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Manchester ? A guy who grew up on the coast of Cornwall, yet it appealed maybe like chalk and cheese ?
Certainly Oxford road bustling with students from all over the world, cafe’s and bars where one might suppose, if frequented on a regular basis, there would for those of us ‘single’ people, a high chance of meeting someone, maybe even that someone, ‘special’ ?
The first time Marianne saw the guy she gave him a cursory glance ? Work required her attention far more !
It would be a little while later in her office that she saw him again ? This time she raised her head to glance through the glass to give him more than just a quick look ? He was well dressed and considering most of the guys in the office where she worked, day in, day out, he wore a tie ? How crazy is that? Falling for a guy because he wore a nice tie? !
Added to that, the bonus she could boast, that overall his whole appearance was one of someone confident ? Outwardly challenging ? Deep in conversation with the girl she knew as Lex ? Dammit, Lex! The office beauty, the one who had the guys drooling over her. “Can I fetch you a coffee Lex, can I fetch you a muffin Lex? “ If he felt in control, she knew that Lex ate males like him for breakfast ! Still he was doing very well in keeping Lex at bay and with some strength in his voice she reasoned his tone suggested the conversation was anything but congenial!
“Its not that I consider the whole thing unfair” M had moved from her office to the doorway to hear the conversation in progress “its preposterous.. there is no one anyone could consider sane would entertain such a ridiculous proposal ? “ He moved to place the paper in the palm of his hand, something M had not, until now noticed ! into Lex’s hand.
“You tell me how anyone could agree to paying an annual premium for such a service with that in the terms and conditions ? Its not as if I’m likely to make a claim BUT “ His voice tailed off as he moved his head his eyes now on M stood at the doorway looking at him ? His conversation was now directed at her.
“Maybe YOU can tell me if my reasoning is fair on this because I don’t seem to have much luck here with “
He looked back at Lex “What did you say your name was ?”
Though, if asked, she would deny it; Marianne was relishing the fact that Lex looked decidely annoyed but could say nothing other than to mutter. “Its our usual terms and conditions I don’t write them that’s how it is ! I can’t change it just because one customer, considers it to be unfair “ “Well you are hardly likely to tell me if that were not the case, I doubt if I am the only one that thinks these terms and conditions are unfair, perhaps I will go onto the internet and have a look for myself.”
M now moved towards him as Lex handed her the piece of paper she glanced at it .. “So what is your issue with this ? “ She paused, looked up at him their eyes on each other ? He liked her eyes, they had that fire in them, something echoed now in her words ? “Lex is right can’t be changed, normal policy” She omitted to tell him that he had been the fourth person that week with the same complaint!
“Your quote is based upon a set figure for my contents, mine are nowhere near the figures you have as even the basic amount apart from the fact that you state quite clearly that I would have to produce receipts in the event of a claim.
We don’t all horde receipts. Live orderly lives! BUT we do have those who want us to pay for insurance to a set figure and know all too well that they will never have to pay out on anything resembling that figure in the first place.”
He turned to move off. Stopping to add. “No I won’t be taking out household insurance with you, not on those terms and as you seem totally inflexible over this, this conversation is at an end. “ They watched as he smiles at M, moves off opening the door and then closing it behind him. “Well, I don’t suppose a thankyou is to be expected anytime soon! “ Lex laughed. “They’re all the same! What do they think we do ? Write the rules to suit ourselves? Still you did get a smile M!“
It was a few days later he returned. This time, he had visited the third floor in the motor vehicle insurance offices, separate from the household insurance division ? He stepped out of the office and moved towards the elevator as M also headed towards the elevator he acknowledged her ? ! She was surprised but smiled and as the elevator doors opened followed him in ? For the doors to close behind them, just the two of them ?
The elevator motor buzzed, a distinct and yet different, so M thought, from the norm, sound. As it shifted slowly moving downwards, the elevator shook, then lurched grinding to a halt ?
OK so M knew from past experience the darn thing wasn’t trouble free ! She cursed for not having used the stairs instead, something she usually did ? She wondered WHY, she had been so motivated this time, to take a chance and use the elevator ?
She glanced at him as he moved towards the buttons pressing the down button to the next floor with no response at all, “ Don’t tell me, its stuck !! “ M moved past him to press the emergency button as the bell sounded ! Confirming HIS suspicions. He settled back to wait, some ten minutes later he slumped to the elevator floor ... “So HOW long are we likely to be in this ? “
M was remembering the last time this happened. 4 hours !! She cursed under her breath, forgetting he was sat only feet away from her! “ It had better NOT be four hours !” “YOU are seriously NOT telling me, it could be FOUR HOURS ?!! “ Well here goes, thought M and HE was NOT looking amused, NOT at all ! She turned to look down at him. “Well, come on, get it out of your system! Then if we can have some peace and quiet without it being mentioned again! I would appreciate it! “
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