Darn It! Read Online Free PDF

Alva, across Imogen.
    ‘Thanks,’ said Nicki, pleased despite herself. She smoothed the skirt down over her legs.
    ‘Of course, it was nice seven seasons ago,’ Alva continued airily. ‘Has it been in your wardrobe all this time?’
    ‘Ten seconds!’
    ‘Give it up,’ said Alva, shaking her head at her. ‘You’re way out of your depth here.’
    There was no time to come up with a reply.
    ‘Hi, and welcome back to Focus Hibernia,’ said Danielle, smiling at camera one. ‘Tonight we’re looking at the plight of people who choose to care for seriously ill relatives at home, and the lack of support that they’re currently receiving from the government.’
    Greg took up the narrative. ‘Tonight is an extra special edition, because instead of having one in-depth report, we have two! Now that Regina has moved on to new pastures, we decided to let you, the viewers, decide who the next lead investigative reporter is. Nicki and Alva are both seasoned researchers for the showThey both went out to talk to some of the carers, and put together a report. The one that gets the most votes from you will go on lead up the segment every week. You can vote by calling or texting the numbers on screen, through our website, or on Twitter, by naming the reporter of your choice using the hashtag #focushibernia.’
    ‘I think we’ll have a look at both reports, and then come back to Alva, Nicki and with carer Imogen, to discuss this. People have been voting all week long on our website, but if you have a preference you have to vote!’
    The video started to roll, meaning that they were no longer live on air.
    ‘I’m going to get some water,’ said Alva, uncrossing her legs and walking off-set.
    ‘God, she’s horrible,’ said Imelda.
    Nicki giggled. ‘Yeah, she is. She’s not usually as rude as she was just then, though.’
    ‘Then the vote must be close,’ said Imelda.
    ‘Are you kidding?’ said Nicki. ‘You must have seen the two reports, hers is amazing!’
    ‘It’s very slick and fancy, but it’s all about her,’ said Imelda. ‘That’s why I wouldn’t let her anywhere near my Colin; I could see from the second she walked in the door that she couldn’t believe that I live such a dreary life. You couldn’t confide in her, open up to her. She’s cold. I mean, she might be great talking to politicians, but she’s just not interested in other people. She lashed out because she’s worried.’
    ‘But there’s no way that she could know how the voting is going,’ said Nicki.
    ‘Really?’ said Imelda. ‘There’s no one who could even give her the slightest indication?’
    Nicki looked at Alva as she walked towards her. She was beautiful: of course there was some guy in the backroom who could have tipped her off.
    But if Imelda was right, that meant that she could actually have a chance at this? That couldn’t be right. From the second she’d heard about it, she’d dismissed her chances.
    ‘If you want it you’re going to have to fight for it,’ said Imelda. ‘If I’m right, and the vote is very close, she’s going to try to undermine you on air.’
    The bud of elation that had begun to flower in her stomach withered and died. Verbal sparring with Alva onscreen sounded like her personal version of hell.
    Sorcha was waving and smiling at her from the edge of the set. Nicki tried to relax her clenched shoulder muscles as the crew prepared to go back to the studio.
    ‘So, there’s obviously a lot of issues brought up in that footage,’ said Danielle. ‘What do you think, Alva, is the most important challenge facing carer’s today?’
    ‘Undoubtedly, it’s the lack of funds,’ says Alva. She went on to quote some statistics. As she spoke, Nicki began to see the truth in what Imelda was saying. Alva looked the part and she was a natural on camera. But her tone and register were more suited to a political or current affairs programme. Nicki looked at Danielle, and could see the slight frown on her