Twisted Love and Money Read online

  “Hmm…” Peter had an inspiration, brought on by the fact that she crossed her lovely legs again. “I would not want to rush an important interview of this nature. Let me clear my diary.”

  He went to his desk and picked up the phone, “No more appointments today,” he instructed.

  “You have none,” his secretary replied, “you wanted to be stress free for your squash match this evening.”

  “Thank you,” Peter said and hung up, happy that Janet had only heard his side of the exchange.

  “Now young lady,” he announced, “I can take you to lunch. We can spend an hour or two on this ISO business. Does that suit you?”

  “Perfectly.”

  Janet could sense that Peter was out to impress. Funny how so many young men wanted to impress. It could do no harm to encourage him. And Janet decided she would not mind too much. Peter had a vulnerability about him, he looked needy, almost appealing to a maternal instinct. And he was reasonably attractive. Janet was pleased. She was enjoying the encounter and began to feel less tense, more relaxed.

  Peter put Dorothy’s report on the takeover of Howlette Holdings into the inside pocket of his Gucci Anorak. He intended to read it at home when time permitted. He put on his Gucci Anorak and led the way to the car. He drove them out along the Naas road.

  And the more Peter was in Janet’s company, the more excited he felt. He sensed she was, in his terms, a class act. He knew instinctively that if he were to get her knickers down without jeopardizing the business deal he would have to play his cards carefully.

  Peter was confident. He really liked women and was experienced in dealing with them. This was an area of his life where he felt comfortably successful. That is he had always found it easy to establish relationships with women. The fact that the relationships tended to be short term never bothered him. He had no idea what attracted women to him and was equally puzzled when they gave up on him. But he loved them nonetheless.

  Janet stretched out her long legs in the car. She saw how his eyes moved down to her. She began to relax. If she handled this guy right she would get all the information she needed on O’Byrne’s. She needed for him to trust her and to want to impress her, to want to show off and yet to confide in her.

  Janet felt a tingle in her stomach, a sense of power. She was setting a trap and when it snapped shut this young man would find he was no longer a director. What had Crawford said? That nasty suggestion said with an undertow she disliked? ‘Use all your talents.’ One thing was sure; there was no way she would sell herself. That was part of the challenge.

  “You are taking me into the country?” she remarked after they had been driving for about fifteen minutes.

  “Yes, it does not take too long to get out of Dublin if you drive west. It is not much further. I have just moved to head office from our Kildare plant. I have a favourite restaurant. They know me well and we will be well treated. It is in a castle. They specialize in business lunches. We can relax in nice surroundings and deal with your ISO Registration problems.”

  “Excellent,” Janet said agreeably. She was a little nervous at being driven out of the city by a stranger. She looked at him out of the corner of her eye through an errant lock of her hair. He was prattling on about squash. Apparently he had a league match to play that evening in the city. She relaxed knowing she could handle him, if he wanted to play squash in town he would have to be back on time.

  Peter turned off the dual carriageway, down side roads. He drove fast, confidently, enjoying the drive. Janet liked to drive fast herself and quietly admired his control at the wheel.

  Peter turned into a tree lined long gravel driveway.

  A large Irish Stag Hound was chained near the front entrance. Although enormous for a dog he had a friendly face. They had to walk around him to get in the main entrance.

  They were met by a man dressed formally in uniform.

  “Good afternoon Sir, Mr. O’Byrne,” he greeted, “It is a pleasure to see you again. And the young Lady. Your dining area is ready. Private as requested.”

  “Thank you O’Connor. We will have an aperitif first.”

  “Of course Sir. Please follow me I have a table for you in the bar. I’ll get your drinks and you can order your meal. I am assigned to look after you during your visit, don’t hesitate to ask if there is anything you require.”

  They both had a Gin and Tonic. Janet settled back into the leather chairs. There were two other groups, consisting entirely of men, in other corners of the bar. A huge log fire blazed in the hearth. Another huge Irish Stag Hound lounged across the front of the fire.

