Read Online Polls Apart by Clare Stephen-Johnston - Free Book Online Page A

woman.” Anna jabbed her finger at the picture while Libby nodded vigorously to show her support.
    “For what it’s worth, Henry says Richard’s mortified by that photo. He said it was the one time he cracked a smile all evening,” Joy piped in.
    “Yeah right,” sneered Anna. “He looks just devastated doesn’t he. Well, he doesn’t hold all the cards you know.”
    “What do you mean?” Joy asked.
    “I mean I’ve got about fifty messages on my mobile phone from newspaper editors and reporters asking me to call them. And I’ve just decided it’s time to make that call.”
    “To who?” Joy asked again.
    “To the Sunday Echo .” Anna reached onto the kitchen surface behind her and grabbed her mobile phone.
    “Look Anna, don’t do anything rash,” Joy said, her face flushed with something that looked to Libby like panic. “Let’s just talk this one over and decide if it’s the right thing to do.”
    “I’ve thought it over,” Anna said sharply. “I’m not having them run ten more pages of shit this weekend if there’s a chance I can actually get the truth out there instead. You don’t actually think I’m going to sit back and let the media paint me as some cheap whore who slept her way to the top when I’ve had to fight for every little scrap of success that’s ever come my way.”
    Joy opened her mouth to speak but Anna fixed her with a look that said “don’t even try to dissuade me”, so she shrugged in defeat. “You’ve obviously made your mind up, Anna. Maybe Henry was right to say a showbiz PR like me doesn’t get the bigger picture – certainly none of you seem willing to listen to me any more. But I’ve been in this game a long time and I can tell you the one thing I know: the media is like a pack of hungry dogs, and if you feed them a juicy bone they will never leave you alone.”
    “I think her message is clear,” Libby said, suddenly cutting in. “She’s been spat out by Richard like a piece of gristle when, in actual fact, she’s the one person in this entire situation that has some integrity. Soon the public’s going to see that and Richard, and your husband, are going to have a bit of explaining to do.” Libby arched her eyebrow defiantly before flashing Joy a forced smile.
    Once again, Anna found herself caught in the middle between her old friend, Joy, and someone she loved and didn’t want to betray. She knew Joy was only trying to help, but she was so entwined with Henry – and Richard – that it just didn’t seem right that she should be involved right now. So instead Anna sat silently and watched Joy collect her bag and jacket and make her excuses to leave. She could tell Joy felt humiliated – as she had when Henry shot her suggestions down at the house the previous weekend.
    Anna wanted to stand up and tell her not to be so silly and to stay; that they were all on the same side really. But it was too late. She had to stay loyal to the one person she had ever really needed. Someone who would fight to the last to protect her: Libby.

5
Lloyd Wronged by “Merciless” SDP Leader, Says PM
W ednesday, 1 st April, 2009 , UK Newswire – The Prime Minister today branded Social Democrat leader Richard Williams “merciless” for announcing a separation from his wife over claims she had previously worked as an escort girl.
    Kelvin Davis said Williams had treated Anna Lloyd “like a disposable commodity that had ceased to suit his carefully-manufactured image” and called on the opposition leader to publicly apologise to the actress for his actions.
    Speaking to the BBC ’s For the Record programme, Davis said: “I feel sickened by the merciless way in which Williams has treated Anna who, let’s not forget, is a much respected actress who the people of this country have a great deal of affection for.
    “It is just a pity that Williams doesn’t seem to share that respect or affection. What we’re looking at here is a man who is willing to cast off his own