I arrived right on time, to be greeted by Ms Grey's secretary, who informed me, I would be seen by her in a few minutes. As I waited, I took in my surroundings and it just spoke of wealth and power. Whilst awaiting to see Ms Grey, visitors were seated in a plush office, on large leather sofas. The walls were full of original paintings, hung in a way to draw your eyes to a magnificent glass display cabinet, full of business awards. Her Secretary (as I was to find out later, was called Marge) had an antique oak desk, empty apart from a telephone and typewriter, surrounded by filing cabinets. Her phoned buzzed and she directed me down the corridor to the end door. I knocked and waited.
"Come in Shaun." A voice boomed out.
As I entered Ms Grey was looking out of the window, shaking her head,
"If you think you are turning up at my clients abode in that heap of junk, you are very much mistaken!" Without turning to face me and pointing at my car, she yelled at me.
I was just about to leave when she turned to face me and burst out laughing.
"June told me about your little accident last night, to eager to ravish her pussy, from what I hear."
I started to explain before she cut me off,
"Listen Shaun, I am not the dragon, people make me out to be, a long time ago, too long ago, to remember every detail. I had a talent and a desire to make something of myself. But had no idea how to move forward, then an older man took me under his wing, introduced me into the real world of commerce, where money, sex and blackmail are all entwined. She then pointed to an old black and white picture on the wall, it depicted a couple having sex, the woman although her face was hidden, had a body that looked gorgeous, young and lithe, the man was old and fat, bald apart from a few long wispy grey hairs, brushed over the top of his head. That was me, fucking my way to the top."
I looked at her, then back to the picture, surely this was not the same person standing before me.
"Why me?" I asked in regards to her taking me on.
"That's a question I cannot answer fully, June, a long time ago, did something for me, I can never truly repay. When she came to me and asked if I would give you a chance, there was no way I could refuse, but it's down to you, a months trial, fail and you will be out, pass and you will have a life most men can only dream of."
"You have two jobs lined up today, firstly Mrs Thomas wants some shelving put up, then this afternoon, you and I are going to look at a shop I am hoping to purchase."
I only nodded, still astounded by the picture.
Leaving my old banger behind, I drove one of the pool cars, a Volvo estate to the address I had been given.
"Hello, my name is Shaun, Ms Grey sent me." Introducing myself to the woman who answered the door.
As I followed her down the hallway, my eyes were drawn to her arse, the close fitting jeans she was wearing, showed it off to perfection, it looked tight and toned and as she walked, it swayed from side to side.
She led me to the living room and excused herself saying,
"Give me five minutes, I need to make a phone call, then I shall show you what needs to be done."
The room was modestly furnished but what set it apart, were the photographs that adorned every wall. Old faded black and white images, mostly depicting burnt out buildings and soldiers, obviously taken during some conflict. I was fascinated by them, to the extent that I did not hear her return.
"My grandfathers took them." She said from behind me.
"He was an army photographer during the war, that's were I got my love of the art from."
The job was such an easy one, I wondered why she or her husband did not do it themselves, but hey I was getting paid to do it. Four wooden brackets, two pine boards later and the task was completed in under thirty minutes.
"My that was quick, can I get you a drink?"
Thinking it was tea or coffee on offer I replied "Please."
