‘Oh.’ Barrie had not expected the shit to hit the fan quite so quickly.
‘Oh. Is that all you can say. How about an explanation?’
There was a long pause while Barrie desperately tried to think of one. ‘Er, it’s not what it seems, Tash. I’ve been helping out an old friend.’
It was his voice that spoke on the other end of the line, but the intonation was pure Natasha. ‘You’ve been shagging an old friend?’
‘Ah, yes, but that was how she needed help.’
‘Well, she wants helping out again, so am I supposed to shag her?’
‘It is very complicated Tash. I mean, it doesn’t mean anything, we finished way before I met you.’
‘But you’re still shagging her?’
‘Only to help out.’ There was a snort from the other end of the line, then silence; he stumbled on. ‘The fact is, she lets me in on lots of inside information, without it I’d be a goner. If she wants a shag, I’d give her one – if I was you.’
‘I know you would, but how about me? If I give her one, as you so crudely put it, I’ll be complicit in your cheating on me.’
‘It’s not cheating Tash, it’s, it’s…’
‘Barrie, we will have this out this evening, I have a lot to catch up on before the board meeting. I think, or rather, I hope, I’ve managed to put Penny off, but is there anyone else you have been – doing a favour to?’
The line went silent again.
‘I take it there is someone else?’
Barrie though for a couple of seconds, then decided he might as well come clean, she was bound to find out anyway. ‘Yes, there’s Sam.’
‘Shit! Now you’re telling me you have a homosexual relationship on the go?’
‘No – it’s Sam – Samantha Derby. My main telesales girl in Travel Plan Dynamic.’
‘So I’m supposed to feel happy that your not shoving your thing up some blokes arse, but up some tarts cunt.’ Barrie was shocked; he had never heard Natasha use such language before.
‘Are you angry with me Tash?’
‘Too fucking right – I’m livid! Now get off my line and out of my life!’
The phone went dead. Shit! All his little indiscretions had come home to roost in one go. Well, apart from the steamy session with that cleaner, but there was no way she could ever find out about that one. He put the mobile phone back into Natasha’s bag. Strange really, he’d never felt as if he was cheating on her, he always had a little bit on the side during other relationships, it never meant anything, he still loved the main person. But now the guilt was striking home and if they ever swapped back, he could see Natasha walking out on their marriage. He looked at the chemise he’d been holding whilst talking to Natasha, it was crushed and badly creased. Testament to his guilty conscience? Perhaps he would feel better if he ran an iron over that and the French knickers. He pushed the switch down on the kettle and after carefully checking to make sure the iron was on a cool setting, switched on at the plug.
Natasha slammed down the phone. She was furious. Sam this Sam that. Oh, by the way, I had lunch with Sam today. It never crossed her mind that Sam could be a woman, no wonder Barrie had warned her off going down to the telesales floor. She could almost forgive him for Penny Betts, after all, she was an old girlfriend and it was in Barrie’s nature to help people out, although shagging was a step too far, but, going out with someone new? That was unforgivable. Seething with injured pride and resentment, she grabbed the pile of papers from Barrie’s in-tray and angrily began to read. What happened to the paperless office? Was there anything that needed immediate action? She was immersed in the papers when there was a tap on the door and Penny Betts walked in with a green cardboard folder. Barrie’s penis twitched as she closed the door behind her. Natasha worried that it would not let her say no, but thankfully, the visit turned out to be strictly business.
‘Agenda for the meeting.’ She placed the folder on the desk and flicked it open with a long, well manicured, bright red finger nail. The same nail tapped on item eight, towards the bottom the page. She whispered her advice. ‘You might want to prepare for this, it’s a late addition to the agenda.’
Natasha read the sub heading – Dynamic Sales Performance. She was none the wiser. ‘What do I need to prepare?’
Penny shook her head in despair. ‘I worry about you Barrie. Sally Barnard has produced figures which she reckons proves Dynamic is not working. It was your baby so she’s gunning for you and she’s fuming over the amount of commission Samantha Derby is earning. She’s been griping to Duggie about it. She can’t live with the fact that Sam’s take-home pay is more than hers.’
Natasha wondered if Penny really did worry about Barrie and that was why she fed him with inside information. ‘Thanks Pen.’
‘Not at all, Barrie.’ She smiled, winked, turned and walked to the door. She was wearing stockings. The immaculate seams and high stiletto heels enhanced her long slender legs. She paused by the door, looked over her shoulder, pouted her lips into a kiss and swayed her shapely bottom from side to side. The message was clear; Barrie was expected to perform in return for the favour. Well, hard luck thought Natasha, thanks for the tip Penny but Barrie’s penis is going to stay tightly zipped. Even as she made the silent vow, she felt the damn thing stir. Payment of the debt was beginning to look inevitable, but for now, she had other things to think about. She scrolled down to Barrie’s number on her mobile and pressed the dial button. There was less than an hour before the Board Meeting and she badly needed Barrie’s advice.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Dudley Wink was in a hurry to finish his round… He normally got home by midday when he would have a routine nap, but not today. Today he had some very special material to download onto his computer. He pulled swiftly into Laburnham Court and braked sharply by the entrance. Charlie, the doorman, walked out to meet him, which was good, he could handle the letters over and make a quick get-away.
‘Thanks Charlie. Quite a bundle today.’
Charlie took the letters and leant through the open window for a quiet word. ‘You couldn’t do me a favour, could you Dudley?’
‘Sure, you name it.’ Dudley always received a good Christmas Box from Laburnham Court and he knew Charlie was responsible for collecting it. He selected first gear and revved the engine ready for the off.
‘That’s great; I knew you wouldn’t let me down. It’s the woman in the Penthouse; she would like a quick word. Wants an earlier delivery.’
‘Ah, I’m not sure about that, Charlie. I’ll have to speak to my boss and see her some other time.’ He revved the engine a little harder. Charlie put a restraining hand on his shoulder and looked him in the eye.
‘She’s very generous at Christmas Dudley. Her contribution makes up over half of what I collect for you.’
Dudley knocked the van out of gear and stopped the engine. As much as he wanted to get home and zoom into some close-ups of Natasha Billingsgate’s pussy, financially it would be sensible to see the woman in the penthouse.
‘Will the van be alright here?’
‘No problem. I’ll keep an eye on it, but leave the keys so I can move it if needs be.’
Dudley followed Charlie Bell into reception. Charlie handed back the bundle of letters. ‘Sort out the ones for the Penthouse Dud – you can take them up. I’ll give her a call to let her know you’re on your way.’
Dudley sorted through the letters. Most of them were for the Penthouse, so Dudley simply pulled out the others, leaving those addressed to Ms L Lovebrace held together by the red rubber band.
Charlie returned. ‘You can go straight up.’ He led Dudley to the lift and reached in to push the button. ‘Only goes to the Penthouse, so you can’t get lost, I know what you postmen are like.’
Dudley searched for a smart answer, but the doors closed before he could come up with one. The lift was quiet, smooth and obviously fast, for within a few seconds, the doors opened and he stepped out onto deep pile carpet. He was in a plush reception area with leather armchairs set around a rich mahogany coffee table to one side
