Michael

Richard waves me to a seat. “All working out with the hotel then, Michael? How's my investment coming along?”

“It's all going pretty well. In fact, I was going to ask if you're free one day next week.”

“For?”

“For coming up to the hotel and meeting the new staff. I've been trialling them down at the City Centre, but I'm happy with them now.”

“All good?”

“Some.” I rock a hand. “I shed a couple who didn't come up to the mark but I'm left with a team I'm very happy with. They're all multifunctional but specialising in different areas.”

“Those areas being?”

“One is a qualified swimming instructor, which means among other things, that we can make visits a full family affair. The parents can bring the kids and there's someone to keep an eye on them in the pool.”

“Sounds good. And the others?”

“One is a chiropractor cum masseur…”

“Which frees up your time...”

“Exactly. She does aromatherapy too. And the third can take charge of the self-defense classes.”

“Which frees up Charlotte.”

“Quite. So, if you would like to, you and Beth can meet them all and maybe you'd like to use the facilities while you're there?”

“I'm sure Elizabeth would want to. Massage and aromatherapy would be just the sort of thing she’d enjoy. And of course afterwards, she can tell her friends about it.”

“I sort of had that in mind myself.”

*****

James

jug to me. “Charlotte, can you make yourself

“What am I making

him in particular. You can talk him

his investment?” I

he wants Beth to be active in the project, so I

toast. “No problem. What's he called?

“Charles.”

kind of self-defence

man for that matter, he seems happy to teach it.” He reaches for the coffeepot. “Certainly the clients

on her toast, her

“Something wrong?”

does he look like? This Charles the

Given that the clientele here is mainly female, he's real eye-candy. Big, blond, blue-eyed strapping guy but I'm almost certain he's gay, so the women are comfortable with him when it has to get physical.”

toast and

???

tag along if that's okay,” I

smile is sunny. “The more the merrier.

lobby. Michael steps smartly,

man stands waiting, tall, blond, powerfully built. Michael strides forward, hand

a firm shake. “You too, Michael. I’ve

is my friend James

James." He

Instantly likeable…

to settle on

“Hello, Chad.” She looks down, then at me, then at Michael. “Um, let me introduce you both to my first

his eyes wild,

lays a hand on his shoulder. “Yes, husband. Hi, Chad. You might like to know that your employer is my second

Michael stand

etiquette is silent

The receptionist is staring…

no-one teach

Time to take charge…

we should go somewhere more

*****

head for the

nothing, but as I gesture him through to the lounge, Michael and Charlotte following, he swirls around, gives an apologetic

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