until I know we can handle it.”
He was trying to push me again.
“Point taken, Nick. I’ll see what I can do. But in the meantime, try and get Singapore to agree to an extension of at least a month. Tell them it’s not really the right time to harvest the stuff, or some such crap.” I stood up. We had gone as far as we could for the moment. I stretched, yawned, and turned to him. “Let’s leave it for now. We’ll get together in a couple of days and see how much further we can take it. I should have some of the details worked out by then, and you should have an answer back from Singapore.”
We arranged to meet at Nick’s for dinner on the following Tuesday night, unless I came up with something definite in the meantime; which I doubted. I was beginning to wish that George was still with us. He had been better at this than me.
Twenty-four hours previously I had been wondering how I was going to get back into the business. It’s strange how things turn out.
Nick and I had an agreement that was going to make me a great deal of money. I prefer doing things outside the law. There are no contracts to be drawn up, and no lawyers going over the fine print, arguing back and forth for weeks on end. As far as I’m concerned, a handshake or a nod of the head is more than sufficient; and a lot less expensive.
So I was no longer a rich, indolent playboy. I was gainfully employed again. Well, in a manner of speaking that is. At least I had my teeth into something, something that was going to keep me busy. I felt happier than I had for a long time. There was a sense of satisfaction in knowing I could still be useful.
It was still early in the afternoon. I had time for a few hours’ sleep and then a visit to one or two of the nightclubs in the city. There were a couple where you could have a few laughs, and, after all, I did have something to celebrate; even if I couldn’t let the whole world know about it.
I had been to this one particular club once before, but quite a few years previously. The service had been on the slow side as far as I could recall, but the drinks had been first class; and the band quiet and easy to listen to. If there’s one thing I can’t stand, it’s blaring music that takes over the whole place, killing conversation and destroying what should be a relaxed atmosphere.
It was a place frequented by divorcees; and by the wives of men in the forces and of businessmen too busy to come home; and by the higher echelon of secretaries. There was also a fair sprinkling of business women – those devourers of men and power.
The divorcees and the businesswomen were the ones to steer well clear of. The first only wanted a shoulder to cry upon and tell you how badly they had been treated; the second were ball-tearers.
The club was not as busy as the last time I had been there. Maybe I had been better pr imed then. We had been with a crowd, a rowdy mob; which had probably made a difference.
I found a quiet booth, not too far from the bar and with a good view of the dance floor. The service hadn’t improved over the years, but a good tip on the first drink soon cured that. The ligh ting was dim, like most of such places the world over, but it was more of a help than a hindrance. At least you could search out the talent without appearing too obvious.
I tried my line with a couple of y oung secretaries, and didn’t do any good. I sat and nursed another two vodkas and stared around the room. It was beginning to look as though I might be in for a long night.
And then I spotted her: blond, small, a pleasant face with a cute pointed nose – and even pointier breasts. I watched her dance with different partners a couple of times, swinging her long hair to the sound of the music, swaying her body in a secretive, provocative way.
It was time for the champagne.
She was sharing the table with a girlfriend, a brunette, head and shoulders taller; definitely not my type. I prefer my women small and
He was trying to push me again.
“Point taken, Nick. I’ll see what I can do. But in the meantime, try and get Singapore to agree to an extension of at least a month. Tell them it’s not really the right time to harvest the stuff, or some such crap.” I stood up. We had gone as far as we could for the moment. I stretched, yawned, and turned to him. “Let’s leave it for now. We’ll get together in a couple of days and see how much further we can take it. I should have some of the details worked out by then, and you should have an answer back from Singapore.”
We arranged to meet at Nick’s for dinner on the following Tuesday night, unless I came up with something definite in the meantime; which I doubted. I was beginning to wish that George was still with us. He had been better at this than me.
Twenty-four hours previously I had been wondering how I was going to get back into the business. It’s strange how things turn out.
Nick and I had an agreement that was going to make me a great deal of money. I prefer doing things outside the law. There are no contracts to be drawn up, and no lawyers going over the fine print, arguing back and forth for weeks on end. As far as I’m concerned, a handshake or a nod of the head is more than sufficient; and a lot less expensive.
So I was no longer a rich, indolent playboy. I was gainfully employed again. Well, in a manner of speaking that is. At least I had my teeth into something, something that was going to keep me busy. I felt happier than I had for a long time. There was a sense of satisfaction in knowing I could still be useful.
It was still early in the afternoon. I had time for a few hours’ sleep and then a visit to one or two of the nightclubs in the city. There were a couple where you could have a few laughs, and, after all, I did have something to celebrate; even if I couldn’t let the whole world know about it.
I had been to this one particular club once before, but quite a few years previously. The service had been on the slow side as far as I could recall, but the drinks had been first class; and the band quiet and easy to listen to. If there’s one thing I can’t stand, it’s blaring music that takes over the whole place, killing conversation and destroying what should be a relaxed atmosphere.
It was a place frequented by divorcees; and by the wives of men in the forces and of businessmen too busy to come home; and by the higher echelon of secretaries. There was also a fair sprinkling of business women – those devourers of men and power.
The divorcees and the businesswomen were the ones to steer well clear of. The first only wanted a shoulder to cry upon and tell you how badly they had been treated; the second were ball-tearers.
The club was not as busy as the last time I had been there. Maybe I had been better pr imed then. We had been with a crowd, a rowdy mob; which had probably made a difference.
I found a quiet booth, not too far from the bar and with a good view of the dance floor. The service hadn’t improved over the years, but a good tip on the first drink soon cured that. The ligh ting was dim, like most of such places the world over, but it was more of a help than a hindrance. At least you could search out the talent without appearing too obvious.
I tried my line with a couple of y oung secretaries, and didn’t do any good. I sat and nursed another two vodkas and stared around the room. It was beginning to look as though I might be in for a long night.
And then I spotted her: blond, small, a pleasant face with a cute pointed nose – and even pointier breasts. I watched her dance with different partners a couple of times, swinging her long hair to the sound of the music, swaying her body in a secretive, provocative way.
It was time for the champagne.
She was sharing the table with a girlfriend, a brunette, head and shoulders taller; definitely not my type. I prefer my women small and
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