"So, Did You Give It Any More Thought ?"

"She got us back online then I see ?" said Charlie, accosting the two young network engineers in their break room. "Yeah, she was right as always but she doesn't have to be so bloody superior about it" one of the lads complained. "She was only trying to make sure there wouldn't be the same problem at the next update" his mate tried to placate him. "And she got us live before the start of the working day, that's the main thing" added Charlie, who had been under pressure in his management role. "But she doesn't need to act like a school teacher lecturing a bunch of kids" the first engineer continued to sulk. "Prissy cow !" Injured masculine pride took a lot of getting over. "Cheer up" said his more sanguine colleague. "At least we've got the shrine ! " He opened one of the cupboard doors where, out of general public view, was a collage of photos of Debbi, smartly dressed in her official company profile pic and then naked on stage at Pussy Paradise in those photos that guy had managed to sneak while the bouncers were distracted ! "That reminds me" said Charlie, who had the same collage squirrelled away on his laptop. "Don't forget next week's Christmas lads do at Pussy Paradise." "Reckon she could be dancing again ?" wondered one of the engineers hopefully. "Nah, it seems that story about her filling in for a friend that the manager told me was for real. I've been a few times since and no sign. But it's always a good night" Charlie affirmed.

++++++

"You look tired" said Kaitlynne as she opened the door to Debbi. "Early start this morning" Debbi explained as she responded to the enthusiastic greeting of Kaitlynne's Jack Russell. "Some idiots at one of our customers messed up the overnight software update we'd sent them and I was paged to go and sort it out before the start of the day." "Where was that ?" "Only Reading so not far but then a full day at work afterwards." "Sounds like you need to unwind, I've got a bottle of wine ?" "But I'm driving" Debbi pointed out, though she was tempted. "There's always a cab, or you can spend the night here" Kaitlynne suggested.

Kaitlynne had made a simple side salad to go with their pizza and Debbi was feeling suitably mellow after a couple of glasses of wine. "You can't have any pizza, it's not good for doggies" she said to the Jack Russell who was ardently begging for a scrap. "He's not hungry, look at his tummy" laughed Kaitlynne. "So, have you given it any more thought ?" she continued. "What ? Pussy Paradise ?" "Yeah" "Like I said, I've retired" Debbi responded. "I know but we really are ****" Kaitlynne persisted. "Why aren't you working tonight ?" Debbi suddenly wondered. "I do Thursdays there normally as you know and this week was kind of a normal week but next week and the week after are mad with extra bookings and Declan's asked me to do more days and to try and persuade you !" "So whose working tonight ? It can't just be Ana ?" "Declan gets agency girls but it pains him. He says they are a bit rough and he likes to think of the double P as a classy establishment and he says you embody class !"

Debbi snorted with laughter. "What ? Even after seeing me dance ?" "You said you were getting better and you were never as bad as you made out" argued Kaitlynne. "I have been practicing at home" Debbi admitted. "Well, there you go then" said Kaitlynne triumphantly. "You must have been thinking about it ?" "But only as a fitness workout" Debbi backtracked. "But you'll be paid this time, you won't have to give me the money. Not that you had to last time but I was very grateful. And you get to keep all the tips !" Debbi's executive salary was more than adequate but a little extra cash always came in handy, she had to admit. Especially at Christmas. "Look, let's try out a routine ? I'll get Alexa to play some music" suggested Kaitlynne. "How many nights ?" asked Debbi. "Four. Friday and Saturday the next two weeks." Kaitlynne jumped up and kissed Debbi on the cheek. "Oh, thanks so much. Declan will be delighted !"

"I didn't say for certain" Debbi protested but Kaitlynne knew the dye was cast !