in but could do little apart from making routine enquiries and a firm of private investigators could find no trace of Burt Harris. Dad lost the business and other assets to pay back the bank and just squeaked through and was able to keep our house. But gone was the education fund. Dad and mom managed to pull back on their living style to keep putting enough money aside to fund just one of their children through college, either my twin brother or me. My bother won out because my dad wanted him to qualify as a construction design engineer and follow in his footsteps but to avoid bad business decisions of course."

"Oh god how terrible for you and your family. It must have almost sent your mother on to the verge of a mental breakdown?"

"No after a week or so she was fine Belle. Lucky for mom she is a stoic Scot of great fortitude. I have some of her strengths and the fieriness of dad's mother. It was a big blow to me not going to college but I had more than half expected their decision to go against me. Dad and mom were always good to me and one day I'll repay them by buying them a lovely retirement home of their choice. I have promised myself to do that."

Belle reached across the desk and took Blaze's hand. "You are really amazing. I believe most teenagers losing their chance of a college education like you did would have tried to find a guy with a promising future and married him. But you have decided to continue on with your life as if you had won your degree."

Blaze said well she had gained an associate degree in journalism and had almost completed on-line studies to convert that into a bachelor's degree and would commit a further year to gain a master's degree.

"You are doing it the hard way Blaze but thankfully you have received a very lucky break because Mr Hamill sees something big in you. I've never seen him act like this with anyone before he focused on you. And you know, I don't think it's anything to do with sex."

Blaze laughed and said she hoped not. Fergus was not the right type of guy for her and anyway he was too old.

Belle squeezed Blaze's hand and left, taking the coffee cups.

* * *

A Maria DeLuca called Blaze and said she worked for Mrs Wallace on 'Homes With Gardens'.

"Oh hi Maria, please call me Blaze. Mrs Wallace said she had someone on her team who might interested me, someone overdue for promotion."

"Yes Mrs Wallace told me I possess the credentials of the person you are seeking to hire."

"Let's talk over lunch."

"Lunch?"

"Yes at a café. You'll be my guest. Both of us need to be sure about this so we must talk leisurely."

"Well we are rather busy as our monthly deadlines are upon us."

"Then I'll call Mrs Wallace because I would like to do this today."

"No it's fine, I can handle it. I'll call you back."

They met in the foyer and walked across the street to the Orlando Café. Maria looked almost forty (later confirmed at thirty-eight). Her complexion was dark and she was a fading beauty. She was dressed well and her hair was beautifully tied back. She had the presence of the person Blaze was seeking but was more than ten years too old for Blaze's ideal person. In fact in her mind she's set the age limit for her newly appointed team at twenty-eight.

But lunch went smoothly, the both having a glass of pinot noir. The more they talked the more Blaze became interested in Maria. It became apparent that Maria was the victim of a talented person working in a small office where promotion was limited. She admitted to that and said she'd not moved to chase promotion because she was very happy with her work environment and that Mrs Wallace was great to work with apart from being quick to criticize and slow to praise.

"That would be my impression of Mrs Wallace," Blaze said. 

They laughed but Maria offered no further negative comment about Mrs Wallace's character and Blaze admired her for that.

"So you have worked on magazines since graduating with a BA in media studies and you are also fluent in Italian and French and worked on a magazine in Italy for almost two years, so why haven't you become an editor or an assistant editor?"

"Partly I suppose because I've worked with Mrs Wallace for the past eight years. She hasn't retired and all that time our deputy-editor has worked for Mrs Wallace and is my age."

"Do you desire to become an editor?"

"Not really. I don't like the politics that go with the job and the meetings and filing monthly reports and working on budgets. I find my role as a senior sub-editor very rewarding because it has a significant element of creativity to it in cutting articles to the required size without destroying the writer's crafted rhythm or eliminating information the reader could really appreciate and also I enjoy working with the page designer. The work actually gives me rhythm in my life. You have been a teenager so will appreciate what my home environment is like with a spunky 16-year old girl and a teasing 18-year old boy and a very loud and demanding husband."

"Work is not man's punishment. It is his reward and his strength and his pleasure."

"Ah, George Sand," Maria said. "Was that a test?"

"No," Blaze said. "I'm not a person who is full of quotes and I resisted changing he to her to suit the occasion. It's one of my grandmother's often-used quotations. It was grandma who introduced me to very early women writers and explained to me the struggle they had and why they couldn't publish under their own names."

"God don't we have it easy compared with those remarkable women? We do tend to look at ourselves in isolation."

"Yes we do," Blaze said, rather impressed. 

"As they parted in the foyer Blaze said, "Thanks for this folio about you. I'll study it and get back to you within twenty-four hours."

Two hours later Blaze knew she'd be a fool not to hire this older woman. Although the team might not see it, Maria would be the perfect balance for her, being calm, better educated, more worldly and would possess the skills of a mother used to running a rowdy and perhaps disjoined family. Maria was also a literary woman, having had three books of short stories commercially published and a small volume of poems privately published for distribution to friends and family. 

