Solstice - The Goddess Awakens

Lola parked outside the newspaper office. She stormed in through the door, bypassing Jane without even acknowledging her, as if she too were co-conspirator in this front page story. Abbey, Sebastian and Drew were all perched at their desks. Sebastian was the first to see Lola come through the door. He was about to speak but Lola’s face was like stone, looking straight through him she glared at Abbey on her way through the office.

‘I’ll deal with you later!’ she spat venomously in her direction.

If Abbey could have crawled into the nearest crack she would have. Slamming the door behind her Lola headed towards her editor’s office, picking up a copy of the paper as she went. When she reached the top of the landing she could hear that he was on the phone. He was clearly in a bad mood.

‘Are you aware who owns this paper, Mr Tennyson?’ said Bryce.

Lola stopped short when she heard the solicitor’s name.

‘Don’t you dare threaten me, you little whipper-snapper!’ he shouted.

With that Lola strode into the room, throwing the paper on his desk. Bryce Neal was still on the phone, surveying her with disinterest. His obvious arrogance only served to buoy her boldness. Lola stood glaring at him, waiting for him to get off the phone.

‘I’m afraid we will have to continue this conversation later, Mr Tennyson, I see the cavalry has arrived,’ he said putting the phone down, while meeting Lola’s glare.

‘“Facts are facts, Lola. You’re a journalist and journalists deal in FACTS, Lola!” I don’t think it’s verbatim, but I’m sure it’s pretty close to the bullshit lecture you gave me. So, in light of that conversation, can you tell me how this piece of crap ended up on your front page, Mr Neal?’

Lola was seething, but she was always good under pressure, she always seemed to find the right words and the right tone. Raising his eyebrow dismissively, her editor motioned towards the chair in front of him.

‘Nice to see you too, Lola, would you like to take a seat?’

Laughing at his attempt to defuse the situation Lola refused his offer.

‘I won’t be staying long, sir. So who is this great source of yours then? Who is this person that knew Arthur so well?’

‘That is none of your business, Ms Paige,’ smiled Bryce. This only enraged Lola further, the fury growing and growing until she finally exploded.

‘None of my business. How dare you, you pompous prick? Arthur was family to me, it has everything to do with me, and I will not have his good name besmirched by you or anyone else. I will take you and this excuse for a paper to court. Then we’ll be able to see who this mystery source is that you’re hiding behind.’

Leaning back in his chair, Bryce began to examine his fingernails petulantly.

‘Are you threatening me, Miss Paige? Because that sounds very much like a threat.’ Leaning over the table his voice was even but there was no mistaking the venom in it. But Lola wouldn’t be backing down this time.

‘You better believe I am. You Creep!’

No way would he get the opportunity to treat her like his subordinate again. Lola stared down at him, her eyes blazing, matching the veracity in his. Suddenly Bryce lost resolve. He stood up in a burst, throwing the chair out from behind him, his jugular vein looked as though it was about to pop. His face was getting redder by the minute, and for a second Lola thought that he might take a heart attack. Slamming his hand down on the table he roared at her. It was so loud that she was sure those below could hear him. But she didn’t even flinch. ‘How dare you storm into my office and speak to me like that, who do you think you are?’

As he pointed at her menacingly, she saw the detail of one of his cufflinks. She was momentarily silenced when she recognised the tiny silver owl with the ruby-red eyes. That’s where she had seen it before. Was he one of the Hell Fire Club? It all made so much more sense to her now.

‘Who do I think I am?’ shouted Lola. ‘After the weekend I’ve just had, we could be here all day answering that question. The fact remains this paper had better be able to substantiate those vile accusations in a court of law. Otherwise, I will be expecting a full apology printed on the front page of your rag!’

‘Court?’ snorted Bryce sarcastically. ‘Who would be paying for that? Social Services?’ Lola was untouched by his snide remark. She had always known how men like Bryce Neal had viewed working-class girls like her. His type thought they were good for one thing and one thing only and it wasn’t intellectual stimulation.

