Hi Amber, it's nice to meet you. You've started on just the right day. This evening we're going to a party.
Oh, perhaps I should have worn a dress, Amber said.
Don't worry, we'll get you kitted out this afternoon. I thought we could spend the morning chatting about what we do here, and perhaps nip out for a coffee and get to know each other.
Sound's great. You know, I think I'm really going to enjoy myself here. Everyone has made me feel so welcome.
Amber learned that Joe's company had a contract to do all the PR work for Rushmore United. Josephine was the key account manager, and Amber was to be her assistant. Over coffee in a small cafe, in a side street just off Piccadilly Circus, Josephine explained about the function they were going to attend that evening.
It's the fiftieth anniversary of Rushmore winning their first European Cup, and tonight there will be a reception and a dinner for ex-players, current players, management, and some carefully selected members of the press.
Sounds interesting, but I don't know anything about soccer, sorry football.
You don't have to. It's your first day, just shadow me. Be careful, though, there are some super hot players on their team, Josephine said with a grin. One, in particular, Rod Stevens. I'd jump in front of a train if he told me to.
Amber raised her eyebrows and grinned. She liked Josephine; she was down to earth and honest. In PR, she'd expected some more bitchy type.
The Grosvenor Hotel was used to hosting events of this nature, and everything was in place by the time Josephine and Amber arrived. There were a lot of paparazzi outside waiting to snap photos of players past and present.
Danny, hold on. Danny look this way please, the photographers shouted as Danny got out of the team bus. He squinted, the lights piercing the darkness and lighting up his face in flashes of brilliant white light.
Sods nearly blinded me, Danny said to Rod as they walked into the hotel.
You shouldn't be such a good looking guy then should you? Rod quipped. Ah, here's Josephine, he added a hint of lust in his voice.
Tell you what mate, I bet you a grand you can't get her into bed tonight, Danny said.
Rod flashed Danny a look of disdain. Do you think I'm a complete imbecile? Of course, I'll get her into bed, piece of cake, you might as well give me a grand now.
No. You know the deal. Knickers first, money afterward, okay?
Okay. Knickers at breakfast, Rod said.
The two players each took a glass of orange juice and wandered over to Josephine. Hello Rod, Josephine said a slight hint of a blush coming over her cheeks. This is Amber, she's here to help me out.
Hi Rod, nice to meet you, Amber said.
An American, great, Danny exclaimed.
This is Danny Constance, he plays for England, Josephine said.
It wasn't often men were much taller than Amber, but he was. Her initial impression of him was that he looked like a cheeky boy, lost in the big world. Hi Danny, nice to meet you.
Danny looked into her eyes as he shook her hand, and then down to her breasts which were beautifully encased in the black dress she had bought that afternoon. Amber noticed what he was looking at and strangely quite liked the attention.
Where are you from in the States? Danny asked.
New York. Have you ever been there?
Danny looked down at his patent leather shoes and shook his head. No. I hope to go one day, though. Manhattan looks so unbelievable; we haven't got anything like that here.
Manhattan is just a jungle of concrete. There are many nice things to see in the US. We have beautiful nature.
I've heard of the Grand Canyon, Danny said.
Do you know, I've never been there.
I expect one day when my career comes to and end I'll go to play in the states. I'll take you there. How about a helicopter ride?
Amber laughed at his cheeky proposal. I'd love to.
I thought Americans were supposed to be loud and brash, but you're not. You're.....
What? she asked impatiently.
You're refined, graceful. You're beautiful. Amber's faced turned fiery red. And you blush easily, he added with a grin.
Amber shuffled from one foot to the other. You're a very handsome man, and I'm not used to receiving such heartfelt compliments.
There are plenty more where that came from. I'm a cheeky Londoner; we say what we think, and I think you're as fit as hell.
Fit? she asked.
In England, we say a girl is fit when we mean she's beautiful.
Oh. I thought you were referring to my athletic prowess, Amber said as she looked deep into his eyes. She began to play with her hair and stepped a little closer to him.
I'm sure you're very athletic when you need to be, he said, pushing the conversation the direction he wanted it to go.
Stop or you'll make me blush again.
A bell rang, and people began to leave the reception area and head into the dining room. Bloody bell. I was just beginning to enjoy myself, Danny said. Oh well, I suppose I'd better go.