She went to see Rachel and caused quite a stir when entering the floor of her former magazine, looking stunning dressed in a shimmering green dress with plunging neckline and matching shoes. Rachel came out to see what the noise was about and cried, "Oooh, Omigod" and held out her arms. The watching women just loved it as Blaze crashed into Rachel.

With the office door closed, Rachel asked, "Will you hire her?"

Blaze looked at Rachel and challenged, "Has Claire been talking to you?"

"Yes she had to talk to someone and had refrained from trying to pressure you. God there's not much chance of keeping things confidential when you are around is there?"

"No and you'll know I've come to talk about Maria."

Rachel adopted a fake Irish accent: "So the age thing is troubling you is it little darling?"

Blaze's mouth dropped open. "God how did you know that."

"As any senior editorial person in this building would react when asked about Maria, they probably would just sigh and say, 'Ah Maria.' You see she would be the most accomplished editing person in this building. They all would like to have her but they all know first they'd have to breach the fortress called Claire Wallace."

"But now this has changed. Claire developed Maria to be her successor but she still has no plans to retire. Then along comes pretty, energetic you, a Babe in the Woods of journalism and very much in need of back-up. You see it was Claire who for more than a year was at Fergus to get management approval to launch a young person's magazine, not a Dolly-type publication, but the type of intelligent offering to the young that has been outlined in detail to you. Fergus finally yielded and at Claire's suggestion held a meeting with Claire and me one Saturday afternoon at a hotel, beginning with a ritzy lunch and the booze flowed and so did the ideas that created the concepts including Claire's push, backed by me, that the editor must be a lively young female pleasing on the eye."

"Omigod so that explains Claire's latent interest in me."

"Well I'm telling you this privately but initially Claire thought you were totally unsuitable and opposed Fergus's choice and argued he should have advertised widely. But then as she watched and heard things about you, her thinking began to modify until she believed you are just right for the role providing you have a great deputy."

"Omigod she decided to sacrifice her hold on Maria before I got to consult with her?"

"Think that if you wish. I think she knew she was failing to give Maria the step-up in her career and she put two and two together and the answer was Blaze and the new magazine."

"God this could be the basis of a novel."

"Perhaps you'll write that novel one day darling. Oh come for dinner Friday night and bring your boyfriend with you. Pru and I when out driving have seen you with him a couple of times and we'd both like to seduce him."

On the way back to her office, Blaze stopped at the 'Homes With Gardens' offices. She waved to everyone including Maria and went into Claire's office.

"Oh hi darling. My husband says he does remember your mother. They were at the same primary school in Ayr. He would like to make contact."

"I'll arrange that. Claire I want her."

"Thank god for that," Claire said, moving around her desk to kiss Blaze.

Maria accepted the job offer and two days later Blaze hired a young male to write on all aspects of personal transportation including recreational vehicles and to profile male and female sportswomen. She also hired a basic IT guy who'd maintain their computers and train staff to get the best out of their computers, phones and other hi-tech equipment and he'd also debug and make the final check of pages before they were sent electronically to the Press Room.

* * *

Pru Curtis kissed Blaze at the front door and looked at her and said, "May I kiss him?"

"Yes, Steve Rush this is my best girlfriend Pru Curtis."

"Hi Steve," Pru said moving in and giggled when Blaze called no tonguing.

They went inside, Pru saying her father George was out of town.

When being introduced to Steve, Rachel put out her hand to shake. He ignored that and kissed her and stroking her hair said, "Blaze tells me you are her mentor as well as her friend?"

"I um yes. That's a fair description," Rachel said, pulling away from Steve and looking a little flushed. "She's a wonderful young lady. Has she told you what she's done for this family?"

"I don't believe so."

"Oh, now what drink would you like?"

They had an enjoyable evening and when driving to his apartment Steve said, "Pru looked a perfectly normal woman for her age to me."

"Yeah well when I met her she looked starved, gaunt and anemic and her breasts were scarcely discernible under her clothing.

"We they look a great pair of 32B's to me."

"God you men, you can be so rude."

* * *

Rene and daughter Bren arrived at Steve's place in time for late lunch and later dressed for the ballet and met Blaze at a restaurant for an early evening snack. The females greeted each other warmly and as the time came to go to the theater the excitement of Bren and her mother increased a couple of notches.

They were amazed to see how beautifully groomed and dressed some of the people were.

The just loved their night at the ballet and having a silver service dinner afterwards at a classy Italian restaurant. Rene thought she didn't care much for Italian food but the food she was served forced a change of mind for her.

At they headed off for home next day, Blaze arriving in time for coffee and then to wave them off.

"You must come another time in the season when one of the more popular operas is being staged," she said. 

"Oh yes, I'm all for culture," said Rene, still on a high after being at the ballet. "All of the family must come."

