Last orders, p.3
Last Orders, page 3
Managing to find all the biscuit elements with ease, the boys packed the large shopping bag and took a handle each before walking out of the shop. Jakob’s jaw fell and he dropped his side of the bag, shouting, “There’s the bad man!”
MJ headed quickly to the door and looked up the road. It was Graham.
Chapter 6
Guests began to filter through security at the British Embassy, disposing of their coats and umbrellas at the cloakroom. Whilst the weekend had been crisp and sunny, the weather had turned grey, windy with a steady flow of drizzle, which felt like it could turn to sleet or snow at any minute. A keen member of staff frantically chased the wet footprints with a mop the second they appeared in a desperate attempt to avoid any slips on the immaculately polished floor. Spotlights in the wall followed the stairs up into a vast modern space with striking architecture. At the top of the stairs, trays of champagne, beer and orange juice were offered to guests.
After nearly an hour of networking and drinking, the crowd of chatty tourism professionals were ushered through into a side room that was set up theatre style facing a large pull-down screen. In the left-hand corner was a small, raised area with a lectern and microphone, next to which Robin and Leah stood chatting together with the British Ambassador.
After an amusing introduction from the Ambassador and an update on the German market, Leah was invited to the podium to give her speech, followed fifteen minutes later by Robin. Both were adept at public speaking and came across well, their arguments well-constructed and backed up with concrete evidence and statistics.
A handful of questions were taken from the audience before the Ambassador thanked both candidates and announced that drinks and canapés would be served shortly. Like a couple of famous actors, a number of guests waited eagerly to congratulate and talk to Leah and Robin.
After the interest died down, the pair breathed a sigh of relief and went in search of champagne, hoping that the alcoholics that are the travel industry hadn’t managed to drink the Embassy dry of bubbles.
Anne-Marie called over loudly. “Hey Leah, have you got a second, please?”
Leah made her apologies to Robin and said she’d be back with him shortly.
“Hello Anne-Marie, nice to see you. How can I help?”
The pair hadn’t spoken for a long time and there was an awkwardness. Anne-Marie, as always, was straight to the point, though.
“My cousin Noah, from here, Berlin, will be in London in a few weeks and he’s looking for some work experience. As he’s studying IT and enjoys the theatre, is there any chance he could work at Global Tickets for a few months?”
Leah nodded. “Absolutely, our current intern is leaving on Friday, so it would be perfect timing. What’s his English like?”
“Better than mine,” said Anne-Marie, “do you want to meet him whilst you’re here?”
Leah suggested they meet the following morning in the foyer of the Westin Hotel. Anne-Marie nodded in agreement and took out her cracked phone to message her cousin straight away.
“Sorry about that,” said Leah returning to Robin, “she wants her German cousin to do work experience with me, so I’ve agreed to meet him tomorrow.”
“You’re very kind,” said Robin, his eyes scanning every inch of her body.
“I’m always on the look-out for young talent.”
Robin cleared his throat, “Leah, would you care to join me for dinner tonight?”
“I’m sorry, but I’m rather shattered so was just planning on having an early night.”
Robin looked disappointed and gave a reluctant nod.
Leah put down her half-full glass on the table and headed over to say goodbye to her sales team before walking back down the shiny staircase. She collected her long coat and scarf from the cloakroom and left through security giving a courteous smile to the two stern-looking guards. Outside, a biting wind swirled around, and the drizzle had turned to snowy raindrops. Leah took out her phone to order an Uber. She frowned when she saw there was a 7-minute wait and, as if a mind reader, one of the security guards suggested she wait inside. Heading back in, she sent a message to Georgia.
