Skinny Dipping Read Online Free PDF

brought a hand to her chest, sighing visibly. “It feels awful doesn’t it? All the effort, getting dressed up and everything.” She swallowed, Acting 101, she was onto it. “Especially when everyone keeps looking at the empty seat next you – it’s rather embarrassing. Especially when he keeps cancelling, and my boss is blaming me for not delivering. I’m feeling kind of desperate to talk to Matthew. Otherwise, I’m afraid I might lose my job. They think I’m not being persistent enough.”
    Eve chuckled. “That’s definitely not true is it? There must be some mistake, Matthew’s not like that. At least he didn’t used to be.”
    Sophie nodded her head. “He stood me up. As you well know, we were supposed to meet at the gala last night, and he didn’t even bother to let me know he wasn’t coming. I left several messages on his cell.”
    “It seems very strange,” Eve said, biting her lip. “I saw him leave in a tuxedo, and get into his car.” Eve was a loyal personal assistant.
    “Eve, I’m finding the working relationship with Matthew really difficult. I thought I would come here, and see if we can work something out, so we can just get the job done.”
    “He’s been really fragile lately.”
    “That doesn’t mean he had to be rude.”
    “He almost fell off the rails. That’s why he had an eighteen-month sabbatical.”
    “Oh?” Sophie said, leaning over the bench. Drugs? Alcohol? “Is he okay now?”
    Eve shrugged. “He’s better, he’s getting it together. What do you want to do? Wait?”
    Sophie looked around the reception. “I guess I don’t have many choices. I’ll wait, but only until eight-thirty.”
    “I’m terribly sorry. Do you know anything about the pool chain?”
    “I know a bit.”
    “Well, I’m not just Matthew’s personal assistant, but I’m also the resident coach at the pool and am absolutely happy to help you in any way I can.”
    “Hmmm…” Eve was very helpful. “Matthew is the one who wanted to be more involved. Maybe you could talk to him about getting more involved, relieve him a bit.”
    The girl clasped her hands together. “Do you like swimming? I can give you a pool tour.”
    Sophie looked at the girl, she was really trying. “Eve, I’m not really good with water.” She faced Eve. “I’d love to hear more about the coaching here, though. It might help with the campaign.”
    “I mostly coach. Matthew, well, he doesn’t teach anymore. As you probably know, Matthew used to be a serious racer until ….” Eve’s voice trailed off and she looked down at the desk, shifting papers.
    Sophie furrowed her brow. “No, I didn’t know he raced, do you think he would like a campaign with a sporty angle?”
    Eve waved her hand. “Don’t worry about it, he doesn’t publicise it anymore. Matthew and I used to be in the same swimming squad, although he’s years older than me. He’d do anything to be in the water, but things have changed quite drastically. After the accident, he was lucky to even walk through those doors.” She pointed to the turnstiles which led presumably to the pool.
    “Accident?”
    Eve leaned over the reception desk. “I guess now you’ve heard, with him being away so long after the accident, his hotel chain is now in serious trouble. Now he’s always in Brighton.”
    “Oh, is that why he doesn’t swim as much?”
    “He’s busy with the hotel chain but not getting in the water is probably more to do with Rebecca.”
    “Rebecca?” Sophie said, hoping Eve would elaborate, this gossip was getting juicy.
    “Come and look at this. These are all Matthew’s. He was pretty good, really good. In fact, the whispers around the place were that he was Olympic standard.”
    Eve skirted the reception desk, beckoning Sophie to a large glass cabinet filled with trophies and ribbons.
    “You know Sophie, I could help you, if you’ve got a fear.”
    Sophie shot the girl a glance, how did she know? She was very perceptive. “Ahh…nope.