Miss Management

Chapter Four

Chapter Four

It was a busy morning at the office and it was after eleven when Caroline found herself with a breathing space.

She dialled the number of her best friend Mary, who was working from home this week. They had arranged to meet up on Saturday morning, so Caroline was calling to cancel.

However, when she had explained about her unexpected guests, Mary wouldn’t hear of it. “Bring Lizzy along. The more the merrier. Besides I can’t wait to tell you about our holiday. You sister-in-law’s fairly broadly minded right?”

Caroline could hear the smile in her friend’s voice. Mary and her husband Sam recently discovered a mutual enjoyment of on-demand s****l exhibitionism, but since they were both quite high flying executive types, they had to be careful. Sam had rather cleverly realised that if they went abroad and stayed at hotels that took a relaxed attitude towards guest behaviour, they could indulge their passions to their hearts’ delight. Luckily they had the disposable income which allowed them to frequent the kind of five star resorts that cater to spoilt foreigners and their grown up needs.

“Well I think she and Harry are having a bit of a hard time of it at the moment. And not just because of the fire. Hearing about your sun-drenched sexcapades might not cheer her up that much.”

“Oh nonsense!” said Mary firmly. “Everyone loves a juicy tale. It’ll take her mind off things, trust me!”

They agreed to meet up at Mary’s house and that Caroline would bring Lizzy along. Mary promised to curtail her saucy recollections if Lizzy looked at all uncomfortable.

“I’m pretty good at reading a room, babe,” Mary reassured her. “Oh and by the way, I think you’re right to want to keep an eye on this girl when she’s around your man.”

Caroline sputtered. “What do you mean? I never said…”

Mary cut her off. “You didn’t have to. I can hear the stress in your voice and having a hot younger woman on your territory is always going to be a potential problem. I told you, I know how to read a room.” She hung up.

Caroline spent the next few minutes trying very hard not to focus on how good Lizzy looked in the kitchen earlier. First thing in the morning too. Not fair, she thought.

When her secretary, Dalim buzzed her to say the next meeting was about to start, Caroline was glad to have something else to think about.

The rest of the day was a whirlwind. After a hurried late lunch Caroline called home but Lizzy didn’t pick up. Assuming her sister-in-law was probably still asleep she resolved to try again later and then promptly forgot.