Just waiting for an Uber, run the bath and I’ll bring the champagne
***
Less than a mile away at the Westin Hotel, Georgia felt a few flutters go through her body as she read the message. She could definitely get used to travelling with Leah, it was a completely different life to what she was used to, in so many ways. The hotel was amazing, and, thanks to Leah’s contacts, they were given an upgrade to a suite and not just any old suite, a spa suite. Georgia had had her eyes on the jacuzzi bath since they arrived on Saturday afternoon, but to her disappointment, Leah had a full weekend of sightseeing planned, including visits to some top restaurants and bars. Tonight, however, would be the night to experience bubbles, champagne and get her claws into her beautiful woman. As she removed her clothes and put on the fluffy dressing gown, her phone beeped again and she half expected a suggestive photo from Leah, but much to her disappointment, it was from Graham. Having recently moved into her mother’s saying she needed space, he didn’t know of her whereabouts. A good job, really, as she spent most of the time with Leah instead of where he thought she was.
Can I call, need to talk?
Shit, not now, thought Georgia and texted back Sorry can’t talk now, am in Berlin on work trip, will call when I’m back
She continued to look at Graham’s text and suddenly felt all over the place. Opening the door to the minibar under the TV, she removed a miniature Beefeater gin and poured it into a glass along with a can of tonic water. After taking a couple of large gulps, Georgia felt more rational and gave herself a couple of objectives, which she would assign dates to. After all, she thought, remembering a quote from her university lecturer, an objective without a date is simply a dream. Right, number one, within a month tell Graham that our marriage is over and number two, tell Leah about my marriage to Graham. Hmm let’s also put a one-month deadline on that too.
She stood up straight and took another mouthful of gin and tonic. Until she met Leah at the end of last year, she found herself becoming dependent on alcohol; it was the only way she could deal with her husband’s outbursts of rage and anger. She dreaded going home after work and opening the front door. Opening a bottle became a source of comfort, which she’d get shouted at for doing. Ironic, as she knew he went straight to the pub every day after work before getting the train home and probably sank half a dozen pints. Before moving out, she became an expert in anticipating when he’d start to get physical and begin his indoor bowling practice, taking anything of a certain size and hurling it at a nearby wall. Whilst he never hit her as such or raised a hand, she sometimes wished he would as then she would have a reason to get out of the relationship. Occasionally, he’d be nice and cook a meal for her or take her out and she’d think maybe he was going through a tough time at work or something, but it never lasted more than a couple of days before returning to his usual dark ways. Even recently, on a winter’s walk around London, he’d turned on her and started shouting. She used to joke with herself that life would be so much easier if she went out with a woman but deep down, she knew that wasn’t the solution. But since meeting Leah, she believed she might have actually found somebody that finally treated her with respect and as an equal. Her thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of another message from Graham.
Want to come to the pub quiz on Thursday evening?
Not really, she thought, but at least it would be a good opportunity to see the pub, where he seemed to spend half his life. She sent a text back saying simply OK but then wondered if she’d made the right choice.
***
With the arrival time of the Uber getting later by the minute, Leah decided to walk back after all. As she turned up the collar of her coat and put on her black leather gloves, ready to brave the elements, Robin approached and offered to walk her back to the hotel. Without time to think, she agreed, and they walked together along Unter den Linden, leaving the impressive Brandenburg Gate lit up behind them.
“I’m staying at the Maritim Hotel, which is just a couple of minutes past yours I believe,” said Robin, as he opened the umbrella and like a gent, held it over Leah.
They shared some chit chat about Berlin, but there was no mention of either dinner or work, which suited Leah down to the ground. As they approached the shiny gold overhang of the Westin, with a queue of yellow taxis under it, Leah turned to say goodnight to Robin, but he said he needed to visit the little boys’ room, so they walked into the luxurious foyer together before saying their goodbyes. Leah headed across to the bar and talked to the mature-looking barman, who took the request for a bottle of champagne for room service like a regular occurrence. She smiled, signed the receipt and headed across to the lifts.