  “This is some place,” Janet remarked.

  “You would be surprised at the high quality of some of our establishments. A lot of Irish businessmen like to entertain. We are not all poor. And you know there are a lot of wealthy French and German visitors to Ireland. They come for the fishing and the shooting, and or course the horses.”

  “Indeed. I am fond of horses myself.”

  “Do you ride?” Peter asked a salacious grin on his face.

  “Occasionally. I like something good and strong and spirited under me. Mind you there is not much chance to ride horses in London.”

  “You live in London?”

  “I have moved to Dublin. My consultancy firm has asked me to open a branch here. Currently I am here on my own. Quite a challenge.”

  “Perhaps I will get a chance to show you the sights?” Peter offered.

  “Perhaps,” Janet smiled. “I am very busy during the week, but it gets lonely in a strange city on the weekends.”

  Peter could hardly believe his ears. If she was lonely, he was the man for the job.

  “Tell me about your Company’s expansion plans?” Janet asked as she sipped her gin, adding, “Anything imminent?”

  Peter was expansive, but cautious. “We are just finishing a takeover in Germany. To expand our outlets. And in my jacket I have a further takeover plan, for weekend reading, we work hard you know.”

  “More takeovers?”

  “Yes. If we can leverage the throughput of our production units we can attain a very good return on assets and high growth.”

  Peter explained in a throwaway manner. He was quoting something John had said and he hoped he had got it right.

  “I’m impressed. I am afraid high finance is a mystery to me,” Janet said admiringly.

  Janet had studied the ISO documentation and had a creditable list of questions to which she had added a subtle few of her own. Peter had to defer on some of the detail, saying Mr. Riseley would take up those points. However at the end of two hours she had a very full picture of the O’Byrne organization and its key people. Crawford would be pleased.

  Peter was enjoying himself enormously. He had the rapt attention of a very beautiful young lady and he was able to talk about his importance in the firm.

  It was near to four in the afternoon when they got back to the city. On the drive back Peter made the conversation personal rather than business and was pleasantly surprised when Janet was friendly and responsive.

  Peter undertook to arrange an appointment for Janet to see Riseley the next day, “his aide who would look after her needs and arrange for her to visit the plants she wished to inspect.”

  Janet expressed her gratitude for his kind attentions.

  As he let her out of the car, she gave him her card and wrote the phone number of her apartment on the back. “I have no office number yet,” she explained. I will ring in to your Mr. Riseley tomorrow.”

  “May I call you also?” he asked with his best smile, “it won’t be business, maybe to show you the town?

  “All right,” she agreed with a warm smile that sent his heart racing.

  Peter sailed away with a wave. He glanced at the car clock, too late to return to work.

  Peter had a passion for playing squash. It was with great difficulty from his Kildare base that he had maintained his place at the bottom number five position on the D team in his c
lub. However now that he was back in Dublin he was determined not to miss a match.

  Janet watched him go.

  She wondered would he miss the report she’d taken from his jacket.

  She scanned it on her way through the lobby. It was headed ‘Proposal for takeover of Howlette holdings.’

  Stopping at the desk she asked the receptionist to photocopy the report and send it and the copy to her room. She’d talk to Crawford. He’d know what to do.

  Chapter nine

  Ann-Marie was looking forward to meeting Seamus on one level but dreading the date on another. It had become such a big deal with her family.

  Ann-Marie had permission for one late night during the week, on condition she studied hard for her exams on the other nights. After tea on Wednesday she went to her room. This was part of her routine when she had a date. Sometimes she enjoyed the preparation and anticipation more than the date.

  Ann-Marie put the snip on to lock her bedroom door. Assured of privacy she stripped naked. First she had a shower. Then she stood in front of the full-length wardrobe mirror. Inspection time, she thought. No spots. Ann-Marie smiled in satisfaction. Her soft bosomed silky skinned long legged body smiled back.

