We Promise Not to Tell

by Albert Able

  I on the other hand was totally lost in a sea of strange new manoeuvres, which had nothing to do with running hotels. “What if they make us personally bankrupt won’t that stop us from fulfilling our long term project?”

  Stan looked horrified. “Don’t tell me that you gave personal guarantees?”

  I nodded with embarrassment. “I’m afraid so and cross guaranteed it with the City Express Hotel; it was the only way the bank would agree the loans.”

  “Ah, you didn’t mention the guarantees; I’m afraid that makes it all a bit different.” Stan placed his pen deliberately on the table and stroked his beard in silence. “I think in that case” he continued unruffled by the change in tack “what we have to do is confront the bank. First we tell them that if they insist with their proposed demand for repayment, we will have to consider filing for personal and corporate bankruptcy,” he wagged a finger at me “I guarantee they do not really want to complete the building project themselves nor do they want to run an hotel.” Stan jotted down more notes. “I doubt if they’ll quickly find anyone else keen to buy the property in its current stage of development and if the work stops and the site becomes idle for any time at all it will be that much more expensive to re-start the project.” Stan was almost talking to himself. “I bet that if we call their bluff by threatening to leave a massive problem on their hands but then go back with a more viable solution; incorporating the ‘development grants’ for instance, they will almost certainly go along with allowing us to complete the building.” Stan then looked directly me. “I know this is the bit you won’t like but I suggest that we agree to sell the ‘City Express Hotel’. In addition we agree to sell the part complete ‘Highway Express’ site. We could tell them that we will instruct agents to start marketing it immediately.”

  I was horrified and Connie sucked in her breath but Stan raised his hand as she started to protest.

  “Please before either of you say anything, just remember that your real ambition is to build an chain of ‘Economy with Style’ budget hotels; yes?”

  “Yes?” I mumbled.

  “Okay, then I promise you this is the best way to achieve it.”

  “But” I protested.

  Stan stopped me again. “You asked me for advice and this is what I think. Of course you don’t have to take any notice but just let me say one more thing, before I leave you to think it over. A little more than two years ago you put your neck on the line to help me. You had no reason to do that but you did, and my life changed forever. I promise you, that my experience in various businesses and as a Chartered Accountant in my former life, tells me that you know just about every thing there is to do with the successful running of a profitable hotel group. Capitalising and structuring a massive financial empire however is not yet your strongest skill. Believe me start this enterprise off on the right foot and success will follow. The current financial structure situation is I fear doomed and might ruin all your chances of success. So please trust me, as I trusted you.”

  Stan stood up and moved across to the old pram. “Incidentally you may not think much of my old perambulator but one day it and the contents will be yours, okay?”

  I muttered a casual ‘thank you’ and left; we had to get home to talk in private, my mind buzzing with the true meaning and possible consequences of all Stan had said.

  We walked back to our apartment in silence. God bless Connie, as soon as the door closed behind us, instead of screaming and tearing her hair out as I had expected, she was the one to be cool calm and collected.

  She stood facing me reached out and pulled me close to her and hugged me. “First thing to remember my darling” She snuggled into my neck. “What ever else, we will always have each other.” She sniffed a tear away and looked up at me smiling reassurance.

  I must admit that up to that moment I had never felt so empty and lost and but for Connie’s presence heaven knows what I might have done.

  She hugged me again “Come on let’s have a cup of tea and then we’ll think carefully through exactly what Stan is suggesting.”

  And that is exactly what we did and it was Connie who encouraged me. It was Connie who played down the possible effects of loosing everything and it was Connie who held my hand and gently pulled me back to my senses.

  A couple of hours later I telephoned Stan; I knew he was still reluctant to have a public presence yet he readily agreed to join us in another meeting at the bank.

  Raines Bullock the bank manager agreed to see us the following morning but assuming he was still smarting from Connie’s last outburst, we persuaded her that we could handle the next meeting on our own.

  “Stan Richards our new company accountant.” I introduced Stan formally.

  Raines Bullock shook hands indifferently and pointed to two chairs. I noticed that they were significantly lower than Bullocks own allowing him to tower above us as we faced him.

  “So what do have you to tell me. Have you found a replacement funder already?” Looking down at us Bullock attempted a smile.

  Stan and I had already agreed on our strategy; we were simply going to ask that the bank delay any action as we were applying for the Government development grants, which would be used to complete the project.

  Stan had already explained to me that when a bank manager is found with his fingers in the till like poor old Dan Forrester; it is always assumed that if the manager is corrupt so are some of the customers’ which is why they always send in a ‘hit man’ to sort it all out and Raines Bullock was the man in this case.

  It was obvious therefore that what ever we suggested was going to be refused; the important thing was to try to get more time and then strike a deal which caused the least damage.

  “I understand you hold personal and cross guarantees from Mr & Mrs Detori and City Express Hotel on all the loans?” Stan asked innocently.

  “That’s right” Bullock replied smugly sitting back in his chair.

  “I couldn’t find them in the files; do you think I could see a copy please?” Stan smiled politely.