CHAPTER 4

The first issue of 'Forever Young' was launched with promotional support but at Blaze's insistence without too much fanfare to avoid potential readers from over-expecting and to allow her to 'build' the impact of the magazine in successive issues.

Fergus was back in time for the launch and held a cocktail party for the main personnel involved along with their partners.

He had authorized by email from France a first-issue print of 485,000 after reading reports from his own marketing and distribution executives and a consultant. Blaze had wanted a print of 700,000 copies but Fergus told her on a phone call that was too ambitious.

That figure of 485,000 was looking pretty accurate. Some newsagents and stores with magazine sections sold out quickly and complained about no further stocks being available but as Fergus told Blaze it was better to practically sell everything than have 20,000 of more copies being dumped. He said the circulation would build slowly as readers began showing loyalty to the magazine and providing Blaze led the team successfully to keep the standard consistent to satisfy readers.

Some evening newspapers on launch day had reviews of the magazine with the general agreement appeared to be, "The content and style are good but does the already crammed magazine market need yet another new entry?"

Fergus and Blaze were interviewed on network TV that night and were asked did the market need another new magazine.

Fergus answered yes, there always was a place for one more provided it hit the spot with some readers. He looked quite impressed when Blaze said firmly, "The birth and death of magazines is a natural occurrence and needs to be left to occur. The good magazines that provide relevant content and satisfy readers will stay at the top like cream. With 'Forever Young' we believe we are arriving in an under-nourished market in our sector and we are attuned to the way young people think. I believe young people will see 'Forever Young' at having relevance to their life-style."

The interviewer said, "Of course you would be expected to say that as you will be sweating to retain your job."

Blaze said, "Say what you like. My team and I are focused on only one thing and that is providing our chosen market sector with a magazine of relevance. The market will determine if we have got it right and if we have readers will reward us with growing support and make our magazine profitable and successful."

"Fergus you said earlier you expect to see today's print of 495,000 copies selling nationwide to increase. Do you have a figure in mind?"

"Yes I feel we ought to soon reach around 510,000 audited sales and stay there."

"Blaze?"

"Who knows because it's early days. However my target is eventually hit 600,000 sales. I can't see it going any higher because we are pitched to a target sector of the market rather than being a magazine of all things to all people."

"Well there we go. Those two comments add up to cautious optimism. Thank you Fergus Hamill, group editor of Jupiter Network Communications Corp and Blaze Gallagher, editor of the newly launched 'Forever Young' magazine."

As Fergus and Blaze walked from the studio he snapped, "I would have preferred you agreeing with my circulation growth predication rather than you contradicting me."

"I believe our figures came across as predictions rather than fact and surely people are allowed to have different views?"

"Just don't contradict me in public, that's what I'm saying. Let's get a drink."

Blaze thought of saying she was tired and would head home but thought that might just be pushing her luck one inch too far. 




Blazing Success



"Great idea Fergus. I'm dry. Sorry to get your back up."

"It's okay. Apology accepted. You've been working damn hard for me."

Fergus came to Blaze's office two days later, grinning hugely.

"Internet subscriptions for your magazine are being snapped up as if they were for a new model iPad. We've had to switch people to help with the processing."

"That's great."

He asked what was the lead for the next issue going through at present.

"Probably something that will land us in big public debate and oh dear, people will have to buy our magazine to read what this is all about so sales will boom."

"Cut it out Blaze. Just tell me."

"In brief it discusses how to get DNA testing, the cost and the likely accuracy, to check whether both of your parents or just one of them are your real parent/parents your birth parents are you always were led to believe."

"Oh Jesus."

"Careful on your reaction Fergus. My job prescription clearly states I'm to produce hard-hitting articles that are accurate, relevant and possess high readership interest and I'm to accept controversy fearlessly. By the time you return to your office the article will have been emailed to you."

Blaze sent the email and then phoned Steve. "If I get fired or resign would you still wish to marry me?"

"Of course."

"Thanks. Bye."

Fifteen minutes later Fergus called Blaze.

"The legal team and you are correct in your opinions in my view. It's an excellent article, in fact a brilliant article and you are to be congratulated."

"The three of us named were the writers."

"Well the three of you are to be congratulated. Please Blaze, try not to make me an old man before my time. I really do need to keep tighter supervision of you. You have a sharp brain and sharp teeth."

"I'll have my guy set up an encrypted link with you so you can look at any time to see what we are putting through and you can also view the pages ready for proofing."

"I wasn't intending to have that extent of supervision."

"I know so just think twice before interfering. I'm doing this to avoid you growing old before your time Fergus. I like the way you are."

Blaze called Steve again.

"Sorry I worried about being dumped unnecessary. My job appears safe. I'm no longer anxious about my future."

"You've already got my thinking about marriage."

"That's fine. Remember to let me know when you have reached a decision. I would like to marry before I turn thirty."

THE END