A Famous Affair

A Famous Affair chapter 9

The promo trade fair was a success and I had some interesting chats with other companies. One of which was with Anna Blake, the lady whose husband ran off with a nineteen-year-old. Anna looked fabulous when I saw her. She sported a new, layered, short and sassy hairstyle. Her weight was down by half a stone and apparently she has a new man in her life, who is loaded. Her new man is so loaded, in fact, she's now winding down the business over the next six months. She told me that she would be happy to give me the contact details of some of her suppliers from overseas. I am so happy for her. Last year when both Lydia and I saw her, she was lost and distraught, barely keeping her head above water. It fills me with gladness that she's so happy. When her husband's infidelity came to light, her whole world crumbled around her. Yet, here she is like a brand new person. It got me thinking. Can there ever be anything good that comes out of an affair? For Anna Blake there certainly was.

***

Sitting in the taxi, the nerves begin to take hold of me. Excitement, anxiousness and fear are all rolled into one big ball of emotion playing basketball in the pit of my stomach. I take out my little bag to find my comb, so I can preen my light brown hair so it falls flatteringly onto my shoulders. I then pinch my defined cheekbones to give them a natural, flushed look. I finish off by applying my lip-gloss, in neutral nude, to subtly enhance the dusky pink, long sleeved shirt that I'm wearing alongside my black pencil skirt. To complete my look I'm wearing a black pair of Mary Janes. Not exactly the ideal first fuck clothes, but I'm working. I needed to look professional in my attire at the promo fair . . . not like a cheating wife.

When the taxi pulls up outside The Westbury, although it's not as grand as The Broadway, I feel more at ease here for some reason. It is obviously smaller, but I love its Art Deco feel. The foyer is stunning; geometric shapes everywhere on the floor, ceilings and walls. Rich colours of brown, orange and yellow illuminate the space with wonderful and clever use of lighting.

I approach the reception desk with confidence and a ridiculously big smile. I'm elated to be seeing Jonny and I love this hotel. I just know when I walk into a place whether I feel instantly comfortable and at ease there, and I do, here at The Westbury.

"Hi, my name is Erin Laurelson. I have a room booked," another lie comes out of my mouth. The young man dressed in his silver grey suit, looks smart, a bit geeky, but very well dressed.

"Yes, Miss Laurelson. You have the Clifton suite; I'll get your key card, I won't be a moment." The straightly professional geekceptionist disappears for a few moments and returns with it. "Have you visited us before, Miss Laurelson?"

"No, I haven't." I calmly answer.

"The Clifton Suite is on the top floor and is opposite The Redland Suite. The lift is at the end of the foyer, just in front of you." Mr. Geeky smiles awkwardly as he points to the lift.

"Thank you so much." I'm just about to lift my bags when this young man is soon swiftly beside me.

"The porter will take your bags, Miss Laurelson." Geekceptionist tells me.

"Oh . . . okay . . . thank you." I tentatively hand my briefcase and overnight bag to the porter who is waiting to relieve me of my bags. I am slightly taken aback by the five star treatment, yet quietly enjoying it.

The more I see of the hotel, the more I love it. I love the shapes and the vibrancy of the bold patterns on the furnishings and wallpaper. I can't wait to see my room. Once we reach the top floor, I glance across at the door opposite my room. The Redland Suite . . . where my life is about to completely change course.