Chapter 3

I came out of the Spa and into the Bistro for a quick lunch. I messaged May and Liz to inform them of the funeral arrangements.

Liz to inform her, as I said I would. May, to let her know Mum’s reaction. Which I agreed with, as she wasn’t giving Dad time to decide, I knew he wouldn’t be there.

My phone beeped. I had a long, informative message from Fay.

It read, “Dear Barry, thanks so much for inviting me to the tasting. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

“Judy’s wines are all from an excellent wine negociant in Burgundy who handles the grapes from some of the best plots in the region.

“Their table wine is the best I’ve ever tasted. I can’t drink your current table wine.

“I’ve made a list of the best producers in six different regions, including Champagne.

“If you give me your email address, I’ll email it to you with all the contact numbers you’ll need.

“Any interaction we may have, I’d prefer it to be private, and most importantly, discreet.

“My French is good, and I’m also an excellent negotiator. Suppose you’d like to know anything about my private life. Please ask, as I’d like to get to know you better. Regards, Fay.”

My reply to Fay was immediate, thanking her for her help, as the information would be immensely helpful to me.

I also told her I’d love to get to know her better, but I had limited time with all the work I had to do to make my mark on the hotel.

I told her I wasn’t dating anyone at the moment. Discretion and honesty were important to me.

I mentioned I’d love to learn more about her private life, as I found her to be a very attractive, voluptuous woman.

Finally, I suggested we message each other, understanding that anytime we could meet, we would do so.

I sent the message as I did. I received a new message from Fay.

It read, “Barry, I forgot to mention in the email that I can suggest a local haulage company that I’ve used for deliveries.

Their prices are competitive, with three-day delivery from France, including Customs.

At the Burgundy company, you’ll likely be ordering a container load, but please ask them for a quote.

If you need me for anything else, please let me know.”

In the office, Jo and Jim, the Food and Beverage Manager, were working on the new wine list.

I was so happy when Jim told us our wine stocks were low. We had enough for this weekend, as we’d need to order on Friday to get delivery on Monday.

This got me thinking, as I’d now printed out Fay’s email with the six regional best, each with links to their vineyards.

Fay had also named their best wines, which would allow us to order only our wines on pallets.

We couldn’t speak to France as we were an hour behind them. I took a chance and called the transport company Fay had suggested.

It was answered on the third ring. I knew the name and the voice when the recipient said, “Gary Harper, how can I help you?”

“Is that Gary Harper who regularly takes weekend breaks at the Spa Hotel?”

“It is indeed. Who are you?”

“I’m Barry. You do not know how happy I am talking to you.”

“Barry, I’m so sorry about Tom. How can I help you? What do you need moved?”

I told him we were setting up a wine company to import our wine. I explained I’d be ordering the wines tomorrow, hoping to have them next week.

I told him I’d need a container from Burgundy and pallet loads from six regions. He told me he was so happy I was doing this, as the wines we served let the Spa down.

I told him I’d emailed from my private email account to his Company. He checked his email and told me he deals with all these wine companies regularly.

If I could pay cash in order, as many companies were waiting 2 months or more to get their money.

He then suggested he would approach the companies. Tell them he had a new wine company as a customer who’d pay the invoice on order for a fifteen per cent discount.

I told him that was a great idea, but I’d need to get my lawyer to set up a company, and I needed time.

He told me I didn’t need a lawyer. I could register online with a 6-hour turnaround time, with the Company name registered and a tax number issued, and I’d be in business.

He told me he’d send the emails to all the companies tonight, asking for prices. He was sure he’d have the prices first thing tomorrow morning.

I was so grateful that I told him I’d need to get a warehouse to store the wine.

He laughed and said, “I can give you secure storage until you get your warehouse. I’ll phone you tomorrow morning.

I went online ten minutes later. I had registered ‘The Fine Wine Company’, I had a tax number, and I gave the hotel’s address as the Company’s office address.

I then phoned the bank manager to arrange the banking for the new Company. It amazed me. It had been so easy to set up.

I then called Judy to tell her what was happening. It wouldn’t be until tomorrow morning that I’d know whether her help with the order was needed.

Gary would offer the best prices. I also wanted to tell her I’d pay her for all the wines she’d brought for us this morning.

It took me a couple of minutes to tell her all this when I’d finished.

She said, “Barry, that sounds wonderful. If you’re buying a container load, you’ll get an amazing price. We can talk about the wine later. I have a neighbour with me at the moment. I’ll get back to you soon.”

I’d done my bit with Judy. I was sure I’d hear from her soon. There was an email from Fay.

I was excited as I opened it to find out if this very glamorous gran was going to open up about her private life to me?

I was indebted to her for giving me Gary’s contact details, as my knowing him was an incredible coincidence.

“Dear Barry, I hope the information was helpful, for I can recommend the haulage company, you won’t find a better company.

“I look forward to hearing how you got on. I’m sorry for not giving you all the information in a more structured way, but since our meeting today, all I’ve been thinking about is you.”

“As I thought about how I’d compose this email to you, I thought, ‘This is not right.’

“I’m a grandmother of two, you’re young enough to be my son, and all afternoon I’ve been having these thoughts.

“To be honest, I’m writing to you because I want to. I’m a fifty-year-old widow. I have two grandchildren now at school.

“I’ve been widowed for six years. In the last seven years of my marriage, I had no sex.

“I was thirty-seven the last time I had a cock inside me. I say cock on purpose.

“I will be honest with you, I’m bisexual. In the last thirteen years, I’ve had a couple of girlfriends.”

“I hope this doesn’t put you off. I can’t give you a child. I can give you pleasure. I’m open-minded.

“There are many things with a man I haven’t done, but I want to try. It is difficult to find the right words.

“I’ll keep going so you get to know me. I want to tell you that every orgasm I had with my husband, I faked.

“I don’t think I’ll be faking any orgasms with you.”

“I was a twenty-year-old student in my final year of teacher training.

“My husband was the youngest Director of Education in the region. He was thirty-six.

“He visited the college I was training in, and he was attracted to me or my tits, which was my greatest asset as far as men and women were concerned.

“He asked for my number. This surprised me. He was a handsome, single man. I later found out he was a womaniser.