  Raines Bullock picked up the telephone and snapped some instructions. “They’ll be here in just a couple of minutes,” he replaced the receiver and looked up “tell me more about these grants?” He asked with renewed interest.

  Stan had just finished explaining how they were applicable to this project and how they could be obtained, without of course the bit about the ‘tame’ adjudicator, when there was a gentle tap on the door and a fair-haired young man entered “The papers you asked for” He fawned gazing at Raines Bullock.

  “Thank you Rupert.” Raines replied politely accepting the file.

  “Is there anything else?” The young man asked coyly.

  “No that’s all for now.” Bullock smiled again as the young man minced out of the door.

  Stan accepted the papers. “I take it these are copies that I can take with me?”

  “Of course”

  “Thank you, we also have another investor ready to support the project but I need to get all my ducks in a row before I can make a comprehensive proposal to you. With this in mind we need time to make all the arrangements, say an extra month?”

  “Sorry,” Bullock shook his head “the month you have is all I am authorised to grant, at least until a meaningful proposal is on the table.”

  “Well I thought I’d ask; anyway let me have a look at these as well and we’ll get back to you.” Stan smiled stood up and headed for the door I followed.

  The meeting was over and other than introducing Stan, I hadn’t spoken a word but as we walked down the street Stan suddenly elbowed me, he looked pleased with himself. “I think we’ve got him,” he winked at me “we need to get him around to the City Express for a drink, we can say it’s to show him around the hotel he is about to repossess.”

  “What good will that do?” I asked doubting the wisdom of such a move.

  “Did you notice the look on his face when that little puff entered the office?” Stan grinned �
�I think our Mr Nasty Raines Bullock, may have an appetite for young men!”

  I admit that I hadn’t noticed at the time but how to take advantage of the knowledge, sprang instantly into my mind and suddenly all my depression and brain numbing lethargy lifted. I knew how to fix the arrogant Mr ‘Hit-man’ Raines Bullock or as Stan had nick named him Mr Nasty.

  Right on cue and tempted by an invitation to tour the ‘investments’ followed by dinner at the hotel, Raines Bullock readily accepted.

  I was surprised how interested Bullock appeared to be in the running of hotels a subject of which he clearly had little previous knowledge and he kept repeating things like. “Capital investment aside the cash flows and gross margins are really quite exciting aren’t they!”

  Our plan was to fire his imagination for our benefit but it soon became clear that Raines Bullock had an agenda of his own and so over dinner we gradually learned more of the ‘Mr Nasties’ private life. Seems he was married a little late in life but now had a devoted wife, two teenage sons and one younger daughter; he was a school governor, a prominent member of Rotary and obviously, in his words ‘a good all round family man.’ It also became clear that he was an openly ambitious man and in spite of the senior position and significant salary he enjoyed at the bank was looking for something better.

  Dinner and the conversation were lubricated with several glasses of excellent wine; then we moved to the lounge bar for coffee. Raines Bullock settled for a large measure of Hine Antique Cognac and the atmosphere became a little more relaxed.

  At a table close to the bar a young couple sat comfortably drinking and quietly chatting to each other.

  Bullock kept staring at the couple to the point where the attractive young man finally returned his gaze with a knowing smile.

  Stan did not drink alcohol from choice, he had seen enough of its ravages amongst his former companions ‘on the road’, and had soon noticed Bullocks interest in the young couple.

  “Do you mind if a couple of friends of mine join us?” Stan gestured to the couple and looked at Bullock questioningly.

  “Not at all.” Bullock replied politely.

  “Jonathan and Hannah.” Stan introduced the couple as they took up the offered seats.

  More cognacs were ordered and the conversation flowed. After a while Stan got up “You’ll have to excuse me but I have a big day tomorrow.” He bowed politely and left.

  It was obvious that Bullock was more interested in the young couple especially the young man, offering only a per functionary goodbye wave as Stan left.

  The couple also seemed to take the hint and signalled their intention to leave. This gave me the opportunity to bring the evening to a close but not before Raines Bullock had offered one of his business cards to the young man.

  “We come in here for a drink most evenings on the way home” Hannah smiled coyly.

  “We’d love to see you again” Jonathan oozed with a blatant flutter of his long eyelashes.

  Raines staggered a little as he stood up. “You never know, I may well be in here quite a bit in future and I so look forward to seeing you both again.” He emphasised.

  “A taxi?” I suggested to the banker as the others walked away.

  “Please” Raines Bullock agreed “nice couple.” He added glancing back one last time and then left without further comment.

  The following evening the young couple were sitting in their place at the bar when Raines Bullock entered. “Well hello” he greeted them with pleasure “here let me get you a drink.”

  They spent the next two hours chatting laughing before Bullock eventually made his way home.

  They met again on the following evening but this time Bullock invited them to dinner. “I suggest we eat here, the food is acceptable and the wine even more so.” He laughed and led them to the Restaurant.

  I observed them discreetly the conversation seemed to flow without pause. Eventually the couple excused themselves and left. Bullock signed the bill explaining to the headwaiter that ‘he had an arrangement with that Mr Detori’.

