He had done his research and drawn the correct conclusions.
“So what do you intend to do now?” Laura asked. “Are you going to buy the shares and hold the majority stake?”
“Oakham has enough ‘irons in the fire’ at present Laura. We do of course have the funds available to buy the shares should we choose to do so but I’m confident that we can bring this to a successful conclusion and let you keep control of your business.”
Laura’s’ mind raced ahead analysing the most obvious possibilities. “And how do you envisage that happening?”
“We sell our ten percent to you two.” He loved the facial expressions the unexpected statement created. The wide eyes and open mouth remained for a second before Laura composed herself.
“Just like that. You’ll sell up giving us a majority holding?”
“Yes, just like that.”
“At a hugely inflated price I imagine.”
“No Laura, at a fair market price. We’re not robbers you know.”
“So what’s the catch?”
“Well, actually, we shouldn’t get what we want in life too easily should we, not good for the character and all that. No, you need to earn them.”
“And how would we do that?” Andrew spoke slowly, displaying the suspicion he was feeling.
“Well, whilst doing my research I found out that you’re a bit of a star on the tennis court. Singles champion two years running at your club. Very impressive.”
“So we’ll have a game of tennis, for the shares,” Andrew quipped, “winner takes all?”
“Hardly. I would rather engage in sport of a different type.” He turned to face Laura. “I prefer a battle of wills, a contest of strong minds, achieving a win through the use of strategic manoeuvres.” He turned back to Andrew. “I also found out that you’re a competent chess player. So that’s my proposal. One game of chess. If you win you can buy the shares at a fair market price.”
“And if he looses?”
“Laura, nobody wants to be a loser when playing a serious game.” Did he answer her question or another one that she hadn’t asked? Andrew tried to clarify the proposal.
“I still don’t see what you get out of this Graham. If we win you sell the shares, but what if you win?”
“Then I don’t sell and it’s status quo.” Before finishing the statement his eyes locked on Laura’s and a part smile almost appeared at the corner of his mouth. “My reward would be the enjoyment of the game.”
“And there are no strings attached. No surprises waiting round the corner?” Andrew pushed for some clarity.
“Andrew, don’t be so suspicious. I have only two conditions the first is that you finish the game, I have a strong dislike for people who give up, who resign without seeing a game through to a conclusion. And secondly that you return any pieces you may loose.” Before Andrew could ask his question Laura spoke.
“Then I don’t see any reason for us not to accept your challenge Mr Weston. I don’t play the game myself but this one,” her head gesturing toward Andrew, “had better be as good as he’s always telling me.”
“Lets hope not, and I’ll enjoy it even more.” This time his smile was full and genuine. “Well, I shouldn’t keep you from your friends any longer, I’ll get my P.A. to write up the agreement and send over a copy Andrew, how does that sound?”
“Splendid, and thank you so much.”
“Think nothing of it. It will be my pleasure, I assure you. Have a pleasant evening.”
He then turned and left them. They watched him walk out of earshot before turning to each other, beaming smiles filled their faces and they giggled like schoolchildren.
2
During the summer months Andrews favourite time of day had to be early morning. Relaxing in the garden, as he often did, he admired the quality of the recently completed building work. Months of well planned but disruptive restoration on their Edwardian town house had rewarded them with the perfect home for their chosen lifestyle.
The radio played quietly in the background, the birds twittered in the trees and the first rays of direct sunshine penetrated the overhanging foliage as he leafed through the morning paper. His concentration was lost as Jasper bounded in through the French doors as soon as Laura appeared.
“There’s a good boy, good dog,” she said, ruffling his ears. Within a few seconds the half baked animal had reached the limit of his attention span and returned to lie in his favourite spot out in the garden.
“And how’s my second favourite man this morning?” she asked Andrew, before placing a kiss on the top of his head.
“Just fine. You were sleeping so me and dimwit went over the common.”
“Did he behave himself?”
“Not if you’re a duck.”
“He’ll never change, and we don’t want you to do we Jasper?” Laura said looking out into the garden. On hearing his name his eyes opened and his long tail smacked the ground twice. His body remained still.
“Coffee?” he asked leaving the newspaper spread open before him.
“That would be lovely. Thanks. What time are you going in today?”
