Clouds Below the Mountains Read Online Free Page A

missing.
    â€œShall we sit over by the window and I’ll order us a couple of cool drinks? I don’t know about you, but I’m extremely thirsty.”
    The senior rep’ lead the way, her annoyance at the non appearance of Lucy, bristling in her thin features. Two spots of colour began to show on her boney cheeks, a sure sign that someone was going to get a talking to. She smoothed her brown hair back onto her forehead and checked that the pins from her chignon were still secure, as she sat opposite this guest, who she knew was about to make a complaint.
    â€œJuan,” she said to a hovering waiter. “Will you get us some drinks? What will it be Mr…? Sorry you didn’t tell me your name. I’m Kathleen Jones, senior rep’ by the way.”
    â€œMy name is Cooper. Paul Cooper. Could I have a gin and tonic? I know it is quite early to be drinking spirits, but I could do with a little alcohol. I’ve already had quite a stressful day.”
    â€œA gin and tonic and a still orange, please Juan. Bring a chitty over and I’ll put it on the company bill. Now, how can I help you, Mr. Cooper? You say you came in on the Manchester flight? Didn’t Lucy our rep’ stay to help you book in?”
    â€œUnfortunately not, she left us to it, but that isn’t what I would like to complain about. Firstly, I am not happy that I have to leave my passport at Reception for the whole of my stay. What if I want to hire a car and need to prove my identity? And secondly, when I booked this holiday for me and my family, there was no mention on your website about having to wear a wristband to prove that we had paid for All Inclusive. I have a colleague at work, I’m a Sales Executive with a Ford dealership by the way and he told me that when he stayed in an All Inclusive hotel, he and his family were given an identity card each, to show in the dining room or the restaurant and bars. To be honest, I object to me and my family being tagged as it were and considering I have paid a lot of money for the only suite of rooms that the hotel boasts, I feel that I should be treated with more regard.”
    â€œAh,” said Kath, wondering what she was going to do about this one. She took a sip of her drink that had just arrived, praying that somewhere in her conscious she could come up with an answer.
    She wondered if she could use her persuasive charm, it sometimes worked if she put her mind to it.
    â€œWell, to answer your first concern, I can understand your hesitation in handing your passport over, but they are well looked after in the hotel’s safe. Unfortunately there have been a few unscrupulous guests who have left without settling their final bill and although there is an All Inclusive tariff here, guests have run up charges for other facilities. If you want to hire a car, we can help you by putting you in touch with a reputable local company and of course you being a guest here is proof enough for them.”
    Kath took a quick glance at her guest to see his reaction before continuing with the second issue. He seemed happy enough with her explanation.
    â€œAnd now to your second concern. To be honest we have never had a complaint regarding the wearing of an identity band before. As it is hotel policy for guests to wear a wristband, our company has never felt the need to advise our clients of it. But I am sure that if you were to put your suggestion of identity cards in writing to Head office, they would be more than willing to take it up with the owner of the hotel.”
    â€œDo you think so?”, Paul answered, feeling a little more relaxed now that his gin and tonic was kicking in. “I know that my employers are usually very pleased when their staff come up with new proposals. Yes, I’ll do that as soon as I get home.”
    â€œGood,” said Kath, feeling a sigh of relief beginning to bubble up inside her. “Now, when we’ve finished our drinks, can