This is my first ever story, so really keen to see what others think about it and get feedback. There is a reasonable lead in to the action but I hope it sets the scene for the characters. This actually happened and whilst it's hard to get every single detail exactly right, I still remember this vividly. I hope you enjoy the story.
The booking to run a 3-day training workshop at Couran Cove was fairly routine for me. What made it special was the location. Lovely resort on an island off the coast of Northern Nsw in Australia. I'd never been but had heard it was stunning. An eco resort, with luxury cabins, overlooking lagoons. Miles of deserted sandy beaches. Beautiful, reclaimed bush with abundant wildlife. And I'm getting paid decent money to be there, all expenses paid, to help build or refresh a team of salespeople's skills and get them ready for the upcoming year.
I'd been running my own training business for 15 years. I'd had a very average career in my 20's and at age 28 decided to leave London and travel the world, with the end destination being Australia. My intention was never to stay permanently but Sydney turned out to be such a fantastic place to live that I stayed. It helped that I met a fantastic woman, who I ended up marrying.
Alex was gorgeous. Blond, slim, gorgeous face, beautiful D cup breasts and a shapely ass. She had a passion for life, was fun, funny, with a kind heart. We'd both had numerous relationships before meeting, something that I think is important to do before you commit to marriage. I'd had a great time in the first 6 months of arriving in Australia. I lived by the beach in a shared apartment, had met quite a few people and had a busy social life. I was 28, slim and decent looking if I do say so myself. I used to get people come up and ask me if I was Sting, which I took as a compliment and it was true, in a lot of photos, the resemblance was uncanny. To be fair, Sting does have a better physique! But I guess he had more time to work out. That's my story anyway.
Fast forward 15 years to Couran Cove. I'd never strayed and wasn't planning on it but there was a restlessness I hadn't realised. Alex and I still had sex regularly but it had got routine and that was as much down to my laziness as anything else.
The journey to the resort is pretty good. A ferry across calm waters in the late afternoon light. The check-in efficient and the cabin is stunning. I've arranged to meet the senior manager and her team at the bar for drinks in an hour, which gives me time to have a swim in the pool. It felt good to plunge into the water and wash away the sweat of the trip and do a few laps. Then I went back to the cabin for a shower and got myself ready to meet the group.
Being a facilitator is a role I love. A cross between teacher, therapist, personal trainer at a gym, comedian and coach. Done well, it's inspiring, challenging, thought provoking. It can be intimate in that people share, are vulnerable and open and that's the art in the work: creating the safe space for people to learn and grow.
Of course, all types attend the workshops. These are workshops that for most are mandatory. They have to attend. Very different if you sign up for a training course and are paying for yourself. So, the range goes from holidaymakers - brilliant, 3 days off work - to hostages - I resent being here. In between are those that want to learn and happily that is the majority.
I've always preferred mixed groups: age, gender, ethnicity. It just seems to make for better discussion and insights.... if I'm doing my job well. In the industry sectors I tended to work with the gender split was usually 70/30 in favour of females. Suited me. I've always loved female company and generally they liked me. Too many men talk too much about themselves. Being genuinely curious turns out to be a very attractive trait.
I'd always had a policy, despite many, many opportunities, to not sleep with participants. I always felt that would be commercial suicide if it ever got out. Look, discreetly, but don't touch.
At the bar
I saw Yvonne, the senior manager, standing near the windows, with a group of people around her. I'd only met her twice during the sales process. She was about 50, had been around in the industry a while, short, slightly overweight and no nonsense but with a sharp sense of humour.
We said hello and she introduced me to the group, a mix of men and women in their 20's and 30's. A couple of the women were very attractive. Becky, bubbly personality, short dark hair, brown eyes and perky breasts. Very nice. Janet, blond, about 5ft.6inches, slim and well-toned, gorgeous breasts (I guessed) under a jumper and beautiful ass, held in by skintight jeans. Janet had a cheeky smile and there was an immediate sense between the two of us that we liked each other. Hopefully just between the two of us but I knew I'd have to be careful not to get into flirting. It just distracts everyone, including me. I'm here to do a job of work.
So, while Janet and I had that moment, I focused on the others and we chatted about our trip to the resort, our cabins and the surroundings we were in. All agreed we were in for a great 3 days. They joshed me that the workshop had better be good, or they would go to the beach for the second day.
Day 1 of the workshop did go well. They were a fun group. I was on form and they were willing to learn. It always helps that I'm not working from a textbook. I had spent all my career in sales and salespeople sniff a fake. Credibility is vital, coupled with practical ideas that they can use and you're 75% of the way there. Add in the element of humour, which happens naturally if you let in during the day and we all leave the room in a good mood, bonded from the shared experience and ready to kick back over dinner.