“I’m not, I’m meeting clients at four this afternoon out this way so I told the office I’d work from home this morning.”
Moving behind her as she opened the fridge he slipped his hands inside her loosely tied bathrobe and fondled her breasts. “I love it when your hairs still damp. You could call Abbie and tell her you’ll be late. We could find something to do for a couple of hours.”
“I’ve got work to do this morning you dirty old man so put those away and get the glasses if you want orange juice.” He fetched two glasses.
“You were up late this morning. What time did you get to sleep?” He placed the glasses on the table. “Cereal?”
“Please. I don’t know exactly. But it was late. I was thinking about Weston’s’ offer. Do you think he’s serious?”
“I don’t see why not. As he said, they were having a clear out and to them, a stake that small is probably more trouble than it’s worth.” He passed her cereal bowl and the milk jug.
“I suppose so. Do you think you can beat him at chess?”
“I’ve no idea. I’m no Grand Master and we have no idea how good he is, but then again, what have we got to loose. We might as well give it a go.”
“Just think Sir Andrew, you could be my knight in shining armour riding to the rescue of the damsel in distress.” She brushed the back of her hand across her brow before over acting a faint onto the table.
“That’s very funny. Or I could slap your arse and send you off to work. How about that?”
“It’s OK, I’m going. I’m not very hungry, Jasper can have this.” She tipped the remaining cereal into the dogs bowl before disappearing upstairs.
The transformation from late riser to business woman took just twenty minutes. After eleven years of marriage she still had the ability to make him stop what he was doing and admire the head turner before him.
She wore her standard business clothes. A dark knee length skirt, slim fitting but not tight. The dark jacket buttoned up thus accentuating her slim waist. A white cotton blouse, tan tights and heeled black shoes completed the outfit. It was only one of the thousands which would be worn by women across the city every day but few, he thought, would look so stunning.
Laura rarely chose to wear trouser suits. She didn’t consider dressing in a style desirable to the male eye to be augmenting gender stereotypes. She saw it as a tool to be used, a means available to her for gaining an advantage. The immaculate make-up and those red, full lips combined with her floating stride got her noticed. People liked dealing with those who radiated an air of confidence, it was infectious.
“No casual Friday then?” Andrew asked.
“The rest are but I’ve got a meeting. We’ve pitched on a new campaign for a chain of jewellery stores, sounds an interesting one actually.”
“Great stuff, sounds like I’ll be able to retire sooner than planned then.”
“In your dreams, buddy. I’ll leave my car here and use the tube. See you later.” She left soon after kissing Andrew and fussing Jasper.
When Laura finally got to the office it looked as busy as usual, a hive of ordered activity. She took pride in the fact that she had chosen and hired such a cohesive and dedicated team to work with. The most invaluable being Abbie, her assistant. She always told Andrew that even if she took a week off with no warning Abbie would sort things out. She could never let her go.
“And what time do you call this Laura Miller? Strolling in here at…” Abbie looked at her watch. “Nine thirty. The boss will be after you and you know what she’s like.”
“She’s a bitch, so they say. Don’t tell her though, she thinks nobody knows. We were out late last night.”
“Oh yes, the charity do. How did it go, any good gossip?”
“Abbie, you’re supposed to ask how the business networking went, whether I made any exciting new contacts, or possibly picked up any new clients.”
“Did you?”
“No, but there was some bloody good gossip.” Laura casually strolled off into her office, purposely leaving the door open knowing Abbie couldn’t resist.
“What?” She exclaimed, “I’ll get the coffees and you can fill me in on all the details.” Abbie rushed down the hallway to the kitchenette returning minutes later with two piping hot coffee’s and the vital biscuits.
“Go on then.” She said, handing Laura her coffee.
“Well, you know when we had that meeting at Morgans, the outdoor clothing people?”
“Yes, and?”
“What did you say on the way back?”
Abbie thought back to the incident, then it suddenly dawned on her. “That tall bloke and his assistant? And were they?”
“They certainly were and his wife found out. Kicked him out and he’s moved in with the assistant.”
“Nooooo, brilliant!” Abbie giggled.
“He was there on his own,” Laura continued, “didn’t seem too upset either. From what people were saying he came out of it with a good deal. Wife was a bit of a cow anyway apparently. So it seems that you don’t miss much do you, I’d better be careful.”
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