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

me. “Charlotte, can you make yourself available after breakfast for

crunches toast. “What am I making

like to introduce you to the new self-defence trainer. The other new staff too when they arrive this afternoon, but him in particular. You can talk

on his investment?” I

I made a

more toast. “No

“Charles.”

“And what kind of self-defence does he do? Does he specialise

or a man for that matter, he seems happy to teach it.” He reaches for the coffeepot. “Certainly the clients in the City have been very happy with him. But

chews on her toast,

“Something wrong?”

he look like? This

blond, blue-eyed strapping guy but I'm almost certain he's gay, so the women are comfortable with him when it has to

down her toast and her gaze travels

???

I'll tag along if that's okay,”

smile is sunny. “The more the merrier.

hotel lobby. Michael steps smartly,

blond, powerfully built. Michael strides forward, hand offered. “Charles,

a firm shake. “You too, Michael. I’ve been

me introduce you. This is my friend James and my

you, James." He offers his

Instantly likeable…

gaze travels past me to settle on

Chad.” She looks down, then at me, then at Michael.

eyes wild,

shoulder. “Yes, husband. Hi, Chad. You might like to know that your employer is my second

and Michael stand

etiquette is silent

The receptionist is staring…

no-one teach

Time to take charge…

Perhaps we

*****

for

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

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