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Keith winked at Kate, who burst out laughing Heather held open the door and stood back to allow a distinguished-looking gentleman with a head of silver hair to enter the room
“Good , Prime Minister,” Keith said, as he rose froreet Robert Menzies The two men shook hands before Keith turned round to introduce Kate, as trying to hide in the corner of the room “I don’t think you’ve met Kate Tulloh, Pri reporters I know she was hoping to get an intervieith you at some point”
“I should be delighted,” said Menzies “Why don’t you give my office a call, Miss Tulloh, and we can fix a time?”
For the next two days Keith was unable to get Kate out of hiswas certain: she didn’t fit into any of his well-ordered plans
When they had sat down to lunch, the prime minister had wondered why his host was so preoccupied Townsend showed little interest in his innovative proposals for curbing the power of the trades unions, despite the fact that his papers had been pressing the government on the subject for several years
Townsend wasn’t a great deal , when he chaired theIn fact, for a est coly uncommunicative One or two of his fellow-directors wondered if he was going doith so When he addressed the board on ite over a sland, few of the the journey He totally failed to convince the hile could possibly come out of it
Once the boardwas over and the directors had dispersed, Townsend returned to his office and re over papers until Heather finally left for the evening He checked his watch as the door closed behind her It was a few minutes past seven, which reminded him how late she normally worked He didn’t pick up the phone until he was sure she wasn’t going to return, then he dialed the three digits that would put hih to the editor’s desk
“Bruce, this trip I’ with me to make sure that if the story breaks, you’ll be the first to hear about it”
“What are you hoping to buy this time?” asked Bruce “The Times?”
“No, not on this trip,” replied Townsend “I’ht make a profit”
“Why don’t I call Ned Brewer at the London bureau? He’s the obvious man to follow up any story”
“I’m not sure it’s a job for the bureau chief,” said Townsend “I’land for several days, looking at print works,to decide which editors to retain I wouldn’t want Ned to be away froth of time”
“I suppose I could spare Ed Makins for a week But I’d need hi of Parliaht and Menzies does announce a bill to curb the powers of the trades unions”
“No, no, I don’t need so I’ll be away A good junior could do the job” He paused, but Bruce irl you sent up to interview me the other day,” he said “What was her name?”
“Kate Tulloh,” said Bruce “But she’s far too young and inexperienced for somethi