For The Love Of Money, Brian Doswell [books for students to read .txt] 📗

eyes. As if on springs, he rose from his chair and leaned forward to accept the card and shake hands, instantly craving the contact with her slim creamy skinned fingers, tipped with perfectly varnished nails. Sir William appreciated attention to detail.
“Sir William”, she began, “I would like to congratulate you on your acquisition of the Joyce estate. Harry Joyce was a client of mine and I know how pleased he is with the efficiency of your office.” She paused, wondering if she was over doing the pitch. “As a Business Advisor for Anderson’s I would like to ask your advice on a new support package that we are considering.”
Sir William was already considering where to reserve a dinner table so that he could offer PATEL Lia any advice she cared to ask for.
Lia began again, “If, for example, a company such as yours were to build a large number of houses, would it be useful for you to have an off-set deal on the finance for end customer mortgages?”
“What exactly did you have in mind?” questioned Sir William.
“I assume that with such a significant project, WFH plc would build an on-site sales office. Well, suppose Andersons were to underwrite a pot of pre-approved mortgages, your agent could sign up buyers on the spot, within certain pre-agreed limits.”
“I’m beginning to like this idea, but I’m not sure how this will improve on my existing partnership with my old friend Arthur Evans at Three Trees. I need a bit more – explanation.”
Sir William’s emphasis on the last sentence told Lia that he was open to a deal. ‘Fish in a barrel’, thought Lia.
“If I could use your terminal, I could show you some speculative graphs.”
“Be my guest.” Sir William waved a hand towards the screen on his desk and rolled his oversized black leather chair backwards, inviting Lia round to his side of the desk.
Lia clicked onto the Anderson’s web site and then navigated down to her carefully prepared presentation.
“Let me show you”, she said, leaning forward and taking Sir William’s hand in hers so that they moved the mouse together.
She knew that her blouse would fall open and that the lace trim of her black silk bra would be on show, contrasting with her flawless ivory flesh tones. She sensed him inhaling the perfume of her hand cream, knowing full well that after she had left the office, he would raise the back of his hand to his nose. ‘Fish in a barrel’, she thought again.

§§§§§

“I would really, really like a tortoise.” said Susie Middleton. “My best friend Jocelyn has got a tortoise and she says you need a big garden for a tortoise. Our new garden is big enough for a tortoise. Can I please have a tortoise? Please?”
David and Emma sat together on the sofa while Susie knelt in true supplicant position on the carpet in front of them, deliberately looking at David with unblinking eyes as wide open as she could manage.
“What do you think David?” Emma swivelled round, laying her head on David’s lap, hooking her legs over the arm of the sofa and looking up into his eyes, mirroring her daughter’s pleading pose.
“Charles Darwin says that tortoises are close cousins of the dinosaurs and every bit as old. Who will look after it? Who knows what dinosaurs eat?” David already knew that he would concede, a tortoise was as good as ordered.
“I’ll feed it”, Susie jumped in, “My best friend Jocelyn must know what dinosaurs eat. I’ll find out from her.”
Emma said nothing, smiling up at David, pleased that Suze and David had become such good friends so quickly.
David continued to tease Susie. “Do you think Jocelyn knows what sort of a house the tortoise will need to sleep in?”
“I suppose.”
“Who will build a house for a tortoise?”
“You will David, won’t you?”
“Only if you help me.”
“I will, I will. Can we go and get one now?”
Emma chipped in, “We could go to the pet shop at the garden centre on Saturday. Meanwhile we have still got a whole load of boxes to unpack. Suze, go to your bedroom and tidy up your books.”
As Susie skipped away to the door, heading for the stairs she called back, over her shoulder.
“David.”
“Yes.”
“Who is Charles Darwin? Does he work at the Bank?”
Emma convulsed into laughter on David’s lap while David pressed his hand over her mouth.
“Not exactly Susie, I’ll explain later.” He need not have bothered; Susie was already in her bedroom stacking books onto a shelf.

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Publication Date: 03-16-2010

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