Freeing Alex by Sarah Elizabeth Ashley

dry. Being dead straight, I never have to worry about it curling
the wrong way, unlike the battles that Anna has in the mornings. I dress
casually in my Levi’s, a gingham shirt and a pair of tan flat pumps. If I’m
shopping with Anna later I’d better be comfortable.
    Leaving the house, I grab my bag and head towards my car.
I’ve a love-hate relationship with the Audi. If I was at home – no, this is home – if I was in Staffordshire I would have no problem in driving the beast.
It’s not the car, it’s the town, the streets that are the problem, not to
mention the other drivers, they’re all lunatics, and given that I’m not used to
the geography of the place it’s a triple whammy.
    Dropping my bag and a document file onto the front seat, I
settle myself behind the wheel and carefully navigate my way to the hotel and
into the car park. Parking in my usual place, I note that there’s a very old
Vauxhall in the General Manager’s space. I hadn’t noticed it before and wonder
if it belongs to James. I lock the car, gather my things and make my way
through the recently completed new corridor. There are one or two people in the
swimming pool, I’m pleased it’s being used.
    I pass staff and try my best to acknowledge everyone as I
walk through the foyer and into the Staff Only area. I’m sure that most of the
people I speak to have no idea who I am, but they must have seen me around
before, they’ll get to know me eventually. I walk into James’s office and toss
my bag and the file onto the chair. No James!
    I flick the kettle on to make myself a tea. Rooting through
the small fridge, I find milk that looks like it was opened yesterday. I sniff
it – it doesn’t smell off, must be okay. I’ve just added the water to my mug
when Roger walks in.
    “Morning, Mrs Drake, can I have a word?” he asks, his Action
Man-like figure filling the doorframe.
    “Sure, Roger, what’s up?” I ask brightly. “Tea?” I offer.
    “No thanks, just had one. I needed to get a budget for some
temporary security, there’s that big event happening two weeks today, you know,
the one for the Premier League footballers. We’ll need extra staff, expecting
paparazzi. Thomas and I won’t be able to cover it on our own.” He’s very well
spoken, this mountain of a man, I can’t help but wonder what Thomas is like.
    “I don’t think there’ll be a problem but you need to speak
with James, he knows what budgets we have in place for this sort of thing. I
also don’t want to tread on his toes. I’m sorry I can’t give you a yes or no
now, but I’m sure it’ll be okay. Look, I’m expecting him any minute, why don’t
you wait?” I know this place is mine and I could agree whatever budget he
wants, but I said at the outset that I wouldn’t tread on any toes and I won’t.
    “Are you sure you don’t mind me waiting here?” he asks.
    “Of course, why would I mind? Are you sure you don’t want a
cuppa? Why don’t you have a seat?” I nod towards the battered leather chairs in
front of James’s desk.
    “I’m fine thank you, and I really have just had a coffee,”
his deep voice rumbles.
    He slouches against the wall just inside of the office to
the side of the doorframe. The guy really is massive.
    “Did you know Maggie?” I ask, making conversation.
    “Yes.” He smiles. “She was great. I thought the world of
your aunt.”
    My aunt , I think. “Everyone says that.” I look down,
stirring my drink. “I didn’t really know her, although I’ve learnt lots, and I
mean lots ,since she passed away.”
    We’re interrupted from our conversation with the arrival of
James who walks through the open door into his office, straight past Roger, I
don’t think he’s seen him.
    “Morning, Alex, you okay?” he asks with that huge smile.
    “I’m fine, thank you. Roger’s there.” I point to the
doorway. “He wants to ask you something.”
    “Rog. How’s it going?” James turns towards the door, facing
the huge