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
She crunches toast. “What am I making
You can talk him through what you've been doing and perhaps give him
his investment?” I
but he wants Beth to be active in the project, so I made a point
more toast. “No problem.
“Charles.”
of self-defence does he
defend herself, or a man for that matter, he seems happy to teach it.” He
chews on her
“Something wrong?”
like?
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
and her gaze
???
along if that's okay,”
more
lobby. Michael steps
waiting, tall, blond, powerfully built. Michael strides forward, hand offered. “Charles, great to see you.
a firm shake. “You too, Michael. I’ve been looking forward
introduce you. This is my friend James and
you, James." He offers his hand,
Instantly likeable…
past me to settle on Charlotte
she has been lurking behind me. “Hello, Chad.” She looks down, then at me, then at Michael. “Um, let me introduce
his eyes wild,
hand on his shoulder. “Yes, husband. Hi, Chad. You might
Michael
is silent
The receptionist is staring…
teach you
Time to take charge…
we
*****
head for
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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