Stay safe.....
Linda's words hung in Howard's thoughts as he pulled in outside of his hotel. A diverted flight left him with no option but to stay over for the night and complete his journey home tomorrow. His chosen hotel looked fairly plush, but it also looked very busy. Something confirmed as the concierge led him into a noisy lobby.
"Is there some sort of party on?"
"Oh yes sir. It's a gathering of writers I believe. But all 'in house' functions are open to hotel guests, so please use the bar as normal." A gathering of writers, it sounded an interesting fly on the wall opportunity for an amateur author like himself. Having a very odd mind, Howard considered what the collective noun for such a group would be. Would all of the men be wearing cravats? His normal bar or gym decision was easy tonight, it was past nine pm. And the bar sounded fun.
Throwing his attaché case into the room, he started the shower, then unpacked his overnight bag and laid out a casual shirt and trousers on the bed. The water felt good, and soon washed away the tiredness of his day. He was surprised how aroused he was. Linda's emails had really turned him on, and he'd stayed that way. They'd come out of the blue, after she had read one of his stories on the net, and were quite explicit. It wouldn't have taken much effort with his right hand to rid himself of his frustration, but he was enjoying it. Her comments had increased the flow of his creative juices, as well as other, more physiological fluids.
The bar was typical of a hotel, with a small dance floor and a stage. Gentle music came from invisible speakers and a group of thirty or so people chatted in the corner.
"Can I get you something Sir?"
"Oh yes please, a Jack Daniel’s with ice." The small whisky arrived, and was gone almost immediately.
"Sir."
"Yes please," Howard replied. He was clearly tenser than he thought.
Howard looked around the group of writers to see if there was anyone famous. There wasn't. So after a little while he looked at other couples and individuals to see if anyone needed a conversation partner. A couple came into the bar, and a rock immediately hit Howard in the stomach. It couldn't be, could it? The reaction in his groin strongly suggested that last thought to be wrong. The last time that he'd seen her was in a picture in her email. She'd been standing topless for the camera to give him an intimate view of her. Now she was dressed in a knockout black dress. And it was her. The dress was low cut front and back, and had a deep split in its side. She looked stunning.
He suddenly realised that he was staring at her, so he quickly turned back to the bar. A little too quickly apparently, he saw her reflection in the mirrored bar, both her and her male companion were looking at him. Howard's mind was racing, what should he do? He was sure that it was Linda, from her picture, but she would have no way of recognising him. And would she welcome him anyway? Quickly he wrote two words on a cocktail napkin, and called over the barman.
"Yes sir."
"I'd like you to deliver the lady's drink with this napkin. Make sure that she sees this note." Howard handed over the note and a ten-pound note.
"That's very kind sir, am I to indicate who it was from?"
"No no, not yet."
"As you wish sir" The barman went to the couple and took their order. Howard watched impatiently as he returned to the bar, and dispensed vodka and coke, and a glass of beer. He nodded as he passed Howard to deliver his message. Howard nodded back, and took a sip of his whisky to settle his nerves. He watched through the mirror, as the barman carefully laid out the couples drinks, the man's first, followed by Linda's. He then handed them their napkins. She thanked him, and put the napkin down on the table. The man paid the barman and tipped him, the barman then, a little theatrically, took Linda's napkin and unfolded it for her. She didn't see the message at first, but after a few seconds her eyes locked onto his words... Her words.
Stay safe.....
She realised instantly who she had used those words with in the last day or two. She looked towards the bar and noticed the man sat there looking at her via her reflection in the mirror. She didn't react instantly, she didn't want to make Tony aware of the message she had just been passed. She wanted to think about her next move before making it.
Linda was enjoying her drink and was chatting with Tony when somebody came up to him and started talking to him. Linda realised that this was an opportunity and excused herself and stood and walked towards Howard, he turned slightly on his stool as she walked past, she looked him in the eyes and winked at him as she went past towards the ladies. He heard her say 'Explorer69', he now at least knew that she had connected the words on the napkin to him.
He decided to remain seated and continued to his enjoy his drink and wondered what would happen next. He noticed that Linda's companion was still talking to the other man.