Page 35 of Shar: A Woman Alone

“Don’t go getting all mushy on me now. I was never intendingto become one of the fixtures at the clubhouse.”

“Let’s go report to Sharp. You can talk about Stella, andI’ll do the good stuff and tell him the apartment is exactly how he wanted it.”Grinning as she punches my shoulder, I feign pain, and she sticks her tongueout at me. Just like a little sister would!

CHAPTER 17

Shar

Laughing with Lira in the kitchen, I’m surprised when Crackasks me to follow him to Sharp's office. Giving Lira a shoulder shrug andcrossing my eyes at her behind Crack’s back has her giggling and shaking herhead at my playfulness.

Walking into the office behind Crack, I give Sharp a smile,which he returns from where he’s sitting behind his desk. I take a seat andwait for whatever he wants to talk to me about.

“Crack said you discussed the woman, Stella, regarding theposition as manager at Dance Mecca. Is that right?” Sharp asks.

“Yes. She needs a job that has some grit to it. Somethingshe can get involved with and make something of. I know she has some issuesgoing on,” holding my hand up to say, stop, “I don’t know what those issuesare, but I think if we are going to speak to her about being manager thenshe’ll have to give us all the information we’ll need to make the finaldecision.”

Nodding in understanding, Sharp leans forward and clasps hishands together while resting his elbows on the desk. “Okay, I can’t go over tothe club today, but we’ll go over tomorrow and we’ll speak to her in theoffice. If she’s not suitable, then she’ll not get the job, Shar, simple asthat. No matter your recommendation, if I don’t feel she can cut it, thenthat’s the end of it.”

“I agree. Both of us know that what I’m suggesting here forany of the businesses is just that, suggestions. I’ll not be here much longerand you all need to be happy with any changes that are made. My business degreegives me the insight to evaluate a business and, to be honest, see if it’s evenworth saving, buying or anything else. I have a feeling Stella is going to be asuperb manager for Dance Mecca, or anywhere else she ends up. I otherwise wouldnot have even suggested her. She has a great attitude, is likable, and sheorganizes without thought. If you watch her work with the women, she controlsthe situation and gets what is needed with the minimum of fuss. I will beinterested in your thoughts once you meet her.” That is me finished and to letthem know that, I lean back in my seat and cross my legs.

Crack stands from where he’d taken a seat. “Okay, so we’llall go over tomorrow and see Stella. Shar, what do you think of the businessesyou have seen so far?”

I’m not unaware he has changed the subject quickly, but notsure why at this point in time. “I’ve still to see the diner and tattoo shop,but the garage, from what I’m hearing anyway, is nearly ready to open forbusiness and they have bookings for services and other work already.”

“Yeah, it is going to be a nice earner I’m thinking,” Sharpsits back, rubbing his hands together with a grin on his face. “We’ve neededthat garage for a long time, and getting us that, Shar, was a stroke of fortunefor us, and we are more than thankful to you.”

“It was just sheer dumb luck that it worked out. The oldshit saw dollar signs, and I played on that. But you’ll make something of thatplace and it’ll be solid work for the brothers. Snore told me he’s finishinghis training to be a mechanic. Do you think you’ll make him a brother, becausehe’s a good young man? In fact, from what I’ve seen, they all are, and it wasmore than fortunate that they all came to you.” I give a soft smile to myselfbecause I have a soft spot for Snore, and I hope he’ll always be happy here.

“They have a full book of jobs for the first month, andstarting on the next. They’ll be open for business next week. Cord said comehell or high water, he’s starting on the work available on Monday,” Crackgrins, obviously amused at something that he’s remembering.

“Dance Mecca, I think, will be more lucrative once you havea manager living on the property, and where the brothers can rest after theirshift. Honestly, it has to be tiring traveling back here after they’ve done along stint on the door. But, apart from this, a manager with vision can bringnew ideas, clean the place up and run it efficiently. If the manager workswell, reporting back to Bank, Pen and Zip when it’s needed, I reckon they’ll beworth their pay,” I look at Sharp, and wait for his response.

“I agree. The place needs someone that is going to see it asthe investment it is. Bring it to the attention of new customers, and at thesame time bring in extra income.” Tapping his fingers on the desk, Sharp looksat Crack, then back to me, “Okay, we need you to check out the diner and tattooshop. Once you have done that we’ll have another meeting.”

“Okay,” I respond, and jump to my feet. I’ve got a fewchores I need to do before seeing the diner and the tattoo shop. “I’ll catchyou both later. I’ve a few things to get done. Do you want to visit the tattooand diner with me, Crack?”

“Yeah, but it won’t be today or tomorrow. So jot it down forthe day after. It’ll probably take us all day.” Crack stands and holds the dooropen for me, and I impulsively reach up and kiss his cheek, give him a wink andwalk away smiling to myself.

I walk through to the kitchen where I’m hankering for one ofLira’s toasted cheese things, with meat and pickles. Yum, I’m going to missthem, and her, when I leave. My mind is miles away, and I’m not paying anyattention to who is around when suddenly someone slaps me across the back and Igo flying forwards, stopping myself at the last minute from falling.

Turning, I see Trip is standing, looking shocked andembarrassed. “Oh, fuck, Shar, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to do that so hard. Itwas supposed to be a congratulatory thing. We got the salon for Zara, and I wastrying to give you a back slap to say, hey we did it.”

Bursting out laughing, because this is funny, this largeman, who is the VP and tough, is falling over himself to apologize. “Trip, itdoesn’t matter. I’m not hurt. It is fantastic news on the salon.” Steppingtowards him I link arms with him and whisper, “Now tell me, did you have to getinto it with Thomas?”

“Aw, fuck, Shar, not you as well.” Trip disengages my armand storms off, mumbling about everyone being assholes, even the women.

Four hours later, I’m sitting in Zara’s room with her andGunner. Now, this is something I never thought I’d see happen, but he’s tryingso hard to be the father Zara needs while turning himself around that I have toacknowledge those efforts.

Pouring a glass of fizzy wine, Gunner hands one to Zara andone to me, while holding up a bottle of beer for himself. Well, I suppose Ican’t expect him to get everything right. “We did it, we got the salon and Zarahere got herself a business.” Gunner clinks his bottle with Zara’s glass andthen my own before taking a long slug.

I sip mine because if I’m honest I don’t like fizzy wine,but I’ll drink it and celebrate none the less. “I’m so happy this is comingtogether. But next thing is getting a boss for the place, and making sure she’sthe right person because she’ll be answerable, and need to stand down once youare ready.”

I look at Zara as she gives me a small nod. “Will you do theinterviews with me, please?”

“Of course I will,” I don’t hesitate to respond. “We’ll findsomeone that you can work with and then replace. You never know, you may findsomeone who is a great mentor, boss and friend.”

“You need to always remember that even though they willmentor you, you are the boss.” Gunner gives Zara a squeeze on the shoulder inencouragement. “You’ll always have me or a brother to step in if you needsupport for any reason.”

The sound ofSister Sisterby Silk Sisters Rock playsfrom my phone, alerting me to the fact Mia is contacting me. Quickly getting tomy feet, I take the call. “Hi there. How are you? What’s wrong?”

---