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
Charlotte then passes the jug to me. “Charlotte, can you make yourself available after breakfast for half an
She crunches toast. “What am I making myself available
to the new self-defence trainer. The other new staff too when they arrive this afternoon, but him in particular. You can talk him through what you've
his investment?” I
Beth to be active in the project, so I made a point of inviting
more toast. “No problem. What's he called? This
“Charles.”
the butter. “And what kind of self-defence does he do? Does he specialise in anything
matter, he seems happy to
her toast, her brow
“Something wrong?”
he look like? This
blue-eyed strapping guy but I'm almost certain he's gay,
down her toast and her gaze travels
???
along if
Michael’s smile is sunny. “The more the merrier. Let's make
lobby. Michael steps smartly,
tall, blond, powerfully built. Michael strides forward,
with a firm shake. “You too, Michael. I’ve been looking forward to seeing the
introduce you. This is my friend
to meet you, James." He offers his hand, smiling
Instantly likeable…
past me to settle on Charlotte
me. “Hello, Chad.” She looks down, then at me, then at Michael. “Um, let me
his eyes wild,
Hi, Chad. You might like to know that your employer
and Michael stand
book of etiquette is silent on this
The receptionist is staring…
teach you manners,
Time to take charge…
we should go
*****
for the
Michael and Charlotte following, he swirls around, gives an
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