Read Online Maralinga by Judy Nunn - Free Book Online Page A

interview and I made an appointment for E. J. Hoffmann, I didn’t say I was Hoffmann, it’s true, but then I didn’t say I wasn’t. I didn’t lie and they didn’t enquire. It was their automatic assumption that made everything so easy.’
    Daniel studied her knowingly. He recognised the passionate gleam in her eyes. Elizabeth was out to make a point.
    â€˜They’d assumed the application for employment had come from a man,’ she continued, ‘and they assumed when I telephoned that I was that man’s secretary. At least, I assume that’s what they assumed,’ she added in all seriousness, feeling she should be fair, ‘but I know I’m right. Now I ask you honestly, doesn’t that say something?’
    â€˜Yes. It says you’re cunning, devious and manipulative.’
    â€˜For goodness sake, Danny, I’m talking about the male attitude to women in the workplace and –’
    â€˜Of course you are, and your tea’s stone cold. Shall I order another pot?’ He’d drunk two cups while hers had remained untouched.
    â€˜I’m raving on, aren’t I?’
    â€˜Not yet, but you’re about to,’ he said agreeably. ‘And I’d rather hear the outcome of the interview if that’s all right with you. Shall I order more tea?’
    â€˜No, thanks.’ Elizabeth was not in the least offended. She adored having a friend like Danny who knew her so well and always spoke his mind. ‘I’d much prefer a walk.’
    â€˜Good.’ He stood and offered her his arm. ‘So would I.’
    The late summer sun was warm and the day inviting as they turned into High Street, automatically heading for Princes Gardens.
    â€˜So what happens now?’ Daniel asked, trying to sound nonchalant. ‘I presume they’re going to offer you a job?’
    â€˜They already have.’
    â€˜Oh.’
    â€˜Well, more or less. Lionel has to run everythingby the editor-in-chief, but he says that’s really only a matter of courtesy.’
    â€˜Lionel. First names already – I’m impressed.’ Daniel was desperately reminding himself that London was only thirty miles away, and that this wasn’t exactly the end of the world, although he was starting to feel it might be.
    â€˜Yes, I was impressed myself, but he was quite insistent. All my feature writers call me Lionel, my dear. ’ Her impersonation was amusing. ‘ I see no reason why E. J. Hoffmann should be an exception.’
    They’d arrived at the gardens, but they progressed no further as Daniel came to an abrupt halt.
    â€˜ Feature writer? You didn’t tell me that.’
    â€˜Of course not. I was leaving the best bit till last.’
    â€˜Elizabeth, that’s incredible.’ He was genuinely amazed. ‘It must be, surely. I mean, how many women feature writers would there be at The Guardian ?’
    â€˜None. Well, none working under their own names anyway. Perhaps there are other E. J. Hoffmanns lurking behind closed doors – how could one possibly know?’ She laughed lightly. ‘From now on, I shall be highly suspicious of any newspaper article featuring the journalist’s initials.’
    â€˜Really? Do you think that’s true?’
    â€˜No, Danny, I don’t think it’s true at all.’ She was no longer joking but in deadly earnest. ‘I think I’m being offered the chance of a lifetime, perhaps even the opportunity to create history.’
    His look was curious, although he didn’t doubt her for a moment. In his opinion Elizabeth was capable of anything.
    â€˜My articles will appear under the name E. J. Hoffmann,’ she explained, ‘but once I’ve proved myself, I intend to fight tooth and nail for my own by-line. I want to be recognised as the first woman feature writer in the history of The Guardian. ’ She smiled as she once again took his arm. ‘In the