Page 44 of Thrill

“Well played, Mr Jones,” Simone said. “I think we got an upgrade in the boss department.”

Tyler welled up. He’d been nervous about his first day as their manager.

“Thank you, Simone. That means a lot.”

“Even from Amanda. That isn’t easy to do.”

Tyler considered her for a second. “I’d like you to give her a bit of a break. Can you do that?”

Simone reddened a little. Tyler panicked that he might have pushed a little too far. Still, he wouldn’t apologise for exerting his authority.

“Of course,” Simone said. “I wish you luck.”

He drew back as Amanda approached them at what appeared to be the speed of light.

“Amanda, slow down,” Simone said. “Don’t tell me you’ve found a supplier of musical love eggs?”

“Of course not.”

Simone turned to Tyler. “No one will listen to me. Love eggs that respond to music. It would be delicious. What song would you choose? I even have the ad campaign sorted out.”

She had a point. Tyler certainly hadn’t found them in his hours of internet research.

“Sunita from The Ocean Hotel is on the line. I made a start as soon as I got to my desk. She’s that keen she wants to speak to us now.”

“The Ocean?” Simone asked. “Very nice.”

Tyler felt that rush of electricity that he hadn’t had since his first job as a trainee buyer for a fashion company in Manchester. He’d spent too long in the doldrums of boring companies.

“Let’s go and get a deal out of her,” he said, rubbing his hands together.

“Shall we take it in the meeting room?”

“Good idea.”

Simone winked at him as he followed in Amanda’s wake.

By the time he got into the room, Amanda had already patched the call through.

“Mr Jones, my name is Sunita Kaur. I’m the sales manager here at The Ocean Hotel.”

“Yes, good to meet you. So…”

“Before we even begin to talk, let me ask you, have you visited the property, Mr Jones?”

Tyler glanced nervously at Amanda. “I haven’t. I’m very new in town. Amanda has told me it’s very nice as well as popular. With that in mind…”

“We must change that. Please. I would love to host you and the lovely Amanda. Two rooms, of course.”

Amanda had gone crimson. He might have only been there a week but he recognised someone who didn’t feel like they fitted in. He should be able to—he’d lived that for most of his childhood.

“We’d love to take you up on the offer, thank you.”

“Not at all. Let’s talk numbers when you’re an expert on the hotel. Amanda, I’ll email you for dates. Thank you, Mr Jones.”

“Thank you, Ms Kaur.”

The line went dead.