Premier Deception by S J Crabb Page A

their boss and she suddenly felt very small indeed. She looked
around and with a sigh jumped up. She had better get back to see
what meetings Allison had lined up. However before she could get to
the door Ronnie came in and closed it behind him and turned towards
her sending alarm bells coursing through her.
    “Well well, ” he said leeringly, “ wasn ’ t that a pretty
speech? ” He came and stood right in front
of her, so close that she could feel the heat from his body and his
breath on her face. “ Just you remember
that you are a pretend manager and don ’ t
go getting any ideas above your station. We know the score, if you
slip up that will be it for you and that immigrant driver of
yours. ” Charlotte felt trapped, she
couldn ’ t move back because the chairs
were in the way and she couldn ’ t go
forward because his body was stopping her. He pressed further
forward still enjoying his power over her. Her voice stuck in her
throat and she didn ’ t know what to do.
She looked up at him with alarm, noticing the excitement in his
face at just how helpless she was. He licked his lower lip and his
eyes blazed. Just then, to her immense relief, they heard somebody
pushing the door open and Ronnie sprang back saying, “ so Sylvia and I wanted to invite you over for
dinner tomorrow night to meet everyone. Just informal we wanted to
welcome you to the team, about 7.30pm. I ’ ll text you the address. ” He
turned to see Luke entering the room. “ You too Luke we can all get to know each other
properly, ” and with that he left the
room.
    Luke saw her face and
a dark look passed over it. “ What was he
saying to you? ” he said in a low
voice. “ Nothing. ” Charlotte said, she wasn ’ t about
to start running to Luke with her problems, it would only make him
even more sure that this had all been a big mistake, she wanted to
get out of the room as quickly as she could. The thought of going
to Ronnie ’ s house tomorrow filled her
with dread but she realised she had to go otherwise they would feel
that she didn ’ t want to get to know the
team or mix with them. She vowed to keep a lot of distance between
her and Ronnie in the future. Looking at Luke scowling at her she
wasn ’ t sure that he could be trusted
either. They all seemed to resent her; the only ones she could
count on were Max and Allison.
    Charlotte went to find Max. She saw him
out by the car and headed towards him. She called out and he turned
around. She was so glad to see a friendly face. As he looked at her
a frown came over his face. “What is the matter Charlotte, why do
you look so sad?” Charlotte was surprised, goodness was it that
obvious, she must learn to control her expressions more. “Oh it’s
nothing,” she said not wanting to tell him what had happened. She
would find a way to deal with that situation at another time.
“Please can you take me back to the stadium? I have to see Allison
about my schedule.” He looked at her thoughtfully and she noticed
that his eyes had almost turned black and a strange look passed
over his face that almost instantly went as quickly as it had come,
maybe she had imagined it she thought. “Of course I will,” he said
and as he held the door open for her she couldn’t see the angry
look that had passed over his face.
    They didn’t talk much on the way back.
Charlotte was thinking about the events at the training ground and
Max appeared lost in his own thoughts.
     

Chapter
9

    On returning to the stadium Charlotte
was glad to get to the safety of her office. On entering it she was
amazed to see dozens of bunches of beautiful flowers taking up
residence on every available surface. Allison came in and laughed
at her expression. “Who on earth are all these from?” Charlotte
said incredulously. Allison replied. “Mostly from other football
managers, sponsors, fans, press, you name it they’ve sent it.”
Charlotte was surprised but also touched. “Is this normal, I mean
did the last