‘That’s the only move you’re capable of, you shit! You won’t last five minutes in my job. Travel Plan will fold without me. You’ll all be on your hands and knees begging me to come back – but it will be too late! I’ve had competitors falling over themselves for me to join them, but I remained loyal and look where it got me. Well, now we shall see. You’re all talent less shits and without me you’ll get what you deserve.’ She spat the words out and Natasha could feel droplets hitting Barrie’s face. She took out a handkerchief and mopped them off. Pauline Sykes looked extremely embarrassed, but Basil Main shrugged and smiled. ‘I’m sure you’re right Sally, but let’s get these to your car, shall we?’ Sally tossed her head; stuck her nose in the air and strode out from the lift.
Natasha thought about waiting for Pauline and Basil to return, but decided they could be sometime. Walking from the lift to Barrie’s office she wondered who told Sally that Barrie was taking her job. As he pushed open the door she heard something behind Barrie’s desk. His large black leather chair was facing away from the door, which was unusual. It slowly swung around to reveal a smiling Penny Betts, who had one leg tucked under the other, exposing a large expanse of inner thigh. She was wearing stockings and suspenders and looked incredibly sexy. Natasha groaned to herself, willing Barrie’s ’old boy’ to behave. No favours for old time sake today, she was sure that even Barrie would not be able to manage it – then she felt the familiar twitch. Penny saw it and raised an eyebrow. ’You really must control yourself Mr Billingsgate; you are ogling the Managing Director’s fuck buddy.’
Barrie would have been surprised, but Natasha had retained her female intuition. ‘Thank heavens for that. I hope you’re getting enough of what you want?’
‘Well, it’s never more than enough, Barrie, as you well know, but let us just say that it is on the plus side of sufficient, so I won’t be calling on my old friend anymore.’
She made a deliberate point of looking at the bulge in Barrie’s trousers as she stood-up and adjusted her short skirt. ‘Anyway, down to business. Duggie has dismissed Sally.’
‘Yes, I know, he told me he was going to yesterday. I saw her as I arrived. She gave me a bit of a mouthful.’
Penny laughed. ‘No more than you deserve, you’ve given many a girl a bit of one in your time.’ Natasha ignored the innuendo. ‘How did she know I’d been offered her job?’
‘Duggie must have told her, unless it was Pauline, but I doubt it. There was only the three of you who knew. Duggie didn’t mention it to me, not that I would expect him to.’ Natasha picked up on the defensive tone. It was something they would have to face if they became a permanent item. ‘Anyway, the message I have for you is can you do as he asked and let him know the answer as soon as possible. An extraordinary board meeting has been convened for 11am.’
Natasha nodded Barrie’s understanding. ‘I’ll get onto it right away.’ Penny paused by the door. ‘When you’re ready come to the office. By the way, we have some interesting information for you regarding the Dynamic business. I’ll type up my notes for you and Sam.’ She smirked and waggled her rear, leaving Natasha to wonder if she really knew more than she was letting on.
If Samantha was surprised to be offered the position of sales director, she did not show it, although she expressed a degree of reluctance. They both knew she earned more than Barrie. Natasha looked at her. She was poised, confident and beautiful. It was very difficult to keep the meeting in Barrie’s office on a strictly business basis. Sam read her thoughts.
‘The answer Barrie is yes, I will consider a threesome, but only if the proposition comes from Natasha. I want to be very sure she knows what she’s getting into. As for accepting the Sales Director’s position, presumably I would discuss terms with Duggie?’
‘You mean you’ll accept the offer?’
‘I don’t mind earning less; it’s just a matter of how much less. It would look good on my CV, providing I can do the job; would be able to help me?’
The blind leading the blind came to mind, but Natasha nodded and gave one of Barrie’s encouraging smiles. She felt Barrie’s body positively tingle at the prospect of a threesome with Sam, but could hardly say it had already been agreed as a condition to last night’s activities, so simply said. ‘Sure, Duggie’s expecting us and according to Penny, he has some information on Dynamic.’
Duggie was looking down on the smouldering Meltcon factory when Penny showed them into his office, he beckoned them over and pointed. ‘Not as bad as it could have been, they managed to confine the fire to just one section of the factory.’ Natasha looked down at the blackened section. The roof had collapsed in several places. Fire crews were still actively damping down. ‘Must have been quite a blaze while it lasted.’
‘Short and sweet.’ Duggie chuckled at his own little joke, and then put his hand on Barrie’s broad shoulder. ‘You seem to be walking better Barrie, hamstring better?’ With so many other things on her mind, Natasha had forgotten to strap Barrie’s leg, and to limp. ‘I still get the occasional twinge, Duggie, but maybe I could start some light training next week?’
Duggie looked pleased. ‘That’s excellent news. Perhaps we should to visit our new coach in hospital later and ask his opinion.’
‘In hospital?’
‘Haven’t you heard? Peter Bunford is a bit of a hero, he rescued someone in the fire. Ran out through the flames carrying a woman wrapped in wet overalls, as if running for touch. I’ve been speaking to Des Partridge at the Bugle. They have a fantastic photograph which will appear in the national newspapers and on television; should get some excellent publicity for the club.’
‘Is he badly hurt?’
‘No, that’s the fantastic news. Peter had the presence of mind to put on his bike leathers. They were badly scorched but other than some burns to his hands and both of them being treated for smoke inhalation, they came through unscathed. Des has what he calls a great follow-up story. Wouldn’t give me any details, but said he had photographic evidence to support it.` Duggie turned away from the window. ‘So, we‘ll have to see where that takes us, but it‘s good that Peter’s OK. ` He reached out and shook Sam’s hand. We have some important things to discuss. Thanks for coming along Sam, now, let’s get down to business.’
Dudley Wink was running late with his round, so by the time he arrived outside Holly Tree Cottage in Lippinston, he was not surprised to see that both cars had gone. He only had a few circulars and the semen stained letter to deliver. Watching her open it with her slender fingers was becoming something of an obsession with him, so he was determined to hold onto it for as long as possible. Trouble was that from now on, Saturday’s would be the only days when his delivery would coincide with her being at home. True, he had gone off her a bit after seeing her with her husband over the kitchen table, but, last night, when he looked closely at some of the action on his computer, he fell madly in love with her all over again. He decided to keep the letter and deliver it tomorrow. He walked quickly back to the van, anxious to get his camera back from the Bugle and to find out if they had managed to syndicate any of his photographs.
Sam joined Natasha in Barrie’s office following her confidential discussion with Duggie.
‘Get what you wanted Sam?’