  Ann-Marie was pleased with her appearance. Nobody but her would see her until she met mister right. Well she might go topless when her parents took her on holidays in the south of France. But not in Ireland.

  Ann-Marie usually did not fuss much more over her appearance. Once she was scrubbed she would throw on a sweater and jeans and she was ready. But she was unsure of what to wear on the motorbike. She had none of the special leather gear bikers wore.

  Ann-Marie had her bathroom ‘en suite’ and as she pondered the problem of what to wear she went back to the bathroom. She had decided to shave her legs while she considered the problem. It was warm and relaxed and she began to think of Seamus, his broad shoulders and dark eyes. She discovered she was looking forward to the date.

  When she finished shaving her legs she tried the test she had seen in the adverts on television. She had no silk handkerchief to hand but she let a tissue slide down her leg. Smooth as silk. A fancy took her and she began to snip at her bush with her nail scissors. That was much neater she decided on inspection.

  Then Ann-Marie made up her mind; she knew what she would wear. She giggled, the black stockings and garters with matching bra. She had bought them in town with a friend when she was dared. But she had never had the nerve to wear them.

  She tried to remember where she had hidden them in case her mother nosed around. Top right of the wardrobe. With a giggle she got a chair and retrieved them, still in the tissue paper.

  The bra fitted though she had grown a bit, tights were fine, what about the garter belt. That was fiddly but she got it on. The she laughed at herself in the mirror. What about her pants? Black silky drawers. And she would wear her short leather skirt. That would knock his eyes out. His soft dark eyes.

  If anyone saw her, she thought, they’d think she was a trollop, not the virgin she was. Sod them all, he’d keep his hands to himself and she would do as she pleased with herself.

  Ann-Marie put on her short black leather skirt a black sweater and for warmth, a black woollen jumper. Where were her black leather boots? Final inspection. She tossed her hair; she knew she looked a million.

  Ann-Marie was silent on the journey and asked the chauffeur to let her off in the lower car park of the Centre. “I won’t need to be collected,” she said with her best smile.

  “Yes Madame,” he replied with a smile.

  Ann-Marie left her leather coat in the car boot and ran up towards the entrance.

  They had arranged to meet at the Chinese Restaurant just outside the entrance to the Cinema Complex. Dorothy was leaning against the wall talking to Jeremy.

  ‘Not very dishy,’ Ann-Marie thought when she saw Jeremy’s short stocky build, ‘And old.’

  “Ann-Marie this is Jeremy,” Dorothy made the introductions.

  “How do you do sir?” Ann-Marie was polite and formally shook Jeremy’s hand.

  “Pleased to meet you Ann-Marie.”

  Ann-Marie was curious when she heard Jeremy’s accent, a slightly lilting in tone with a tinge of England, but under-laid by a flat Dublin accent. Not the product of the best schools in Dublin she deduced instinctively. But he was neat and respectable. Ann-Marie delighted that not only had her older sister met a man at last, but also one who appeared to have a good suit.

  “Let’s go inside to the foyer.” Ann-Marie suggested, “It will be warmer.”

  “Any sign of your Beau?” Dorothy asked. She had bitten back on comment when she saw Ann-Marie’s gear, she would not give her baby sister the satisfaction of making an impact.

  “No,” Ann-Marie replied with a slight blush, “ I said I would meet him here but he may have gone into the foyer. He may be inside.”

  Ann-Marie led the way in. Dorothy linked Jeremy and they followed close behind.

  Ann-Marie wondered if she would remember Seamus’s face. What if he was not in his biker leathers, would she recognize him? They stood in the foyer and there was no sign of him. Anxiously Ann-Marie bit her lip.

  “Have you decided which show?” Jeremy asked Dorothy.

  “Yes, Cinema three,” Dorothy replied. Ann-Marie smiled in agreement.

  “I’ll go to the desk and get four tickets,” Jeremy suggested.

  “What if he does not turn up?” Ann-Marie could not help asking.

