in the business of cheating anyone. Fair prices and consistent good quality is what we guarantee. In return we expect our bills to be paid on time. There's absolutely no credit.'
'Well, at least we understand each other.'
'Coffee?' Harriet stood with her hand poised on the lever of the customer's coffee machine.
'Yes, please.' She had to admit that Jeremy was a disappointment. Having heard about his wife Harriet had anticipated an Adonis. Instead he was thick set, if not downright chubby with a large bald patch in the middle of his grey hair. His heavy glasses enhanced him not one
46
jot. She couldn't see him doing an early morning run with his wife. More than likely he was tucking into bacon and eggs sunny side up while she was out jogging.
'How long have you been in the health club business, Jeremy?'
'New venture, actually. Venetia has the beauty and the experience and I have the brains and the money. This coffee's good.'
'Jimbo is out on business at the moment. If you could give me some idea of the kind of food you would be wanting and how you would like deliveries made and how often et cetera, when he gets back we could have a discussion about it.'
'Certainly. I've written down my thoughts on the subject so I'll leave them with you to browse over. Could I have another cup of coffee, please?'
'Of course. I've been wondering where you're going to get people from to fill up your health club. There's not many people around here who could afford to be members let alone stay there.'
'I have lots of business contacts and we intend promoting it as a place to send executives for a social as well as a physical weekend. Build company loyalty and morale and all that jazz. All paid for by the employers, of course.'
'I see. Well, here's hoping you have lots of success. I'm sure you will. As you say, with Venetia's beauty and your brains you're bound to be onto a winner.'
'Exactly. Must be off. There's our card. Give me a ring and we'll arrange a meeting. Remember though I'm in business. It's not a charity, so no fancy prices. Good day to you.' He left the store in a hurry, climbing into his BMW with more haste than grace.
'And so much for you Jeremy Mayer. No fancy prices indeed! If we didn't need the business I'd tell him what to do with his orders,' Harriet muttered to herself.
47
'Who's that just disappeared in a cloud of dust?' Caroline asked as she manoeuvred her pram in through the door.
'Good morning Caroline. That is the famous or is it infamous Jeremy Mayer from the health club. He's not anything like I'd expected.'
'I wonder if he knows his wife's been making passes at the rector? I shall be having a thing or two to say to her if she doesn't stop.'
'Don't take it too seriously Caroline, Peter's not so foolish as to be taken in by her. Can I lift Beth out?'
'Yes of course. I can't find my list, yet I know I put it out to bring with me.' Caroline tried all the pockets of her jacket and eventually found it tucked down the side of the pram mattress. 'I really think I've lost my marbles since I got these two. I don't know what I'm doing most of the rime.'
'Would you be without them, that's the question.'
'Certainly not. But it does take some adjusting to when one's led an adult, shackle free existence for so long and then suddenly your life is not your own any more.'
'That will pass. Now little lady I'm going to put you back in your pram and pick up your brother for a cuddle. Mustn't show favouritism must we?'
Harriet picked up Alex and kissed the top of his head. 'What darlings you are.' Harriet cuddled Alex against her face. 'Mmmm little babies are lovely. I'm very jealous of you do you know that?' Harriet put Alex back in the pram and said, 'I'm thinking of joining the health club. Jimbo fancies it and I'm going to keep an eye on him. What do you think?'
'No time really Harriet. Peter might join but I won't. I'm not into exercise and all that right now.'
Whilst Harriet was putting Caroline's shopping
'Well, at least we understand each other.'
'Coffee?' Harriet stood with her hand poised on the lever of the customer's coffee machine.
'Yes, please.' She had to admit that Jeremy was a disappointment. Having heard about his wife Harriet had anticipated an Adonis. Instead he was thick set, if not downright chubby with a large bald patch in the middle of his grey hair. His heavy glasses enhanced him not one
46
jot. She couldn't see him doing an early morning run with his wife. More than likely he was tucking into bacon and eggs sunny side up while she was out jogging.
'How long have you been in the health club business, Jeremy?'
'New venture, actually. Venetia has the beauty and the experience and I have the brains and the money. This coffee's good.'
'Jimbo is out on business at the moment. If you could give me some idea of the kind of food you would be wanting and how you would like deliveries made and how often et cetera, when he gets back we could have a discussion about it.'
'Certainly. I've written down my thoughts on the subject so I'll leave them with you to browse over. Could I have another cup of coffee, please?'
'Of course. I've been wondering where you're going to get people from to fill up your health club. There's not many people around here who could afford to be members let alone stay there.'
'I have lots of business contacts and we intend promoting it as a place to send executives for a social as well as a physical weekend. Build company loyalty and morale and all that jazz. All paid for by the employers, of course.'
'I see. Well, here's hoping you have lots of success. I'm sure you will. As you say, with Venetia's beauty and your brains you're bound to be onto a winner.'
'Exactly. Must be off. There's our card. Give me a ring and we'll arrange a meeting. Remember though I'm in business. It's not a charity, so no fancy prices. Good day to you.' He left the store in a hurry, climbing into his BMW with more haste than grace.
'And so much for you Jeremy Mayer. No fancy prices indeed! If we didn't need the business I'd tell him what to do with his orders,' Harriet muttered to herself.
47
'Who's that just disappeared in a cloud of dust?' Caroline asked as she manoeuvred her pram in through the door.
'Good morning Caroline. That is the famous or is it infamous Jeremy Mayer from the health club. He's not anything like I'd expected.'
'I wonder if he knows his wife's been making passes at the rector? I shall be having a thing or two to say to her if she doesn't stop.'
'Don't take it too seriously Caroline, Peter's not so foolish as to be taken in by her. Can I lift Beth out?'
'Yes of course. I can't find my list, yet I know I put it out to bring with me.' Caroline tried all the pockets of her jacket and eventually found it tucked down the side of the pram mattress. 'I really think I've lost my marbles since I got these two. I don't know what I'm doing most of the rime.'
'Would you be without them, that's the question.'
'Certainly not. But it does take some adjusting to when one's led an adult, shackle free existence for so long and then suddenly your life is not your own any more.'
'That will pass. Now little lady I'm going to put you back in your pram and pick up your brother for a cuddle. Mustn't show favouritism must we?'
Harriet picked up Alex and kissed the top of his head. 'What darlings you are.' Harriet cuddled Alex against her face. 'Mmmm little babies are lovely. I'm very jealous of you do you know that?' Harriet put Alex back in the pram and said, 'I'm thinking of joining the health club. Jimbo fancies it and I'm going to keep an eye on him. What do you think?'
'No time really Harriet. Peter might join but I won't. I'm not into exercise and all that right now.'
Whilst Harriet was putting Caroline's shopping
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