British English spelling and grammar.
This Brian character is so good, don't you think?
Rebooked
"Well I think Danny is cute." said Hazel.
"I'm not disagreeing with you." replied Brian. "I'm just saying cute doesn't get the job done."
"So, at work he's not doing well?"
"He tries, but lacks concentration. He makes mistakes, though he usually spots them in time and does that element of the job again. But he daydreams too much, and the team is just holding its breath, waiting for the big error."
"But he hasn't been with you long."
"True, that's why we give him some leeway. But correcting mistakes is making him slow. Then his work has to be checked, which in turn slows someone else down."
"You."
"Mostly me. And it's becoming obvious he doesn't like me. Which is not a good start - I'm the one showing him the ropes, and I'll be the one to assess him."
Hazel was preparing everything for a barbecue for the two of them. Everything except the bbq grille. Brian was scrubbing that clean and cursing himself for leaving it a week before doing so. They'd had his workmates round the previous weekend, and he'd had a few too many beers and forgotten it; now the black grime, was caked on hard. That had been the party where Hazel formed the opinion Danny was cute.
"I can't find the slotted spatula." she called from the kitchen.
"That row of hooks on the wall." he called back.
"It's not here."
Brian grinned and went in to help. He knew exactly where it was, and why Hazel couldn't find it.
"There!" he pointed.
"Oh yes. I didn't spot it; it's upside down."
"Yes. I washed it after this morning's omelette, and just hung it up like that - don't know why."
"Strange I couldn't see it though. It's right in front of my eyes."
"Not all that strange, you just looked for the handle at the top." Brian assured her. "It's the psychology of looking. You see what you expect to see."
At last the job was finished and they sat down with a glass of wine, while the coals got hot.
"So, why is Danny your problem?"
"Will asked me to take him under my wing for his three months' probationary period."
"Did he say why he chose you?"
"I might be reading more into this than I should, but I think he's showing a vote of confidence in me. There's a team leader post coming up soon."
"Oooh, is that the one in Brighton?"
"Yes."
"You talked about this a while ago. I checked with HR at my place, and they say I could transfer to our branch in Brighton, within six months of putting the request in."
"I remember, though I hadn't realised they'd guaranteed that."
"Well they did. It would be a pain us having to live apart for up to six months, but we could probably get together every couple of weekends."
"A small price to pay Haze. You know I saved my last two performance bonuses. And a team leader's pay, added to yours, would get us a mortgage. Brighton's a fun town."
"So you think that's why Will asked you? To give you the extra responsibilty?"
"Yes. At first I thought nothing of it. James mentored our last new bloke. But the thing is, Will called me into the office to tell me, and he closed the door. I got the impression he knew Danny was going to be hard work. I believe, if I do a good job, it'll be feather in my cap. He didn't mention the Brighton position, but talked about my being ready to take on more responsibilty, and he knows I want it."
"I think it's hot enough now babe." said Hazel. "You get the burgers on and I'll fetch the salad stuff."
"Deal. Can you bring the wine while you're at the fridge?"
Soon they were back on the loungers eating.
"Could this end up being a problem?" she asked.
"In what way?"
"Well, you said you're all waiting for Danny to screw up. Will it reflect badly on you if he does?"
"Strange you should say that. I voiced my concerns to Will only yesterday, and asked him pretty much the sane thing."
"And?"
"Well you know how he beats about the bush, so I had to read between the lines a bit. But basically, it wouldn't go well for me if he fouled up
after
his probation. It would look like I'd done a bad job with him. But if he does it soon, and I recommend he leaves, I'm covered. It would actually work well for me. Will even hinted I might have to be the one to tell him it isn't working out."
"That's a bit unfair."
"Not at all. Team leader is the first level of management. And the hardest thing for many managers, is firing someone."
Hazel poured some more wine and Brian got another burger.
"So how are you going to proceed babe?" she asked.
"I've had an idea. We're off on a maintenance call next week; to Brighton depot as it happens. I'll probably be away Tuesday and Wednesday. I've decided to take Danny with me."
"Clever. See how he shapes up."
"Exactly. I'll throw him in at the deep end and see how he copes. If he does well, it'll be just the boost he needs. Get him firing on all cylinders. But if he fouls up, we may have to call it a day."
"God, I hope he does a good job. I don't want to see him leave."
"I know, because he's so cute!"
"But he is; real eye candy. He made it obvious he fancied me of course. In fact he seemed to like everything about me; apart from my salad. He didn't touch that. And he certainly didn't give me the inpression he doesn't like you. He was singing your praises last weekend. Even called you his boss."
The sun was going down and they finished the last of the wine, both feeling mellow.
"I think he only did that when he'd run out of compliments for you."
"Do you think so?"
"I'm sure of it. He was playing you. In the office, he's always bragging about how many women he's had. We older guys just smile and don't believe it. We were all young once."
"Well I certainly didn't think he was playing me. It's just me being ten years older than him; he's curious. And what if he has had lots of girlfriends?"
