Chapter 20: Beyond the Wall

They emerged from the tunnel laughing and hugging each other, they stood in the second storeroom, looking around at the large space. “I had a thought.” Said Emily.

“Oh yes,” replied Mia, with a smirk on her face. “You’re insatiable girl. Can’t it wait till we’re home and your mum’s out?”

“That wasn’t what I was going to say, but hold that thought for later.” She said with a wicked grin on her face.

“OK then, what was your thought?” Mia asked her.

“What if this section down here was something out of the ‘70s like that club in New York you keep going on about?” Emily stated.

“Club 54?” Mia replied. “Babe, even if we wanted to it wouldn’t work. Apart from the Art Deco sign, there was nothing outstanding about the décor to that place. Besides, to make this place work it has to be extra special, we have to cater for our members. Which reminds me, this Wednesday we need to get your aunt to decide on a date to open, and we need to start thinking about staff.”

Emily put two fingers over Mia’s mouth, “I’m sorry I brought it up now.” She told her. Mia used her tongue to get a taste of the remnants of her own core, so Emily cheekily opened her two fingers and watched as Mia’s tongue ran up and down into the crease of her fingers.

“And you say it is me that’s insatiable, seems we both are.” As they laughed, hugged each other and kissed again.

The building work was going along nicely, faster in some areas and not so fast in others. The top floor was finished, the back half of the building had been made open to the weather and so was now water and weatherproof. It was an open area where there were potted palms, and sun lounges, an ideal place for those who wanted to sunbathe topless or even naked, there were of course privacy screens available for those who were still a little shy or wanted not to be disturbed. The change rooms up there were those you see on the beachfront, brightly coloured, rainbow colours, of course, high gloss, big enough for two people to change, each had their shower alcove.

The front part of the top floor was a discreet dining area, tables for two, four or eight were available. Table areas could be either open or closed, depending on the company. The chef employed was considered by many to be a 5-star chef, she helped design the kitchen with Erica, and was a no-nonsense type of person. Very direct, demanding. The sort of person Kathleen liked.

Only the very best wines were served in the dining room. Much to Michelle’s chagrin, there were only a limited amount of French wines, but some very beautiful North American wines were introduced from the Josh Cellars, nice heavy Cabernet Sauvignon, which competes well with the select few South Australian reds on offer. Of course Kathleen ensured her favourites were on the list. Most were not available anywhere else but the dining room, the name of which was going to be debated by the family. Erica and Anita, along with both Emily and Mia wanted the simple family name, ‘AMBROSE’. Kathy and Terry were, for once in agreement that it shouldn’t be, but, to add a little worldly flair to it, it should be called ‘SAXONY’. Light-hearted discussion went on for a few days until Michelle made a simple suggestion.

“Why do you need to make it so complicated madam?” She asked of her Mistress, one morning. “Why not something simple, call it what it is but in German or French.”

La salle à manger du club OWLS or possible Der OWLS Club Speisesaal [The OWLS club dining room] “Call it what it is.” She explained.

Kathleen was in her office looking at the budget and what else needed to be completed. She was deep in thought, when Michelle standing at her office door, said all that while sipping on a black coffee. Kathleen spun around on her chair. Looked at her standing there, in just a T-shirt long enough to cover her parts.

Kathy looked her up and down. She didn’t say a word, and Michelle just looked at her, the silence said everything. If love had a sound it would have been heard by all at that moment.

“You are such a beautiful person. Michelle, and so smart. Come here, sit with me, and let me hold you.”

Michelle made her way onto her Mistress’s lap, put her coffee on the desk and then put her arms around her lover’s neck, looked into her eyes, and kissed her so tenderly, with so much love and passion.

“I think you are a remarkable young woman. I love you so much.” Kathleen told her. Michelle hugged her and snuggled into her neck.

“I am going to ring Terry and see what he says about the name.” She dialled his number and it was answered almost immediately. “Hi, sis, what’s up?” He asked.

“I think Michelle has come up with a very simple solution with the name for the dining room. Call it what it is. But do it in either French or German. The problem I have with German is that it sounds so harsh. But French is lyrical almost. I’ll let Michelle tell you and you can decide which one we are going to use.”

“So we are going to call it what, just a dining room?” He asked. “Just let Michelle speak to you, but yes, rather than the family name or a long forgotten country. Just listen to her please.” She asked.

“Ello, Terry, I think we are trying to complicate something that is very simple. I am biased of course, but as Mistress said, the German language sounds very hard. Whereas French is a lot smoother and even the name of a simple room can sound so sexy. La salle à manger du club OWLS or if you want it to sound more brutish Der OWLS Club Speisesaal.” She said in a deep baritone voice.

Terry laughed, “You speak English, pretty well too. So you are not biased much are you?” he replied. “I’ll tell you what, Cynthia is here, with a friend of hers and Miriam. I’ll put you on speaker and without saying anything to them, just give them the two versions and let’s hear what they say. I’ll give them the heads up OK? You 2 keep quiet, that’s if you can.”

He put the phone on speaker and called out to the girls to join him. After several minutes, Miriam came in and said hi Kathy, hi Michelle, what’s happening?” Michelle spoke up, “Your dad, will explain when you are all together.”

Soon after two more voices were heard. “Hi everyone,” Cynthia said, “This is my friend Myrtle.”

This time Kathy spoke up, “Hi Myrtle, hi Cindy, ok Terry you can explain.”

Terry took over. “OK, I want you three to listen to two names, one in French and one in German. Tell us which one sounds better than the other. OK Michelle, over to you sweetie, do your thing.”

Michelle took a deep breath and said “Der OWLS Club Speisesaal.” But this time with no biased overtones. [“The OWLS Club Dining Room.”]

She then waited a few seconds before saying, “La salle à manger du club OWLS.” Almost singing it like a bird in springtime calling to her mate. [“The OWLS Club Dining Room.”]

Kathleen spoke up, “There you have it, which sounds better to you?”

Terry jumped in, “Shush you, and let me explain it to them.” He then took the phone off of the speaker and spoke to the girls. There was a lot of laughter. Terry then put the speaker back on and said. “It’s unanimous the French version, is softer and sexier they all think.”

“OK, then we should go along with that Terry, don’t you think?” said Kathleen. Terry agreed “I think it makes sense.” He said.

“Terry, pick up mate,” Kathleen asked. Terry put the phone to his ear and took it off the speaker.