  “Ann-Marie,” Jeremy said warmly. Ann-Marie noticed that he had nice kindly brown eyes. She warmed to him as he continued, “I doubt if any young man in his right senses would not turn up for a date with you. I’ll get the tickets.”

  They all laughed at Jeremy’s heavy-handed compliment. And Jeremy left to get the tickets.

  “Where did you meet him?” Ann-Marie asked Dorothy curiously.

  “At a party one weekend.”

  “Seems nice.”

  “Yes.”

  They were silent. Ann-Marie was about to say that Jeremy looked a bit effeminate but decided it might not be wise to be too personal about Dorothy and her friend.

  In five minutes Jeremy was back.

  “They take credit card bookings, I got the tickets,” he said.

  Ann-Marie was getting worried. Where was Seamus?

  “I like the gear,” Dorothy remarked with a tinge of criticism in her tone. “Black leather suits your clear skin Ann-Marie.”

  Ann-Marie smiled. She looked at Jeremy. He hardly appeared to see her. Most men would react and fuss. Then she caught his eye and he smiled warmly. She relaxed.

  “Your fashion sense is right up to date young lady,” he pronounced, “I mean Ann-Marie.”

  Ann-Marie tossed her head. “Thank you.”

  “I work in the dress business, I know my onions,” he added.

  “I hope you are not going to get up on a motor bike in that short skirt?” Dorothy threw in. “You’ll have to pull it up to your bum.”

  Ann-Marie blushed, “don’t be crude Dorothy. Anyway I told Dad I’d taxi home.”

  And then Seamus arrived. He was just over six feet tall, dressed in his leather riding gear, a strongly built young man for his eighteen years.

  “The Wild One, nineteen fifty-four,” Jeremy whispered, drawing breath.

  The beauty of the young man, whose build reminded him of the young Marlon Brando. Jeremy had tapes of all Brando’s early movies.

  “What?” Dorothy said, not liking the way Jeremy was looking almost open-mouthed at Seamus.

  “Nothing.” Jeremy replied, “Ann-Marie is this your young man?”

  Ann-Marie, who had been standing purposefully with her back to the entrance so as not to appear to be waiting for anyone, turned. She was angry at being kept waiting.

  When she saw him she had a sharp intake of breath and emptiness in the pit of her stomach. She had forgotten how gorgeous he was. Wow…

  “Where were you?” she demanded crossl
y, “this is no place to leave a lady.”

  “Sorry I had to drop one of the lads into Tallaght. His bike broke down. We had to get him on the road again. The courier service always delivers. Sorry Ann-Marie.”

  He took her hand and looked sorry.

  Ann-Marie smiled, “This is Dorothy my sister and Jeremy her friend.”

  It was Seamus who was surprised “A double date?” he managed to say.

  “You owe Jeremy for the tickets,” Ann-Marie said.

  “Don’t worry,” Jeremy protested.

  “I’ll get some chocolates,” Seamus offered and taking Ann-Marie’s by the elbow he led them to the sweet counter.

  They relaxed and enjoyed the movie. All except Jeremy. He was a gamut of emotions. He had been delighted to meet Dorothy again. Their relationship was growing nicely.

  However the sight of Seamus had reminded Jeremy, if he needed reminding, that men were physically attractive to him. As he sat beside Dorothy he wondered what it would be like to sit beside Seamus and to have him joking lightly to him in the manner Seamus was busy teasing Ann-Marie. Ann-Marie was having difficulty in suppressing the giggles and Dorothy looked a bit agitated.

  Jeremy found Dorothy’s hand and held on. She smiled at him and then turned her eyes back to the film. Dorothy was holding his left hand and Jeremy found his right hand gripping tightly at the seat rest as he wrestled with his emotions.

  His Partner David, the man he loved, was coming to Dublin. They had been apart for nearly two weeks and like any couple they would want to touch and hold each other at the earliest opportunity. But now he was with Dorothy.