Secrets in Pelican Crossing (Pelican Crossing #2)

Thirty-six

‘Wow, Dad. It looks great.’ Adele held the paper up, open at the full-page spread headed, Save the Courier .

Finn put down his coffee and swallowed his last bite of toast before taking the paper from her. He knew what it looked like, he’d been the one responsible for putting it together, he’d seen the rushes, but somehow it looked different over breakfast at his own kitchen table.

The headline shouted out the message. There could be no mistake. Finn was afraid of the reprisals which might come when the owners saw it. But before that, it would be seen and read by everyone in Pelican Crossing.

‘What is it, Grandy?’ Sandy pushed in between Finn and the paper to see what was taking his attention. Bluey tried to get in too, but Finn pushed the dog away.

'A special page your granddad wrote for today’s paper,’ Adele said. ‘It’s a big deal, Dad,’ she said to Finn, pouring him another cup of coffee. ‘I suspect you’re going to need this. You’ll have a big day ahead of you once this gets out.’

‘I guess you’re right.’ Finn hadn’t really considered how the Pelican Crossing community might react to the news being revealed so starkly in their local paper.

As soon as he walked into the office he found out.

‘The phone hasn’t stopped ringing,’ Chloe said. His PA, usually a calming influence in the office, seemed frazzled, despite it being early in the day. ‘I’ve left messages on your desk, but I don’t know how you’re going to answer all of them. ’

‘Thanks.’ Finn walked into his office to see a pile of yellow post-it notes on the desk. He groaned.

‘Most of the comments were positive,’ Chloe said, popping her head round the door. ‘The mayor wants you to call him as soon as you can. Coffee?’

‘Yes, please.’ Finn looked at the pile of messages. It would take him all day to reply, and this was just the start. There had to be a better way. He picked up the phone to call Joe.

‘Well done!’ Joe said as soon as he answered Finn’s call. ‘I’ve been receiving calls about it since I got in here at seven o’clock.’

‘You, too.’ Finn grimaced.

‘All good, Finn. People want to help. I’ve already had several promises of donations. The thermometer should be up on the wall later today and…’

There was the signal of an incoming call on Finn’s phone from a number he recognised. It hadn’t taken the owners long to react.

‘Sorry, Joe. Can I call you back? The big boss is on the other line.’

‘Sure thing. How about we meet for lunch? The Grand ? You’ll likely feel like a beer by then.’

‘Thanks, sounds good.’ Finn ended the call and picked up the other one. ‘Finn Hunter here,’ he said, his heart beginning to race.

‘Hunter, what the hell were you thinking? That full-page notice in today’s issue was way out of line. Why on earth did you agree to print it, and how did some loony local get word of our proposed changes?’

Finn took a deep breath. ‘I didn’t know it was a secret,’ he said. ‘These things get out in small towns like Pelican Crossing. The local newspaper is the town’s lifeblood. People don’t want to lose it. What did you expect me to do?’

‘What you were told. There’d be a hefty bonus for you if you toed the line and let things progress as planned. But this…’ Finn heard the caller expel his breath, ‘… you can’t expect us to take it lying down. There will be consequences, mark my words. You’ll be hearing from us.’

The call ended leaving Finn staring at the phone. At least he’d managed to avoid owning up to creating the page, but regardless of who’d initiated it, he’d approved it. This was the first he’d heard any mention of a hefty bonus, and he suspected it was empty words prompted by the notice of the campaign. He exhaled with something like relief; the battle was on.

*

Liz called as Finn was about to go to lunch.

‘Congratulations,’ she said, ‘that’s quite an announcement. Everyone’s talking about it here this morning and wanting to help. You’ll have no shortage of supporters. What’s it like in the office?’

‘Don’t ask! We’re inundated with calls, and I had a threatening one from the big boss. I may not have a job this time next week,’ Finn said ruefully, his boss’s message finally sinking in. ‘But who needs them?’

‘Oh, Finn, I’m sorry, I didn’t think…’

‘I guess it was to be expected. They thought they could close us down quietly and no one would know till it happened. They didn’t take into account the Pelican Crossing community.’

‘Or the editor of The Crossing Courier .’

‘I guess not.’

‘What happens now?’

‘I’m meeting Joe for lunch. I should actually be there now.’

‘Well, I won’t keep you. Just remember, this is a good thing you’re doing. The town needs you.’

‘Thanks.’

It was only after he ended the call that Finn realised he had been so full of his own concerns he hadn’t asked Liz about Tilly’s first day at school or if there was any change with Mandy. He’d call her back later, he decided, when he had more time.

As before, Joe had two beers already poured and sitting on the bar. When Finn walked in, he picked them up and headed to a quiet spot. ‘I ordered ham and cheese rolls. Hope that’s okay. I thought they’d be easy to eat while we talked.’

‘Fine.’ Finn didn’t care what he ate. He wasn’t hungry. The call from the consortium had taken away his appetite. He took a welcome gulp of beer, which went some way to improving his mood.

‘What did your boss have to say?’

‘About what I expected. He ranted on about the loony local who’d submitted the information and my stupidity and disloyalty for publishing it, threatened all sorts.’ Finn took another slug of beer.

Their rolls arrived and Joe bit into one and pushed the other towards Finn. ‘Eat. You need to keep up your strength. ’

‘Hmph.’

‘I think we’re on the verge of something big, Finn, given the calls I’ve had already. A couple of thousand pledged and…’

‘We’re going to need a lot more than that,’ Finn said, taking a bite of his roll and grimacing. ‘I might not have a job next week.’ He repeated what he’d said to Liz. ‘They’re going to come down hard on me.’

‘So what? All the more time to work on the campaign.’ Joe wasn’t to be discouraged. ‘We knew it wouldn’t go down well with the consortium, but the town is behind us.’

‘I don’t know, Joe. What if they won’t let us buy the paper?’

‘Then we’ll start our own.’

Finn stared at his friend. Start their own? It hadn’t occurred to him. But they could. The building that housed The Courier belonged to the council. With enough money they could replace the fixtures and fittings if the consortium decided to play hardball and remove them.

‘It’s not like you to give up so easily,’ Joe said.

Suddenly, Finn was filled with a new resolve. ‘You’re right, Joe. You always are. Sorry, it’s been quite a morning, but you’re right. I can’t let the bastards win.’

The rest of their lunch was taken up with plans for the campaign, and by the time he returned to the office and picked up the phone to call Liz, Finn was back on top of things.

‘I’m sorry I was so wrapped up in my own problems when we last spoke,’ he said. ‘How was Tilly’s first day at school, and what about Mandy?’

Finn felt himself begin to relax and even managed a laugh as Liz told him about Tilly’s impressions of school, but he became more concerned when she told him of Tara’s lack of success with Mandy. ‘I’m so sorry,’ he said. ‘I wish there was something I could do.’

‘There isn’t,’ Liz said, ‘but thanks for wanting to help. I just have to be patient… not one of my better traits. Can you get away tonight… join Tilly and me for dinner? It won’t be anything special, but…’

‘I’d love to, thanks. I’m sure Adele won’t mind, and I can read Sandy his story before I leave. Around seven?’

‘Perfect.’

Finn ended the call with a sense of wellbeing. He was going to see Liz tonight and although Tilly’s presence might prevent them from making love, the very thought of her sweet face made him want to whoop with joy.