Loving Alex by Sarah Elizabeth Ashley

the
sumptuous, elegant surroundings. “This is lovely Alex, absolutely beautiful!”
    I’m used to it now, although I too was blown away by the
opulence of the place when I first came her only a few months ago. “Do you want
to go and see James first, and then I’ll show you around?” I ask.
    “Can we look around first?” She smiles.
    “Sure. Come on.”
    I show her the bar area, the restaurant, “Just give me a
moment Gia, I need a quick word with Marcus.”
    She waits by the archway as I get Marcus’s attention. He
wobbles over towards me after sitting a couple in the centre of the restaurant
which is currently very busy.
    “Mrs. Drake. We haven’t seen you for a few days.”
    “We’ve been away Marcus. Look, I wanted to ask how Lola is.
We had a few words, Lola, James and I, a couple of days ago.” I explain.
    “Umm, Mr. Aconi did mention it, said that her attitude was,
well terrible I suppose. She’s been okay down here though, but of course Mrs.
Drake I wouldn’t stand for it, you know that, bad manners and attitude.” He’s a
firm look on his face, yes I know that Marcus would soon bring her back into
line if she showed any attitude down here.
    “No, I know you would, but just keep an eye on her though.
She worried me a little.” I explain.
    “Of course Mrs. Drake. You’re not eating with us today?” He
asks.
    “No Marcus, we’ve already had lunch. Anyway, good to see you
again.”
    I turn leaving Marcus and walk to find Gia by the archway
entrance to the restaurant and show her the remainder of the public areas and
then the new orangery and pool.
    “This is lovely Alex, really, really lovely.” She gushes.
    “Shall we go and see James?” I suggest.
    “Please.”
    I lead Gia through the foyer and the Staff Only door,
up the four flights of stairs, which she struggles with, and along the corridor
to James’ office.
    I knock and enter with Gia following puffing and blowing,
James is sat behind the big old desk with the usual stack of papers.
    “Alex, Gia. What a surprise!” He stands and walks around
hugging Gia first and then me, “It’s lovely to see you both. Did you have a
good shop?”
    “It was great James,” Gia replies, “Alex treated me. She’s
very kind!”
    “Oh, that’s good. So what did you buy?” He asks me, raising
his eyebrows and smiling.
    “I got a new handbag, one that my phone won’t keep falling
to the bottom of, a lovely new dress for when you take me clubbing again and
some perfume because I was running low, that’s all.”
    “We’re clubbing again are we?” He frowns.
    “Yes. You know I spoke with Nial a few weeks ago, well I
need to meet with him, we need to sort a proper meeting. You should come with me
and then I want to spend a bit more time there one evening when it’s open.” I
look at him, I know he remembers the night that he was awkward with me and our,
or rather my, evening was cut short.
    “Yes. We’ll have to make some arrangements.” His tone is thoughtful,
I can see the cogs turning in that tatty head of his, he remembers that night
very well I’m sure.
    “We will, we must.” I acknowledge his comment and turn to
Gia. “Gia, James won’t have told you but he’s stepping down from the General
Manager role here. I’m appointing him as a director of Reid’s, he’ll still run things but be able to spend more time, especially evenings, at home.”
    I can see from James’ face that he’ s still not entirely
happy about this, but as far as I’m concerned he’s agreed.
    “That’s wonderful news!” Gia gushes, “Well done James, well
done son!” She walks around to the man she took under her wing all those years
ago and hugs him tightly. “Well done, your dad would be so very proud, proud of everything James.” She says quietly.
    He pulls away from Gia’s embrace, a little embarrassed and
uncomfortable I think!
    “I saw Muriel outside Harrods, or at least I’m pretty sure I
saw her!” I say as I flick though some