Free Sally’s Return: 2nd Book in this Romance Short Story Series by A. J. Temple Page A

regard to loyalty to the company.
    “Sally I really appreciate you standing in like this, you know I do. Brandon is fitting in just fine – thanks to your training. I just hope he has got what it takes when the pressure is really on!” He had said with concern creasing his brows.
    She was missing Robert terribly, and just couldn’t wait to get back to Aviemore. It would be spring-time in Scotland just now, and the snow would be melting back to make way for the spring bluebells.
    Thanks to modern technology, they were able to keep in touch constantly, however nothing can substitute a warm embrace, or the tender touch of lovers hands before a crackling log fire.
    “ Hey hey, guess who’s daydreaming about her handsome Scottish hero!” Her friend Kiera broke into her thoughts with the force of a sledgehammer against a glass wall.
    “Really Kiera, I almost jumped out of my skin!”
“That’s because you were thinking unwholesome thoughts I would imagine!”
    Sally flushed bright red, which only confirmed what her friend had just said. Kiera laughed out loud.
    “I knew it, oh how I envy you Sally! When do you hope to see him again?”
    “I have a flight booked for the end of this month, and the Apocalypse itself would not keep me from boarding it!” sally replied with conviction.
    “Well, that might be a bit extreme – but I get the idea!”
    They shared a laugh together.
    “However my dear friend, what is all this I hear about you flirting with the office gigolo?”
    “WHAT, I’m not flirting with anyone!”
    “Hmm, say’s you! But the girls are taking bets as to whether Brandon will have you bedded before you get on that plane!”
    “That’s outrageous! Brandon is ten years my junior ; he’s a work-colleague and nothing more!”
    “Well Sally, if that truly is the case; I would try and make it plain to him as he obviously thinks he is in with a chance – if you get my meaning!” She finished this with eyebrows raised theatrically, at a flustered Sally.
    “Oh, I can’t believe I’ve been such a fool Kiera! Maybe I have kind of led him on – just a little Honestly!”
    “I believe you Sally, but a word of warning; he is not used to being rebuffed so I would be gentle if I were you.”
    “Thanks Kiera. He has hinted about going for lunch today – maybe I should just make some excuse?”
    “Hmm, possibly – or you could maybe use it to set the record straight? After all, he knows you are engaged so you have all the excuse in the world to cool down his ardour a little!”
    “That’s a great idea, I’ll do that. What a blessed nuisance, I should have known better than to give him the least encouragement – now I’ve made a right mess of things!”
    “Ha ha, honestly Sally don’t be such a drama-queen! It will do Brandon good to know that he just can’t get every girl he wants – though he could have me any time!” She said this laughingly as she headed away from Sally, on to some errand.
    Sally was left contemplating the conversation. Had she really been flirting with Brandon? The fact was that although she had not intended it, she had been very friendly towards him, and he had obviously gotten the wrong idea. On reflection however, she also had to admit the odd daydream about what it would be like with him; he was after all a very handsome guy, if not more than a little vain. Also the thought that a guy ten years her junior would be interested; had a certain erotic appeal.
    A vision of them both in bed together caused her to shake her head in confusion.
    “just stop right there Sally. You are happily engaged to a man you love dearly – enough of this nonsense!” With that thought, she determined to knock any idea of a romantic clinch with Brandon on the head, before it got too far to stop.
    ******
     

Chapter 2
    Robert groaned as his mother Agnes, shouted that it was time for work. It was 7am on a cold spring morning, and he was due to get up and fix a section of estate fencing that