The Collectors Book Six: Black Gold (The Collectors Series 6) by Ron Sewell

“I know you’ll accept whatever it is. You’re bored.”
                  “No, I’m not. I love being at home with you, my daughter and that stupid dog. But a change would be good for both of us.”
                  She placed the empty bowl into the dishwasher. “Go and play your little boys’ games. If you get hurt don’t expect any sympathy.”
                  “You worry too much.”
                  “It’s what wives who love their husbands do. By the way, after I’ve taken Alysa to school I’m off to my karate class.”
    @@@
    Andreas’ Bistro set back from the cobbled quay of St Katherine Docks was half full when Petros and Bear entered. He waved and pointed to the far end where a few tables remained empty.
                  “Guess he wants us away from his customers,” said Bear. “Can’t have the riff-raff mixing with the upper crust.”
                  “Upper crust, my arse. This lot get one hour to stuff their faces and then it’s back to their desks.”
                  Bear and Petros seated themselves at a table which gave them a clear view of the docks.
                  A young waitress with blonde hair and the impish face of an urchin stood close to Petros. Her black trousers clung to her legs and her white blouse was one size too small. The two buttons at the top were undone and revealed a tiny cleavage. “Ready to order, gentlemen?” Her eyes darted over Petros’ muscular frame. She stopped at his face and smiled.
                  Bear eyed the waitress. “Two black coffees please, and another gentleman will be joining us soon.”             
                    She swaggered through the tables, her high heels drumming a tattoo on the tiled floor; aware every man in the room focused their eyes on her.
                  “If I dare suggest,” said Petros with a huge grin on his face, “don’t go there. She’d eat you up and spit out the pips. The wrath of Jocelyn descending would be your end.”
                  He shrugged. “A man can look.”
                  Petros took a deep breath. “You can get arrested for what you’re thinking.”
                  Andreas sauntered across with two mugs of coffee and placed them on the table. “This is not your normal visiting day or time. If you’d given me a call I could have reserved your usual table.”
                  “Not a problem,” said Petros. “We’re expecting Charles Haskell to join us.”
                  “Doesn’t he recruit ex-soldiers as mercenaries?”
                  “That’s him.”
                  “You can use my store room, it’s a bit quieter. I have a table and six chairs in there and I’ll keep you supplied with coffee.”
                  “When did you hire the blonde?” asked Bear.
                  “The drop-dead gorgeous Janice. Phoebe hired her last week to help out during lunch times. She’s at the LSE studying for her degree. A hard worker and earns her money. My male customers have doubled since she started.”
                  Petros lifted his mug and turned to Andreas. “We’ll take you up on the back room.”
                  They followed Andreas to the room, rearranged the table and chairs and waited.
                  “PK, can we have a word before you leave.”
                  “Got problems?”
                  “No, but I need a favour.”
                  “Ask away.”
                  “I’ve the opportunity to buy the freehold on this place but the bank requires a guarantor if I fail on the repayments.”
                  “How much do you need?”
                  “Two hundred thousand.”