Without You I Have Nothing (20 page)

_{Still hiding behind
his façade as a poor businessman Peter was quick to retort, “You're mad.”}

_{“No I'm just a 'hard
headed bean counter' who, with Bob, is your best friend. While you're
recovering from that, you're about to finalize the purchase of the motel the
other side of the BMW dealership next door.}

_{“You’ve so much money
lying in the bank from this business that’s doing nothing. Soon the taxman will
be asking questions. You're about to spread your wings and fly.”  Noticing
Peter’s look, he added, “Don’t you trust me?”}

_{“Oh, I trust you, but
all this is a shock. I know that I should stop my complaining.”  Peter knew
Ted’s ideas were sound as he had planted the ideas in Ted’s mind months
previously. Ted had merely voiced what Peter had been considering.}

_{“I suggest you ring
Joe and tell him to shut the shop and tell the workers there is an urgent
meeting for everyone in the lunch room.}

_{“We’ll both meet with
the workers if you wish, so tell him I’ll be at the meeting. Perhaps he can get
the room a bit decent,” they laughed and Peter rang the workshop.}

_{The workers had
innumerable questions, which Ted answered, showing them how much they benefited
from a rise in productivity and explaining how each, even the apprentices,
would benefit according to their seniority.}

_{Peter could only
smile as he and Ted made their way upstairs and left the meeting in charge of
Joe.}

_{As the two friends
made their way up the stairs, they could hear Joe’s words to the workers. “This
is our business now so no lagging off and no returns because the job wasn’t
done well in the first place. We're all partners so we all work hard to make a
huge profit.”}

_{“Ted, I have a renewal
of that truck contract here. I need your advice. It’s with that transport
business based in Bathurst. We have to collect their new prime-movers from the
factory, spray them in company colors and deliver them to Bathurst.”}

_{Silently Ted studied
the papers before sighing. “There’s a lot of work here and it’s spread over a
considerable time. Will you be able to handle it?”}

_{“It’ll mean a lot of
driving to Bathurst but I thought I’d drive up on Friday nights after work when
necessary and fly or train back on the Saturday morning. It’ll be tough for a
while but then it would even itself out.”}

_{The prospect of all
the extra work did not worry Peter.}

_{“You're taking on a
lot.”  Handing the papers back he smacked the table as though he had suddenly
made up his mind. “You're going to have a secretary, someone who knows
book-keeping and will order you about.”}

_{Peter tried to
interrupt but ignoring him Ted continued, “I have the right person in mind. One
of my staff has retired and would love a couple of day’s work a week and
besides this secretary will take no nonsense from Bob.”}

_{Knowing Bob as well
as Ted did, Peter laughed. He could see Bob drooling all over the poor girl,
pawing her legs or her shoulders - whatever he could touch while sneaking looks
down the front of her dresses and blouses.}

_{“Mark will be here
first thing tomorrow.”  Ted’s laughter became a hoot as Peter sank into the
chair in surprise.}

_{“I must tell Bob
you’ve a new secretary tonight. By the time I’ve described her, he’ll be
panting at the door come sunrise.”  Wiping the tears from his eyes, he asked,
“Will we see you Friday?”}

_{“No. The first truck
for the new contract arrives tomorrow and I’ll be rather busy.”  There was no
point in telling Ted of his plans for the weekend.}

_{“Well, for God’s
sake, be careful when you drive those trucks to Bathurst. You’ll have been
working all day. No accidents or I’ll strangle you.”}

_{Laughing he added, “I
don’t relish having that 'cream puff', Bob, all to myself.”}

_{“Cream puff?”}

_{“Don’t tell me you
haven’t seen through his act about women?  He’s as scared of them as you are. He’s
all hot air. If one of them accepted his outrageous suggestions he’d run a
mile,” Ted grinned at Peter’s surprise. “Now take care. There’s more than Bob
and I who have an interest in you.”}

_{Peter believed he was
talking of the workers but there was no need to tell Ted he would be careful.}

