Jack received a message just after five from Sheila, it read, "Dear Jack, thank you so much for the time you spent with Jean and me last night, I appreciate it, last night was a learning experience for me, I'm convinced the wedding will be excellent, you have an excellent way with words, this is why I'm writing to you. I would like you to help me write my speech, the message I would like to get across is that my daughter and my new son in law, are now entering a new and exciting phase of life, they hopefully will become parents who will bring lots of new responsibilities."
"Bob and Jill have grown up in sheltered families, they've had easy lives, but now they must have ambition, Robert, Bob's father was successful because of the hard work that I did. Bob, sadly, is very similar to his father. Can you help me, if you need to speak with me, I'll make myself available any time that suits you? Hope to hear from you soon. Kind regards, Sheila."
Jack replied, "Dear Sheila, thank you for the compliment. One thing that I've learned from listening to hundreds of wedding speeches is to keep them short. I have no problem helping you with your speech, we have a week to get it down, but I'm back to University on Monday. I'm working today; I am also working tomorrow until three in the afternoon. We could meet at three, either the Hotel, or you tell me a suitable place. I would like you to be honest with me then I'll put your words into friendly and happy English. I look forward to hearing from you. Regards, Jack."
Sheila replied thirty minutes later, it read, "Dear Jack, thanks for your prompt reply, three is good for me, but I'd like to meet somewhere where we couldn't be overheard, if you would like to come to my house at three then let me know, and I'll give you my address. Kind regards, Sheila."
Jack agreed to this, Sheila sent her address, he arrived just before three, Sheila opened the door, she looked stunning. Sheila led Jack into the lounge, she offered him coffee or tea, but he declined. Sheila offered him a glass of wine, once again he refused, Sheila said, "I'm going to get one for myself, I need it."
Sheila left the lounge and came back with a glass of wine. She then spoke for thirty minutes. Jack took some notes. Jack soon realised that Sheila main concern was that Jill and Bob would not pull their weight when they started to work in Jean's practice. He also learned that Sheila had not a good marriage. Jack said, "I can give you the words which if Jill and Bob are paying attention they'll realise your subtly getting to them, but there could be the problem that their not interested then it would be up to Jean to employ them both as assistants until they proved themselves."
Sheila said, "Jack, you've got it exactly, if they were coming to work in my business, I would do things the same way."
Jack told Sheila she would have her speech tomorrow. As Jack was leaving, Sheila said, "Jack, thank you for coming today, I'll have a word with Jean, she can get this sorted out very quickly. I love to dance. I haven't a partner at the wedding, is it possible that you could give me a few dances?"
Jack smiled and said, "I'd love that; Jill and Bob are leaving around eight, then my work is finished, the Duty Manager can look after things."
As they got to the front door, Sheila took Jack in her arms; they tongue kissed for a couple of minutes, then Sheila said, "I'm looking forward to the wedding."
They kissed again then Jack left. Jack wrote an excellent short speech which got Sheila's message across very subtly.
