immediately, briefly mesmerised by
his accent. “Oh sorry, yes that’s right.”
“Ah, good for yer. Anyway, shall we get down to
business?” Niall reached down for his briefcase. “I’m head of legal
for the company, so it’s my responsibility to obtain some good insurance
cover. Our business is getting larger and so need to have more than
adequate policies, at the best possible price of course. If all goes
well, we would be looking for things like public liability cover, and personal
insurance for our employees, so that’s what I’d like to discuss with you
today.”
The meeting continued for another hour, with Niall and Paul
drawing up some proposals for Johnson & Cathcart, resulting in a profitable
day’s work for Palmer Insurance. Throughout the meeting, Charlotte had
tried to throw in some ideas, about the amount of cover needed, and the type of
policy, but each time Niall would listen and then say, “What do you think
Paul?” So that in the end, Charlotte sat back and took notes.
“Well Niall, it has been a pleasure to do business with
you.” Paul held out his hand.
“Thank you and you too Paul, oh and of course, you
Charlotte.” He took Charlotte’s hand and shook it quickly. “Perhaps next
time we meet you will be getting a bit more into yer stride.”
Charlotte’s mouth dropped open, had he meant to be so
condescending, or was he just ignorant?
“I expect it was all a bit boring for yer today.
Anyway, nice to meet yer.”
A few minutes later, a charmed Paul, and a smarting
Charlotte, watched from the office window as Niall drove his Silver Audi R8
from the car park.
“Hmm, one step up from Grant’s old prick mobile,” Charlotte,
muttered under her breath.
“What a thoroughly nice man,” gushed Paul.
“He was okay; the main thing is he gave us a lot of business
and doesn’t seem to have much to do with Grant.”
“Just as I thought, so that little subterfuge wasn’t
necessary was it?” Paul stabbed a finger towards the diamond ring on
Charlotte’s finger.
“Hmm, I’ll be at my desk if you want me.”
Chapter 5
That evening, while packing her work away in a now deserted
office, Charlotte felt that she needed a drink and some female company; she
picked up the phone and dialled Kerry’s number.
“Hiya, are you okay to come out to play tonight?” Charlotte
asked, as soon as she heard Kerry’s voice.
“God please. I am so fed up you wouldn’t believe
it. I really do need a good laugh. What time and where?”
“Oh err, eight o’clock at the Gander. Listen Kerry are
you okay? Would you prefer to go somewhere quieter, so we can talk?”
Over the last few weeks, Kerry had become increasingly morose and going
on about how bored or fed up she was.
“Yeah fine,” she replied, “just a little sick of baby talk;
that's all. I’ll see you later then.”
“Okay, I’ll give Bets a call, bye.”
Charlotte replaced the receiver, still a little unsure if
Kerry was okay. She called Bets, but there was no reply. Sighing
heavily Charlotte packed away the last of her things and left to go home.
As she got into her car, she noticed Paul’s office light burning; he was
probably still working on the proposals for Mr Devine. The thought of him
reminded her Grant again. Charlotte shook her head, she couldn’t
think about him now, she would wait and tell Kerry all about it.
After a quick wash and change at home, Charlotte made it to
the pub a little late. Kerry was already there, sitting at their usual
table, nursing a white wine. As she approached the table, Charlotte
noticed how glum Kerry looked. The frown on her face was becoming a
permanent fixture.
“Hi, sorry I’m a little late,” she said. She pointed
to another wine on the table. “Is this mine?”
“Yeah, you’re okay; I was early anyway.” Kerry pushed
the glass across the table, smiling feebly at her friend.
Instantly, Charlotte felt the
KyAnn Waters, Natasha Blackthorne, Tarah Scott