Having the lift to herself, Leah took the opportunity to touch up her lipstick and apply a generous amount of body spray. Smiling to herself, she undid all her shirt buttons before fastening her coat back up. The lift arrived at floor 6 with a brief jolt before the gleaming silver doors opened. She strutted along the plush carpeted corridor before knocking on the door and waiting with anticipation. The door opened to reveal Georgia had her own surprise, wearing her dressing gown very loosely, and showing a considerable amount of flesh, her shiny brown hair flicked to one side, and her tongue licked her lips. She moved towards Leah and gently pushed her against the wall, closing the door with a forceful kick of the foot.
***
Robin waited until the lift doors had closed before strolling over to the bar and propping himself up on one of the sturdy orange stools. The bar looked immaculate with the brightly coloured spirit bottles glistening after a recent polish. He ordered a whisky and struck up a conversation with the head barman, who was impressed by his German.
Finishing his drink in one, Robin shook hands with the barman before making his way to the lift. He waited with an elderly American couple; they entered together, and the couple pressed 2 and asked which floor he wanted.
“6 please,” replied Robin.
The couple exited on floor 2 and said goodnight to Robin; the doors closed, and the lift continued to floor 6. He turned left and proceeded along the hallway until he came to Spa Suite 1. He hesitated for a moment and checked the corridor – all quiet. He crept towards the door and took out a small device from his pocket, which he raised to the peephole in the door. After a few seconds, he lowered the device and stared at the door, his eyes unable to blink. He lifted his chin and walked back along the corridor, his fists clenched and knuckles ready to rip through his skin.
Chapter 7
Despite his head pounding, Andy was up, showered and dressed in his suit by 7am. He then returned to being horizontal, urging the Nurofen to start taking effect, as he thought back to the previous evening. The event at the Embassy went well, Andy wouldn’t admit it aloud, especially not to Anne-Marie, but he thought Leah had an edge over Robin on the debate front. The snippets of humour she added certainly made a difference but overall, it was just the way she engaged with the audience, that seemed to have people captivated.
After the event, he and Anne-Marie stopped off for some schnitzel and chips before going to a weird little bar for a drink. Maybe it was the alcohol, but Anne-Marie opened up about her mum being ill and inferred that she may need to take a break from work as and when the time came. It was a more tender side to her than she usually showed. As if realising, she changed subjects and caught Andy off guard asking about his family. He told Anne-Marie that he only saw his mum occasionally and didn’t have anything to do with his dad or older brothers anymore. Whether it was the cosy, homelike interior of the bar, the drink or Anne-Marie being motherly, but Andy remembered talking about his teenage years being weird. He admitted that he still didn’t know the identity of his real dad, just that he’s Spanish and someone his mum had a one-night fling with whilst on holiday with her friends. He confessed that he didn’t like dealing with his emotions, which probably explained why he’d never managed to hold down a proper relationship with anyone. Anne-Marie made some comment about him not holding back from sleeping with lasses though, to which he explained it was just physical and didn’t mean anything. He assumed those he went with felt the same as they never said anything to the contrary; either that or he was totally crap in bed and nobody fancied coming back for a second helping. After a wave of self-consciousness, he recalled it was his turn to change the subject and asked Anne-Marie if she had anyone special in her life. She pointed to her head and told Andy how she was fucked up, and how her mouth didn’t listen to her brain before it opened. Not knowing what to say, another example of how he couldn’t deal with other people’s emotions, let alone his own, he suggested going back to the hotel for a nightcap.
The second alarm went off signalling that it was time to haul himself off the bed and head down to breakfast. Andy walked a few metres along the corridor and knocked on Anne-Marie’s door. She was dressed and looked spritely, although behind the heavy make-up, Andy expected there was a dehydrated and tired face. He was amazed by how much beer she could put away, not to mention the bottle of red wine, which she referred to as a nightcap.
“How are you feeling?” said Andy.
“On top of the fucking world ...”
After a hearty breakfast, Andy and Anne-Marie headed out of the hotel towards the main station and along to the U-Bahn.
“Isn’t that Robin over there with his case?” said Anne-Marie.
