Read Online Blaze by Di Morrissey - Free Book Online Page B

Blaze in Sydney will certainly put you on the map.’
    â€˜Big fish in a small pond, eh?’ Ali managed a weak smile. ‘Of course I’m very flattered, Nina. It’s just not what I expected . . .’
    â€˜Ali, I am hoping to announce your promotion as soon as possible, before the announcement of Irene and her deputy on Friday. But if you want to think this over, please do. Keep in mind that Blaze is the jewel of one of the biggest media empires in the world. Not many people as young as you have the opportunity to be part of something new and exciting within such an organisation. Make it work in Australia and you’ll write your ticket to the world.’
    â€˜And how long would that be?’ Ali was still in shock. And furious, Nina was so out of touch. Most of the new magazine editors nowadays were barely thirty. Nina was still acting as if you had to wait for the old birds to drop off the perch before you could move up a notch. It didn’t work that way any more. The strongest of the young birds pushed the mother and siblings out of the nest these days. Cuckoo-land ruled Nina, she thought. When was Nina going to recognise she couldn’t keep hanging on to her position? Maybe she was feeling insecure and going back to Australia for someone in her position was a pretty safe option. God, Australia. What a nightmare.
    Nina smiled. ‘Twelve-month contract, renewable for another twelve months. You can thrash out the details with Roberto. However, once in Australia you will be answerable to me as editor-in-chief.’
    â€˜Nina, no offence, but just how much say would I have?’ asked Ali. ‘If I am to grow into the company and write my own ticket, I would need to make my own decisions for the magazine. And the move would be expensive for me.’ A sinking feeling of resignation that she had no option began to surface in Ali. Therefore she’d better make the most of it.
    â€˜I agree. You know I don’t like to interfere with my editors. I understand editors need to establish their own authority. I’m going out next week to finalise details of the new offices and to talk to existing staff. Part of the deal was retaining the main core of workers. However, in addition to yourself, I will be taking Manny Golan to train a new financial vice-president. I also want a deputy editor that we know is capable and creative. I haven’t raised it yet, but I would like that person to be Larissa. I know there are terrific people in Australia, but Blaze has a certain ethos and a look that you both understand. Once you are installed as editor, and once the first edition is ready to go to press, I’m off to Europe for three months or so and you’ll be on your own. You know I’ve always believed an editor should edit a magazine, not the editor-in-chief. Those three months will be your baptism.’
    Ali looked out the window, past the round table Nina used as a desk. A whirlwind of feelings and thoughts were rushing through her. But her face showed no emotion.
    â€˜Think about it, Ali. If there is a problem, money . . . your personal life . . .’
    Nina let the sentence hang. As far as she was aware, Ali was very unattached. But perhaps this was not the case. She was frankly surprised Ali had not leapt at the job offer. ‘Should you accept, I will leave it up to you to persuade Larissa to come on board as your deputy. Offer her a twelve-month contract to start. She probably won’t agree to leave her life in New York longer than that. I think it will be an exciting adventure for everyone.’
    Nina and the Baron, arms linked, walked slowly around Central Park across from Fifth Avenue.
    â€˜I will miss you, dearest Nina.’
    â€˜I’ll be back here regularly. Thank you for allowing me to keep the company penthouse. I hope you will come to Australia and see me, as well as keep a paternal eye on our new Blaze .’
    â€˜You know I