_{Mark became the
secretary and Bob arrived as expected, ready to impress and left crestfallen,
mumbling that he would get his own back on Ted.}

_{The workshop ran
perfectly and the place seemed abuzz with a new enthusiasm and attention to
detail.}

_{Eventually, Wednesday
morning arrived - with a clear blue sky and perfect sunshine. Peter arrived
early in the street outside Jennifer’s unit and continually gazed at his watch
willing the time to pass so he could knock on her door.}

_{“Come in, the door’s
open. I wondered how long you’d wait in the car.”  Jennifer’s green eyes
twinkled as she admitted that she’d been watching him.}

_{“You little minx,”
Peter hoisted her into his embrace and chastely kissed her hair before letting
her back down.}

_{Hand-in-hand they
left and Peter tossed her the car keys. “I have this as a test drive so hammer
it as much as you like and we’ll return it to the dealer when we’ve finished
kicking tires.”}

_{Jennifer didn’t demur
but swung behind the steering wheel and laughing drove off into the traffic at
a furious rate.}

_{“Steady on. There are
speed cameras everywhere. Don’t get booked,” were Peter’s wry comments.}

_{Not bothering to
reply, Jennifer played a symphony on the gearlever keeping the engine humming
and using the car’s capabilities well.}

_{Taking no notice of
where she was taking him, Peter just sat there enjoying her perfume and her
close proximity. The spell was broken when she parked the car and turned to stare
at him. “Peter, I don’t think we really need to go kicking tires. Can we return
this to the dealer and help me negotiate a good deal?”}

_{Leaning across to hug
her, Peter kissed her deeply, his tongue sliding through her shocked lips to
battle her sweetness. They parted to gather their breath and he got out of the
car without saying a word. He opened the driver’s door and stood so close to
her it was as if they shared one body. His arms held her and his lips again
claimed her, “Jennifer, Jennifer,” and his lips sank onto her neck as he
quietly whispered, “I love you so.”}

_{Peter drove the car
to the dealer beside his workshop and parked it carefully, battling off the
sales staff until he led Jennifer into the Manager’s Office.}

_{“Hey, Jack, I believe
you're retiring in a few days so today you’ve a chance to make a big impression.
This young lady, Jennifer Blake, is somewhat interested in purchasing one of
your cars but, why, I would never know. I'm sure the Japanese make better cars
than the Germans.”}

_{Peter’s laugh and
Jack’s answer made Jennifer realize they were the best of friends.}

_{“Jennifer?  May I
call you Jennifer?  How did you get involved with a ruffian like this?  My God,
be careful of him. He can be really wicked.”}

_{Jack’s smile told
Jennifer how much he admired Peter.}

_{“Let’s leave him here
while we study the various cars and I can take you for a test drive.”}

_{Taking Jennifer by
the arm, he began to lead her out the door only to find Peter blocking the
doorway.}

_{“What?  Do you think
I'm stupid - allowing you to show Jennifer anything and to take her for a test
drive?  I'm neither senile nor stupid. My mother warned me about new car
salesmen.”}

_{Laughing, the three
of them went out to 'kick tires'.}

_{“Here’s an excellent
little unit.”  Jack started his spiel.}

_{“Jennifer’s a rev
head. You should see how she handled the demo you lent me. Now, Jennifer, what
would you like to see?”  Peter was going to be in control.}

_{“I like the look of
that little green model. I like the color.”}

_{“Wait until I get
some plates and we can take it for a drive,” Jack was about to move off.}

_{“Oh, no, you don’t,
Jack. You're trying to pass off a hard-to-shift model onto my innocent young
friend here. Take us to the specialist showroom and let’s look there.”}

_{Jack shrugged and
asked Jennifer, “How much do you want to spend?”}

_{Before Jennifer could
answer Peter laughed, “As little as possible.”}

_{The three walked into
the rear of the showroom where the absolute top of the line stood - a Mini
Cooper S, leather upholstery, climate control, high fidelity sound - every
option possible and again British racing green.}

