‘Programme Four is pretty much well in the bag with Luca. We also have a short piece with friends who have felt thwarted or left behind as others moved on without them but, as you requested, we’ve tried to keep it positive and have got a great section on how to deal with bullies at school and in the workplace.’
‘We need some men in that one too,’ I said. ‘Maybe focus on how if men don’t nurture friendships, they can end up lonely – so not how friends can hurt, but how not having them can hurt.’
‘Sure, good idea, we’ll add that in,’ said Gary. ‘Programme five, friendships across the cultures, is also pretty well sorted. We also thought that in this programme, we’d feature ideas of where you can make friends.’
‘Where?’ asked Ally. ‘I’ll need to make some new ones, especially if I move.’
‘You’ve got us,’ said Jo.
‘Yes, but you’re not local. I need friends who’ll drop in on me and I on them; people with whom I can do things in everyday life – have a coffee, go for a walk – all the mundane everyday stuff.’
‘Research is showing shared interests are a great way to meet new people – book groups, walking groups, wine-tasting evenings,’ said Gary. ‘Whatever floats your boat. Anything that gets you out mingling with people. Then, of course, programme six is your story, Sara. I hear you’ve made some headway at last and have a contact with an old friend of Mitch’s.’
‘Yes. We’re meeting her this afternoon.’
‘You are? No one told me. It’s a bit short notice to send a camera crew but …’
‘Yes, about that Gary. Ally, Jo and I have talked about it and decided that we want to meet Rosie on our own, and if we do find Mitch as a result, we want to meet her on her own too. I think it might feel too intrusive if we take a camera crew along, plus if Rosie does lead us to Mitch, and it sounds as if she knows where she is, Mitch might think that the only reason we’ve been trying to find her is because we want material for a TV show.’
‘She could be very offended,’ said Jo. ‘As if we’re trying to capitalize on the story with little thought about her reaction.’
‘Especially now we have the news of her daughter looking for her too,’ said Jo.
‘Mitch was part of the reason that the idea for the programme came about,’ I said, ‘but now we’re so close to finding her, I don’t want such personal and private moments filmed for the whole world to see.’
Gary groaned. ‘But it could be TV gold, really emotional stuff. Audiences will love it.’
‘Tough,’ I said. ‘I remember working on a programme once after a fire in a school. I had an earpiece in, connecting me to the producer. I was interviewing one of the mothers whose child had been injured. She was barely keeping it together when I heard the producer’s voice in my ear whispering, ‘Get her to cry, we’re going to zoom in for a close-up shot.’ Heartless. I didn’t do it and I swore I’d never be involved in that kind of programme-making again.’
Gary looked sheepish. ‘It’s the world we work in. Our job is to get good stories.’
‘But not to take advantage of people at their most fragile or vulnerable moments. We still don’t know why Mitch gave up her daughter but, whatever the reason, I doubt if it’s something she’ll want broadcast to the public.’
Gary sighed. ‘Point taken. It’s your series so you call the shots but don’t rule out the cameras completely. At a later date, Mitch might agree to being filmed. Her daughter Lisa might agree too.’
‘Maybe, but first we have to arrange their reunion and then put them in the picture. If they don’t want to be a part of the series, I’m sure we could find someone else for the last programme. Maybe we could keep the material on where to make new friends for the last programme so we’d end on a really positive note. We can easily find people who’ve relocated and have good stories to tell about how they made a new social circle, that sort of thing.’
Gary put his head in his hands and sighed. ‘Fine, just keep me in the picture.’
‘And we can bring everyone from the series together, a big party, a sort of summing up. As well as how to make friends – we could get some experts in to give examples and advice. Go back to some of our celebrities; they can talk about how they made friends, how they sustain them, and we could incorporate those rules of friendship I’ve been working on’
Gary lifted his head. ‘Could work, I guess, but I’m not giving up on the idea that you and your pals will be there too, including Mitch and her daughter.’
*
Later that day, Rosie Mason greeted Ally, Jo and I like long-lost friends. She was a petite and attractive black lady, her hair braided in cornrows, and she was dressed in a leaf-green tunic and jeans and silver jewellery. She had the look of an artist or designer and exuded warmth and a sense of calm. I liked her immediately. She welcomed us and ushered us into her cosy sitting room. ‘I have news for you, but first get settled and I’ll make tea. Builder’s, camomile, green, peppermint, ginger, chai? We have the lot here. Remember back in the days when a cup of tea was a cup of tea; now it’s like a complicated questionnaire – and don’t even get me started on coffee.’
‘Earl Grey,’ said Jo. ‘We all like that.’
‘Women after my own heart. Now get comfy and I’ll be back in a jiff.’
She returned soon after with a tray laden with cups, teapot, and what looked like home-made cake.
‘Lemon