  I spoke to Stan the next morning. “Do you think this is going to work?”

  . “I felt so sure,” Stan shook his head “it’s a bit like fishing you know, you just have to be patient.”

  There was nothing else to do but wait and Stan’s intuition was rewarded the next evening.

  The couple were not at their usual place at the bar when Raines Bullock entered; he looked about anxiously ordered a drink and sat at a table scanning his Evening Standard.

  Almost an hour later the young couple entered accompanied by another attractive, though older lady. “Hello, fancy seeing you in here?” They joked in greeting.

  Bullock rose to meet them. “And who have we here?” He queried holding out his hand to the lady.

  “This is Lorain, an old friend of mine.” Hannah introduced her.

  “Not so much of the old thank you; now this must be the man I’ve been hearing so much about?” Lorain smiled graciously and clasped Raines outstretched hand.

  “Delighted to meet you.” Raines replied aware of the flush of excitement at the touch of her hand. “What can I get you all?” Raines stammered after a pause, consciously pulling himself together.

  “Loraine is a regular guest at the hotel.” Hannah explained.

  “Yes I am working on a project near here and so have been spending a couple of nights a week here.” Lorain smiled coyly.

  Each time Raines heard the seductive purr of Loraine’s voice his heart rate seemed to increase dramatically. It wasn’t long before he had invited them all to dinner and was graphically impressing them with his knowledge of fine wines so by the time they arrive at the coffee and liquors stage they were all relaxed and slightly giggly.

  Loraine drained the remaining wine from her glass. “Why don’t we have coffee and liquors in my room, after all what’s the point of having the best room in the house if we don’t take advantage of it eh?” Loraine placed her slender hand on Raines wrist. “The management here like to spoil me and give me a suite at the same rate as a regular room.” She smiled and pressed his wrist very lightly.

  Raines Bullock could hardly speak; he was a man who although married and with three teenage children had only occasionally found himself looking with envy at attractive ladies, though more disturbingly perhaps, found himself aroused by certain young men.

  Suddenly Raine’s emotions were in turmoil as he sat almost holding hands with what he considered to be a most stunningly beautiful women; yet his infatuation for her competed with the gorgeous young man he had fantasised about for the last week who was also sitting just feet away.

  “A great idea” Raines agreed hardly believing the sound of his own voice.

  The others concurred at once and it was only a matter of minutes before they were sitting in Loraine’s tastefully furnished suite.

  “The other good thing about this suite is that we don’t need room service.” Loraine pulled open a long hatch in the wall to reveal a large cocktail cabinet. “Let’s see,” she pondered “I expect for a man with such discerning taste as you.” Loraine reached for a bottle. “Yes, I think Hine Antique?” She looked at Raines questioningly.

  “Spot on young lady.” He settled back into the comfortable settee.

  Loraine poured two large measures into the each of the double hand size cognac goblets and settled into the settee close to Raines. “Thank you for a lovely dinner.” She said softly, raising her glass.

  Raines simply nodded and sipped at the golden liquid. “Oh boy,” he declared. “Now that is the best way to finish a good evening.”

  “Those two seem to have a different idea.” She motioned towards the couple as Jonathan and Hannah walked hand in hand to the open bedroom door.

  Raines Bullock’s emotions went into spasm as he was confronted with the prospect of the young man for whom he felt this strange emotion, going to bed with someone else. The moment passed however, as he jumped from the near electric shock
of Loraine’s hand slipping gently into his.

  The erection growing in his pants did not know what it really wanted; the only thing Raines knew for sure was that one way or another, he was about to be laid.

  Loraine moved closer brushing his cheek with her lips. Raines did not speak just turned slightly and kissed her lightly on the lips sending another violent tingle through his stomach to his throbbing erection.

  That was the end of caution as they enveloped into a wild tangle of arms and legs seeking the multitude of buttons and clasps hindering access to the softer more erogenous regions of their bodies.

  It wasn’t long before they lay naked on the deep-piled rug on the floor kissing and caressing each other like hungry animals. It was Loraine who paused for breath. “I don’t want to stop but the bed would be much more comfortable?”

  Raines lay back as the passion subsided for a moment; the rug he admitted did little to disguise the hard floor. “But the others?” he whispered.

  “Don’t worry.” Loraine got up and pulled him up to her.

  Raines held her in his arms and kissed her “You are so beautiful” he murmured.

  “Come on, let’s see what the others are up to” she kissed him again teasingly before gently pulling him to the open bedroom door where they found Jonathan and Hannah wrapped around each other hugging and kissing on the enormous bed.

  They stopped as Raines and Loraine entered. “Don’t stop,” Loraine encouraged “okay if we join in?”

  Stunned and speechless, Raines Bullock stopped dead and looked away, his proud erection toppling over like a falling chimney.

  Loraine anticipated his reluctance. “It’s the only bed and they love to be watched, especially Jonathan” she tugged his hand gently “come on, it’s only a bit of fun.”