_{Peter was quiet while
Jack went though his spiel and showed Jennifer all the bits and pieces. The
bonnet went up and Jennifer showed surprising knowledge of the engine parts. Under
the lights and on the red-carpeted floor it was both immaculate and desirable
and Peter, watching Jennifer carefully, knew she was captivated.}

_{“Peter, I love it,
but sadly I can’t afford it. It’s a dream.”  Her voice tapered off wistfully.}

_{Peter led her out of
the showroom. “How much do you want to spend, sweetheart?”  The word slipped
out and Jennifer gazed at him for some time before finding her voice.}

_{“$30,000 maximum
insured and registered and that is a long way from the price of that car.”}

_{“Oh, you haven’t done
much tire kicking, have you?  Come on, let’s twist Jack’s arm. This’ll be fun. Let
me do the bargaining, please, Jennifer.”}

_{Over coffee, the
bargaining began. It was obvious to Jennifer that Jack wouldn’t drop the price
of the car enough for her to purchase it until Peter demanded he speak to the
Head Office.}

_{“Back soon. Don’t run
away. We don’t want to buy the business but Jack expects us to pay top dollar
for a car they’ve not been able to move,” were Peter’s words as he dragged Jack
off.}

_{Jennifer could see
the two men arguing, then Peter making a phone call before handing the phone to
Jack.}

_{It was obvious Jack
was startled and turned to Peter incredulously. Without speaking, he handed the
phone to Peter who spoke some rapid words into the phone and Jennifer could
tell he was no longer bargaining but ordering someone to do something. He
handed the phone back to Jack who was visibly dazed but he shook Peter’s hand
before the two returned to Jennifer.}

_{“Jennifer, I'm
retiring and I’ve had a long life in car sales. Never has anyone bargained as
hard as Peter and just as well, else the company would go bankrupt. The car is
yours - insured, registered and on the road - all taxes paid for $25,990.”}

_{“Got that wrong,
Jack, $25,000. Forget the pre-delivery charges. We’ll do it free for this young
lady.”}

_{Jennifer hurled
herself into Peter’s arms and kissed him repeatedly until Jack coughed,
commenting, “I wish all my clients over the years had been as grateful. If I
can be bold enough to interrupt, could I have some signatures on the papers and
what special number plates would you like?”}

_{Peter suggested,
“‘JEN 808’ but tell me what you would like.”}

_{Slowly Jennifer
released Peter and sat back in her seat unable to comprehend how quickly the
sale had ended. The question was posed again as Jennifer signed the papers. “Did
Peter suggest that?  Then I would love that number plate. Can I take the car
now?” was her question as she signed the check and completed all the paperwork.}

_{Jack laughed, “No! 
It won’t be ready until the close of business on Friday. You can pick it up
from Peter’s workshop at say 5 Friday afternoon. However please, don’t ever
bring Peter back here kicking tires with you.”}

_{Jennifer was walking
on air and didn’t notice Jack give Peter a hug, saying, “Peter, you're most
generous. Look after that young lady and I hope you invite the wife and me to
your wedding.”}

_{Jennifer who had
wanderer back to 'her' car did not hear Peter’s reply. “That was a little thank
you for helping me in the sale. You’ve been a good manager over the years. Yes,
you both will be there if, and when, I get married.”}

_{When Jennifer, still
starry eyed, returned to the office Jack gave her a hug. “Don’t forget to be at
Peter’s five o'clock Friday else he will probably sell it on you. Look after
this great bear. He’s a good man, a better man than anyone I know.”}

_{They took their leave
and wandered next door into the workshop to meet the staff. Joe was
particularly suave, breaking into Italian and bowing low to kiss Jennifer’s
hand. Suddenly he threw his head back allowing his magnificent tenor voice to
resound off the ceiling of the workshop. ‘Non piu andrai’ by Mozart killed the
hammering of cars being repaired.}