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

himself and Charlotte then passes the jug to me. “Charlotte, can you make yourself

crunches toast. “What am I making

you 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

up on his investment?”

the project, so I made a point of inviting them. Give her the opportunity to

“No problem. What's he

“Charles.”

marmalade over the butter. “And what kind of self-defence does he do? Does he specialise in anything particular? Judo,

matter, he seems happy to teach it.” He reaches for the coffeepot. “Certainly the clients in the City have been very

her

“Something wrong?”

like? This

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 checks the screen. “Ah,... That's him arriving

toast and her gaze travels

???

if that's

smile is sunny. “The more the

for the hotel lobby. Michael

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

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

me introduce you. This is my friend James and my

He

Instantly likeable…

travels past me to settle on Charlotte

behind me. “Hello, Chad.” She looks down, then at me, then

eyes

husband. Hi, Chad. You might like to know that your employer

Michael stand

etiquette is silent

The receptionist is staring…

teach you manners,

Time to take charge…

“Charlotte… Perhaps we

*****

for the

through to the lounge, Michael and Charlotte following, he swirls around, gives an

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