Taking Stock !

Author's Note : Second anniversary of the story. I hope it still has enough legs to last a bit longer !

Carol had convinced herself that really, when you thought about it, she'd had very little to do with the various misfortunes that had overtaken Debbi in the last year or so. It had begun with the jet skiing and that was all Debbi's own fault for trying to get out of it and not being prepared. OK, so it had been Carol who had suggested she could do it in her bra and pants but that had just been a bit of fun.

OK, so it had also been Carol who had organised the hypnotist and encouraged him to do a risque show but how could she have been expected to know that Debbi would be so susceptible to hypnotic suggestion ? And OK, so it was her who had persuaded Debbi that it was a healthy option to fly commando to Cyprus but how could she have foreseen that the silly cow would contrive to get herself strip searched, more or less in public ? Besides, Debbi seemed to enjoy that mini break.

Bikini car wash ? Well, lots of people did such things for charity and Debbi certainly had the figure for it. OK, so it was Carol who had caused it to escalate into a topless car wash but that was all in the excitement of the moment and for a good cause ! And OK, it had to be admitted that it was Carol who was responsible for the Christmas elf and the New Year baby but these had done wonders for team morale and also boosted Debbi's popularity. She had done her a favour really !

No, none of it was really anything to do with Carol at all, she decided. All the real trouble had stemmed from that Angela and her protege Diane. At least, that was what Carol convinced herself.

Debbi had also been taking stock of the various scrapes she had been involved with. She felt incredibly guilty whenever the slightest germ of an idea crept into her mind that suggested her assistant might not always have had her best interests at heart. Because she knew that Carol had always been loyal. But Debbi was only too aware of the hostility of Diane and the feeling was mutual. Was hate too strong a word ? It was for the kind hearted Debbi but nevertheless, she had to admit to herself that she really didn't like Diane very much at all !

Oh well, she had just had a successful mission to Korea where nothing bad had occurred, or so she thought ! And she had a new hunky boyfriend who would ensure that nothing untoward happened at this upcoming safety demonstration that Diane had foisted on her.