Welcome to 'Sarah's Price' the new online thriller romance novel
by R Hopcott


CHAPTER 5 (Convention and Avignon)

Accordingly, later that week, and following another telephone call from Tim, Sarah found herself entering a modern hotel just off the Great Western road, at Richmond upon Thames. The sign above the door was entitled 'Anglo-French Business Forum'. The hotel coffee lounge that Sarah walked into was all leather and smoky haze. Business people suffering from various degrees of red eye and dishevelment were scattered around the room talking intensely.

Tim Cruikshank was lounging by the imitation fireplace, his back deep into the recesses of his arm chair, legs crossed and propped on a coffee table. In contrast to the tired and stressed atmosphere elsewhere, he looked relaxed and confident.

"Sarah," he said taking her by the arm to present her to the group.

He noted her smart dark business skirt and jacket with a nod of approval. She was dressed flatteringly in a way that emphasised the corporate image rather than her femininity.

"Please let me introduce Francois Deval. He is the genius behind Anglo-Franco-Swiss Banking Consortium whose activities are somewhat less public than their stock market price which has a habit of doubling year on year," he explained. .

The man seated on his right was tall and gangly with strong eyebrows and a Gaelic nose and made no attempt to contradict his introduction. He looked at Sarah politely and turned his attention back to Tim.

"Lon Tan buys and sells, mainly companies, but anything really. Watch the shirt on your back when you are near him. He's not particular whether he owns what he sells", everyone chuckled.

The recipient of Tim's description beamed contentedly at her. A token formal bow paid deference to his Japanese origins. His straight backed position on the edge of his chair gave the impression of a highly strung oriental bow looking for a target.

"Sarah has a legal background from the University College of London but these days specialises in keeping a note of what I and everybody else agrees at official meetings" said Tim.

"It means she is the one who has to drink the mineral water." Polite chuckles all round.

"With the number of companies Tim delves into, you must be kept busy", smiled Lon. When he had briefed her, Tim Cruikshank had explained that his official work was finder of corporate take over opportunities.

A petite, dark haired lady in a chic French pastel blue sleeveless dress who had been circulating the room joined the group. She was introduced as Michelle Tiot, proprietor of a retail fashion chain in southern France. She daintily shook Sarah's hand and seated herself revealingly on the arm of Francois Deval's chair. She seemed indifferent to the sensation she created amongst the surrounding men.

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