knew it.”
“Even a broken clock's right twice a day,” Jody said.
“What??”
“Never mind. You'll work it out. Leeroy's here.”
The entire workforce had been called together in the canteen for an 'important announcement'. Arthur Leeroy wasn't renowned for his sunny disposition, but he looked even more solemn than usual.
“This doesn't look good,” Kathy said.
“Ladies and gentlemen. I hope you can all hear me. What about you at the back? Okay? Good. This is a copy of a press release which will be officially released in...” He checked his watch. “... in ten minutes time. I don't intend to read it word for word or we will be here all afternoon.”
“Better than working.” A voice from the back of the canteen.
“The gist of the press release is simple. Milners has today been acquired by International Cross Enterprises (I.C.E.).”
“Is that it?”
“That's as much as I can tell you.”
“What about our jobs?”
“I don't know any more than you do.”
“Who are International Cross whatever they are called.”
“I.C.E. is a multinational corporation with interests in any number of different sectors according to the press release.”
“What do they want with Milners?”
“We come as part of a package. As you probably already know – Milners is part of the Alexander Engineering Group of companies. I.C.E. has bought the whole group.”
*******
Back in the office, it was Kathy's turn to make the tea.
“You're the brainy one Sarah. What do you know about I.C.E.?”
“I've never heard of them, but then my psychology degree didn't include much in the way of business studies.”
“Do you reckon our jobs are safe?”
“I should think so.” Sarah had no idea, but couldn't see the point in worrying Jody. “Companies get taken over all the time.
“I wouldn't be so sure. Look at this!” Geoff was staring at his computer screen. “They sound like asset strippers.”
“What the hell is an asset stripper?” Kathy passed the cups of tea around.
“It means they buy companies, sell off the best bits, and then close them down.”
“I shouldn't worry about it yet.” Sarah knew Jody would. Married with two young children, her husband had been made redundant six months ago. He had found a job, but it was part-time minimum wage. Between the two of them, they barely covered their bills.
“Let's wait until there's something to worry about.
“Our new owner is a bit of all right.” Kathy was looking over Geoff's shoulder. “Look at this.”
The women crowded around Geoff's desk.
Andrew Cross – Chairman of International Cross Enterprises – pictured aboard his yacht
“He looks a right poser,” Geoff said.
“He can afford to be. He's bloody gorgeous.” Kathy sipped her tea. “And loaded too. He could have me if he played his cards right. What do you reckon Sarah?”
“You can have him.” Sarah walked back to her desk. The news reports which Geoff had found were worrying. I.C.E. had a bad reputation for company closures and mass redundancies. If the worse did come to the worse, it wouldn't be the end of the world for Sarah. In fact, it might be the kick up the backside she needed to force her to do something with her life. It was Kathy and Jody she worried for. Losing their wage would have a massive impact on their families.
Chapter 2
Weekends and evenings were the worst times. While she was at work, Sarah could forget about everything else. As soon as she got back home, the old memories came flooding back. It didn't help that she still lived in the same apartment – their apartment. She should move out; she knew that.
Jody and her husband had invited her to dinner. She should have said no – made some excuse. It wouldn't have done any good because Jody would have known she was lying. Sarah had never been able to lie – unlike David.
“Hi mum.” Sarah's mother rang every other evening and always on Saturday mornings.
Sarah
“Even a broken clock's right twice a day,” Jody said.
“What??”
“Never mind. You'll work it out. Leeroy's here.”
The entire workforce had been called together in the canteen for an 'important announcement'. Arthur Leeroy wasn't renowned for his sunny disposition, but he looked even more solemn than usual.
“This doesn't look good,” Kathy said.
“Ladies and gentlemen. I hope you can all hear me. What about you at the back? Okay? Good. This is a copy of a press release which will be officially released in...” He checked his watch. “... in ten minutes time. I don't intend to read it word for word or we will be here all afternoon.”
“Better than working.” A voice from the back of the canteen.
“The gist of the press release is simple. Milners has today been acquired by International Cross Enterprises (I.C.E.).”
“Is that it?”
“That's as much as I can tell you.”
“What about our jobs?”
“I don't know any more than you do.”
“Who are International Cross whatever they are called.”
“I.C.E. is a multinational corporation with interests in any number of different sectors according to the press release.”
“What do they want with Milners?”
“We come as part of a package. As you probably already know – Milners is part of the Alexander Engineering Group of companies. I.C.E. has bought the whole group.”
*******
Back in the office, it was Kathy's turn to make the tea.
“You're the brainy one Sarah. What do you know about I.C.E.?”
“I've never heard of them, but then my psychology degree didn't include much in the way of business studies.”
“Do you reckon our jobs are safe?”
“I should think so.” Sarah had no idea, but couldn't see the point in worrying Jody. “Companies get taken over all the time.
“I wouldn't be so sure. Look at this!” Geoff was staring at his computer screen. “They sound like asset strippers.”
“What the hell is an asset stripper?” Kathy passed the cups of tea around.
“It means they buy companies, sell off the best bits, and then close them down.”
“I shouldn't worry about it yet.” Sarah knew Jody would. Married with two young children, her husband had been made redundant six months ago. He had found a job, but it was part-time minimum wage. Between the two of them, they barely covered their bills.
“Let's wait until there's something to worry about.
“Our new owner is a bit of all right.” Kathy was looking over Geoff's shoulder. “Look at this.”
The women crowded around Geoff's desk.
Andrew Cross – Chairman of International Cross Enterprises – pictured aboard his yacht
“He looks a right poser,” Geoff said.
“He can afford to be. He's bloody gorgeous.” Kathy sipped her tea. “And loaded too. He could have me if he played his cards right. What do you reckon Sarah?”
“You can have him.” Sarah walked back to her desk. The news reports which Geoff had found were worrying. I.C.E. had a bad reputation for company closures and mass redundancies. If the worse did come to the worse, it wouldn't be the end of the world for Sarah. In fact, it might be the kick up the backside she needed to force her to do something with her life. It was Kathy and Jody she worried for. Losing their wage would have a massive impact on their families.
Chapter 2
Weekends and evenings were the worst times. While she was at work, Sarah could forget about everything else. As soon as she got back home, the old memories came flooding back. It didn't help that she still lived in the same apartment – their apartment. She should move out; she knew that.
Jody and her husband had invited her to dinner. She should have said no – made some excuse. It wouldn't have done any good because Jody would have known she was lying. Sarah had never been able to lie – unlike David.
“Hi mum.” Sarah's mother rang every other evening and always on Saturday mornings.
Sarah
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