Will There Be Any Fellow Feeling ?

Debbi desperately scanned the room as she followed Sonia over to the bar. She saw the guy Kemal at a corner table, centre of attention to a small crowd. There was nobody else there that she recognized but that was a small mercy; Sonia and Kemal were more than enough to make the situation untenable. She had to try and gather her thoughts. "Take a pew" Sonia offered as they reached the bar. "Guys, this is Debbi. She's going to be Kemal's new boss" she introduced her to a couple of fellow managers at the bar. Debbi clambered up onto a bar stool and the tight mini skirt immediately travelled up her legs towards her crotch. Crossing her legs only succeeded in revealing her stocking tops and a stretch of white thigh. "Didn't have you down as a stockings girl Debbi." Sonia smirked at Debbi's discomfort as the latter tugged ineffectually at the hem of her skirt. Sonia took out her mobile. "Just need to call someone, we've got a bit of a situation" she explained.

Debbi hoped that her face did not betray her as she listened to Sonia's one way conversation on the phone. "Your girl still hasn't turned up....I couldn't care less if she's a stand in or not, we paid good money for a show....How does it help me if you sack the regular girl ?....Yeah, OK, you phone her but I expect results.... Sorry about that" Sonia said to Debbi , just as Debbi's mobile phone rang. She took it out and looked at the number before declining to take the call. She had been horrified by the implied threat to terminate Kaitlynne's contract. Apart from anything else, that would render all that she had already done this week pointless. She decided to throw herself on Sonia's mercy. Surely as a serious business woman she would have some fellow feeling for her counterpart ? After all, Kemal was not expecting a surprise stripper and would not register the failure of one to appear. And Debbi could offer to recompense the fee for the booking.

Lowering her voice, Debbi leaned in and quickly explained the circumstances and that she was doing a good turn for a friend and how it would be so embarrassing for her to have to perform here and now under these circumstances. But instead of being sympathetic and understanding as Debbi had hoped, an ominous smile spread slowly over Sonia's face. "I must admit, I did wonder about the slutty outfit" was all that she said once Debbi had finished talking. Instead, she took out her phone again.

"Yeah, she's here now but she says she's not going to dance....Some story about there being someone in the pub that knows her...We booked with your agency in good faith expecting a professional service....Yeah, I'll hold the line." Sonia looked at Debbi with a big grin as Debbi's phone rang once more. This time she picked up and Sonia was able to hear both ends of the conversation. "Yes, I know I agreed to help Kaitlynne but I know some of these people....I know that's not your problem...I can pay back the booking fee....Trust Pilot ?....Yes, I do know the damage a negative review can do....But you can't sack Kaitlynne, that's not fair, she has a sick baby and a Jack Russell....Sod it then, OK." Debbi ended the call.

"Oh, so she will now then will she ? Thank you." Sonia also ended her call. "Oh dear Debbi" she grinned. "Looks like you're going to have to get your kit off !"