Making Headlines by Jennifer Hansen Page A

under time, but what went to air was at least a little less gabbled. She returned to her desk, relief washing over her. Her first morning of updates had ended.
    Julia was on the phone discussing a court story with a lawyer. She winked at Rachel, giving her a thumbs-up sign. It didn’t make her feel any better.
    Without a moment to recover, Rob summoned her to the COS desk. He didn’t mention her newsreading debut. ‘The Melbourne Cup’s on in a few months. Some milliners’ collective is putting on a preview parade of what’s hot this year for chicks to put on their heads. Know much about hats, Rachel?’
    â€˜Not really, but I’m sure it won’t be too hard.’ It was another fluff story, but after the updates debacle, she hardly cared.
    â€˜Great. Give them a call then.’ Rob handed her a media release with phone numbers scrawled next to names.
    She whistled softly. Rob had actually helped her with a little research of his own. She looked up from the list to meet his eyes. He shuffled uncomfortably. ‘Well get on with it. The news does go to air at six o’clock, you know,’ he said, frowning.
    Rachel went to work.
    The story fell together like a jigsaw puzzle that had been thrown in the air and landed in one picture-perfect piece. Three interviews with milliners, swirling shots ofmodels posing in beautiful hats, a fashion editor of a magazine giving her views, then back to the newsroom in time for a tape editor to be creative. She even managed to nab Dan, who in the last month, had started shooting ahead of his peers on the technical front and was proving a genius with special effects and music.
    As Dan finished up, Mitch stuck his head in the door. ‘Hey, Rach, you got a minute? There’s something I wanted to talk to you about.’
    Dan ejected the disc and stood up. ‘Come on in, mate. We’re done. Good job, Rach.’ He walked out and Mitch swung inside, taking a seat.
    He looked at her directly. A bolt of attraction kicked in as their eyes met. He turned to close the sliding door. ‘Look, I’m sorry I didn’t get a chance to talk to you before now, but I wanted to sort out what happened over the posters.’
    â€˜Sure. What did you want to say?’
    â€˜Well, you made a good point and you’re right — they’re not appropriate, and as head editor I have to accept some responsibility. So I’ve issued a memo to the guys explaining some new rules. They may see the edit suites as their own personal offices but other people have to work in them so they have to remove any offensive stuff. Just thought I’d let you know, and I’m sorry you were upset by it.’
    He sat, hands pointed upwards together under his chin, waiting for her reaction. It was the last thing she’d expected from a man she’d assumed too arrogant for apologies.
    â€˜Oh. I see.’ She paused, caught by those blue eyes that seemed to know her. A flush swept over her cheeks. ‘Well, thank you. That’s one small step in the battle for equality. And talking about that day, I should say I’m sorry I jumped to conclusions about the edit suite being yours. I made some pretty rash comments, so I apologise for that.’
    â€˜That’s okay,’ Mitch said, smiling slowly. ‘All sorted then? Well, I’ll get back to work. Guess you’ll be heading home soon after your early start?’ He stood up to open the door.
    â€˜I probably will. Need to get to bed early to cope with these early starts.’
    â€˜Sleep well,’ he said, smiling suggestively.
    Just those two words set her mind racing. Sleep, bed, Mitch . . . As he walked away he reminded her of the actor Matthew McConaughey with his languid charm. Then a wave of guilt swept over her as she thought about Tim and Damien. She had enough going on right now without additional complications.
    Unsettled, she returned to her desk, watching Julia