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
and Charlotte then passes the jug to me. “Charlotte, can you make yourself
toast. “What am I making myself
can talk him through what you've been doing and perhaps give him an overview of
his
active in the project, so I
more toast. “No problem. What's
“Charles.”
self-defence
defend herself, or a man for that matter, he seems happy to
on her
“Something wrong?”
like? This Charles
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.” His phone beeps and he
down her toast and
???
if that's
Michael’s smile is sunny. “The more the merrier. Let's make him
lobby. Michael steps smartly, but Charlotte hangs
tall, blond, powerfully built. Michael strides forward, hand offered. “Charles, great to see you. Thanks
with a firm shake. “You too, Michael. I’ve been looking forward to seeing
This is my friend
you, James." He offers
Instantly likeable…
his gaze travels past me to settle on
down, then at me, then at Michael. “Um, let me introduce you
his eyes wild,
a hand on his shoulder. “Yes, husband. Hi, Chad. You might like to know that your employer is
Michael stand
is silent on this
The receptionist is staring…
no-one teach
Time to take charge…
“Charlotte… Perhaps we should go
*****
for the
Chad… says nothing, but as I gesture him through to the lounge, Michael and Charlotte following, he swirls
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