‘You are pathetic,’ mocked Lola. ‘Really, you are! Haven’t you heard the news?’ she said smiling. ‘You’re not the only one with a very wealthy benefactor.’

Lola saw the confusion on his face turn to comprehension. Leaving her comment hanging in the air between them, she left the room slamming the door behind her.

Now it was Abbey’s turn. Descending the stairs two at time Lola burst into the office like a demon, her belly full of fire. Work had stopped completely, and she saw Abbey standing beside Drew. Heading towards her, Sebastian stood up to try and block her.

‘Come on, Lo, please calm down.’

But Lola looked straight through him.

‘Out of the way, Seb!’ she demanded, as she trained her eyes on Abbey, who stood out in front of Drew flicking her hair, with a look of defiance on her face.

‘So what do you want, Lola?’ mocked Abbey, the sound of her voice grating on Lola’s nerves, bringing back every snide remark, every smirk that she and Drew had shared at her expense.

Lola had lost control as pure rage burned inside her. She knew that she would regret it but in that moment standing there with just inches between them she didn’t care.

‘What do I want?’ hissed Lola between gritted teeth. ‘I want your head on a stick, you poisonous bitch.’

Lola stepped towards Abbey, who slowly backed into the corner like a trapped animal.

‘Who gave you the story, Abbey?’

Suddenly Drew stood in front of her pushing Lola back.

‘Get out of here, you tramp!’ he goaded.

‘Tramp?’ shouted Lola, finally losing her temper completely.

The ring began to pulse as if it was working in tandem with Lola’s emotional state. Drew was about three stone heavier than her, but she knew he wouldn’t stand a chance. She had never struck anyone in her life, except for self-defence in countless quarrels with her brothers. She had wanted to knock that sneer of his face from the first day she had stepped inside the Ballyvalley News. Lola could feel the power of the ring grow in harmony with her emotions. And then it just happened. She clenched her fist and then there was a flash of white light, too quick for anyone else to see it, but she did. Landing a punch right on Drew’s chin, he flew up onto the table landing with a crash.

Lola was momentarily taken a back; her first instinct was to see if he was okay. For a second she thought she had killed him. But then he tried to get up and fell back down. Abbey was in hysterics now crouched down in a ball in the corner sobbing uncontrollably.

‘I swear... Lo-Lola, I don’t know who the source is. Bryce gave me the story and told me to call a number. I’m sorry.’

Lola felt a bit sorry for her now, as her temper began to subside. She should have known that Abbey was only a pawn.

‘Where is the number he gave you, Abbey?’

‘It’s in my desk,’ said Abbey pointing to her top drawer.

Moving across the room Lola located a number on a yellow post-it.

‘Is this it?’ asked Lola, Abbey quickly nodded.

Turning to her own desk, Lola began to clear it out, throwing the contents and her Dictaphone into a clear plastic bag. Just as she was turning to leave, Bryce walked into the room to see the carnage that was Drew splayed out across the table.

‘Jane, Jane. Call the police!’

Composing herself Lola strode out the door of the Ballyvalley News for the last time. She was totally calm now, as if the person in there had been someone completely different. How could Bryce have betrayed Arthur like that considering he had been so good to him? It was Arthur who’d given him his start in journalism, through his numerous contacts. That was why he’d wanted Lola to go to the Ballyvalley News in the first place because he felt Bryce would give her a chance to learn and grow. Starting up the engine she headed for home.

Lola could hear her parents chatting in the kitchen as she closed the large front door behind her. She couldn’t face them right now. No doubt the police would be at her door at some stage. Exhausted, she headed straight to the book room. Closing the door behind her she lay sobbing on the couch. She had never felt so alone. She couldn’t even talk to her parents and now Aibgrene was gone. She had no one to confide in. Totally exhausted she pulled the fleece blanket that laid over the sofa around her cold and tired body and fell asleep.