"Have you stopped to wonder why? If he's fantasising the whole thing, he shows immaturity. If he keeps on losing real girlfriends, you have to ask yourself what he's doing wrong. And if he's just playing the field, his hands up your dress means he views you as another notch on his bedpost. Or on ours!"
"He did not get his hands up my dress Brian. Though I admit he went a little overboard with the groping. But I've flirted with your workmates before. I do hope guys don't have to serve time in your department before you think they're entitled to a kiss and a squeeze; that's elitist. And he is very handsome."
"I'm not elitist; I love watching you flirt. But I notice you're saying he's handsome now? Half a bottle of Sauvignon ago, he was only cute. Maybe we should open another; then you can tell me you'd like to sit on his face!"
Hazel laughed out loud.
"Now that
would
be good motivation for him. Tell him if he starts concentrating, and gets through the Brighton job error free, he can have a feel under my knickers!"
Brian laughed with her.
"It might work. He's already had his hands outside them!"
"What?"
"I wasn't
that
drunk Haze. I saw you dancing in the shadows. He got a good grip on your arse, and lifted your dress quite a bit."
"Well I was pretty drunk too. And it was his first time round our place. He'll have seen the other guys flirting with me - and you with their wives - and not realised where we draw the line. He's juat a horny boy - and a good kisser. I won't lie to you, I enjoyed it. And if you really wanted me to strip naked and sit on his face, I wouldn't say no. Providing he's naked too!"
"As our American cousins would say: 'I'll take that under advisement'!"
At work on Tuesday morning, they had a final briefing from Will. On the train down to Brighton, Brian reminded Danny how important his performance would be over the next couple of days. Their problems began that afternoon, at the hotel.
"Sorry sir, but we don't have a booking for you."
"Must be a mix-up." said Brian. "Can you just allocate any two rooms please, and we'll sort out the payment with our company."
"Sorry again, but we're full."
"One room with two beds? I'll use my own credit card."
"
Fully
booked I'm afraid sir."
"I see. Excuse me a moment."
Brian fished out his mobile phone, while Danny stood there, looking bewildered.
"Boss. Brighton branch are expecting us, aren't they?"
"Of course. They asked for you specifically; and I think you can guess why."
"Right. Only it appears the hotel... hang on a moment..."
The girl on Reception spoke to him in a whisper - then Brian resumed his conversation with Will.
"Right. We've just been informed that we're booked in for two to three days
next
Tuesday. The lady informs me that they're fully booked now, and have an arrangement for this kind of thing with another hotel. But it's more of a spa hotel, near the seafront, not as busy mid-week. Hang on... oh, and a bit more expensive."
"OK, sounds like a mistake at this end. Cancel next week's reservation and get her to book the alternative for you. Don't worry about the extra expense; we'll cover it. And taxis and so on."
Half an hour later, they'd dumped their bags in adjoining rooms and met in the bar. Brian was temporarily financing the whole trip on his credit card. The spa hotel had been reluctant to take a phone booking from an unknown company at such short notice.
"This is usually the most boring part, mate." said Brian. "All ready to go and waiting for tomorrow's start. We can't even get drunk. But this place is really classy. Fancy a swim?"
"I didn't pack any swimming trunks." said Danny.
"Me neither. But they've got a little shop through there that sells them, I'll treat you. When we get back I'll try and persuade Will to swing these on our expenses. It was our firm's mistake after all."
Brian called Hazel and let her know of their change of location. Soon he and Danny were lounging in the afternoon sunshine, admiring two young women in bikinis. They couldn't see them clearly, as they were lying face down on sunbeds. But what they could make out was already worth the extra expense.
"Are we allowed another beer on expenses?" asked Danny. "Or do we have to pay for our own?"
"We can have a couple more. But no wine with dinner. Got to be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed in the morning. Go and get two more. Just show them my key and charge it to my room."
He'd just left when the girls stood up. They looked very different, but both were stunning.
"You're missing the show Danny boy." Brian muttered.
They were wearing the same style of bikini, with ties at the back of the top, and the sides of the bottom. Now he noticed that the girl with jet black hair was wearing a white one, and the blonde was wearing black. Clearly this was no accident. There were a dozen other tourists lounging around the pool and these girls knew they were getting ogled. The busty brunette stood at the edge of the water and the slimmer blonde stood behind her and tied, or retied, her top. Brian wondered if she'd removed it while sunning herself. The blonde tapped her firmly on the buttocks to show she'd finished, and the brunette dived in, accompanied by the inevitable loud squeal. Once she was halfway down the pool, the blonde dived in after her, also squealing.
'Good job girls, everyone's paying attention now.' he thought.
"Come on!" called the dark one, now at the far end. She climbed out and made her way to the diving board. Even at this distance Brian could make out plenty of detail, through and around the wet material.
"Not for me." replied her friend. "I only wanted to cool off."
She turned and swam back to the steps right in front of Brian, and climbed out. As her hands grabbed the top rails, he spotted what had happened and jumped up, towel in hand. The girl hauled herself off the steps and he stepped forward.Brian approached her, holding out his towel. She frowned.
"Thank you, but I have my own towel over there."
