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?’
‘Yes, Duggie’s been very fair, but I do feel a bit nervous about answering questions at the board meeting. Duggie told me not to worry.’
‘He’s very good like that. He’ll jump in and answer any awkward questions for you. John Toddleigh the chairman is also very good. You’ll know all the directors apart from the non-execs. Lady MacDonald is lovely, but Sir Ken Allerby is a nasty piece of work.’
‘Won’t the board have to ratify my appointment?’
‘It’s a done deal. Travel Plan is Duggie’s baby and he wants you as sales director because he recognises talent and doesn’t want to lose you. On the other hand, he can be quite ruthless; Sally was trying to rock the boat. Duggie doesn’t like that.’
‘So, you don’t think it was anything to do with the Dynamic leak?’
‘Don’t think so. Let’s go and see Pauline and see what she’s been able to dig-up.’
At 11.35am, Phil Stammers began to type the minutes of the Travel Plan Extraordinary Board Meeting on his battered old Imperial typewriter.
“Attending: J L Toddleigh – Chairman: D B Lummox – Managing Director: B J Main – Finance Director: B R Billingsgate – Sales Director: P A Sykes – Personnel Director: Non Executive Directors: Sir Kenneth Allerby: Lady Sophie MacDonald. Company Secretary: P G Stammers. Absent: S V Barnard – Marketing Director.
The Chairman opened the meeting promptly at 11am, thanking everyone for attending at such short notice. The reason for the meeting being that Sally Barnard the Marketing Director had tendered her resignation. Managing Director, Douglas Lummox informed the meeting it had come to light that Sally Barnard had defrauded a company she had previously worked for and lied on her CV. When confronted with the evidence she tendered her resignation which was accepted. Sir Kenneth Allerby questioned why the board had not been informed before the resignation was accepted. A note detailing the extent of the fraud was passed to Sir Ken, who, on reading it, agreed that the right course of action had been taken.
The note was subsequently read by all members of The Board, who concurred.
Sir Ken expressed concern that this now left the company without a Marketing Director at a very important point in the business cycle. The MD agreed, which is why he proposed that Barrie Billingsgate should be promoted to fill the vacant position of Marketing Director. Pauline Sykes seconded the proposal which was carried unanimously. The MD then proposed that due to her excellent record in Dynamic telesales, Samantha Derby should be promoted to Sales Director. Following a general discussion as to her suitability for the post, Basil Main seconded