Odd, thought Andy, the trade show was only starting today. He watched as Anne-Marie trudged over to him and plodded back a few minutes later, looking a little out of breath.
“Well, what’s he up to?”
“Off to Hamburg apparently.”
After three stops on the U-Bahn and one change, they walked into the Westin Hotel.
“You know it would’ve been quicker to walk, don’t you?”
“Aye, but I didn’t want to walk; there he is.” Anne-Marie walked over to her cousin and gave him one of her special bear hugs. She introduced Andy to Noah and sat at the sofas to wait for Leah. Before long, the lift doors opened and two women walked across the lobby; one was Leah and they didn’t recognise the other one. The two shared a brief kiss before separating; Leah walked towards them looking professional in her trouser suit and heeled boots.
As Leah approached, Anne-Marie muttered something under her breath and put on a completely over the top cheesy grin. Andy wondered what she was up to, as, he expected did Leah, despite her facial expression not changing in the slightest. Noah stood up and waited patiently to be introduced to the person he hoped to be working for in a few weeks’ time. He addressed Leah formally as ‘Miss Pope’ and shook her hand firmly. Maintaining eye contact, he waited until Leah had sat down and then took his seat seconds after. Andy looked on, impressed by his natural politeness and manners, worlds away from his foul-mouthed older cousin.
With Anne-Marie and Andy on the periphery of the conversation, Leah and Noah seemed to be getting on well and after fifteen minutes, Leah announced that she would be delighted to welcome Noah to the Global Tickets family. They discussed start dates and Leah made a few notes on her phone.
“Thank you, Miss Pope for your time. I’m genuinely excited to work with you.”
“Please, Noah, call me Leah.”
They shared another firm handshake and Leah said her goodbyes before disappearing swiftly back across the lobby. Anne-Marie looked towards the lifts indignantly and shook her head.
“Damn, I was hoping she’d order a taxi that we could’ve shared. Guess we’ll have to get back on the train now.”
“We can get a taxi if you want?” said Andy.
“On our expenses? I don’t think so.”
***
Returning to her hotel room, Leah made a mental note to ask her PA to get the paperwork sent out to Noah as soon as possible. He seemed very personable and had a grasp of the key system requirements, which meant one of her team wouldn’t need to start the training from scratch, so better to get him signed up before he changed his mind. Deep down, she took some pleasure in the fact that Anne-Marie was starting to talk and be reasonable with her again, albeit taking a couple of decades to do so.
In the suite, Georgia sat at the end of the vast bed and looked in a world of her own.
“Earth to Georgia.”
“Sorry, just thinking how I’d like to stay here a bit longer.”
Leah walked over to the bed and gently pushed Georgia’s shoulders back on to the crumpled duvet. She bent down, lifted up Georgia’s top and gave her stomach a lingering kiss, which sent a shiver down her spine. “If you like hotels, then you’ve met the right woman.”
She continued to move her mouth along Georgia’s bare skin, thinking she wouldn’t mind staying there a bit longer either. Leah lifted her head to see her girlfriend’s eyes closing in pleasure; but just then, the phone rang.
“Shit, that’s the taxi, c’mon let’s get out of here.”
Once in the taxi, with Georgia still in a thoughtful mood, Leah managed to write a few emails. As they approached the exhibition grounds, traffic became a little heavier; Leah put her phone away and reached for her girlfriend’s melancholy face.
“Hey, what is it?”
“I’ve had such a good time; I don’t want to leave you.”
The two shared an intimate hug before realising the taxi had stopped outside the hall and the driver watched them through the rear-view mirror.
Leah handed Georgia some euros before shutting the door and blowing a kiss at the window. She’d miss her too, she thought, annoyed she’d fallen for her so quickly.
***
After two trains, and what seemed like hundreds of steps and a ridiculously long walk between the train station and the exhibition ground, Anne-Marie looked like death warmed up. Midway through using her scarf to wipe the sweat from her face, she clocked Leah getting out of a yellow taxi. “What the fuck is that about?”
