AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"No thanks. I ate a teeny tiny piece of a ghost pepper once, and I was coughing for ten minutes after that." I open up my portfolio again and jot down some notes. "Sipping that whisky gave me all the heat I want. It is delicious, though, and like no other Scotch I've ever tasted. I can't wait to get started on a new marketing campaign."
He watches me with his lips curling into a cute little smile. Thane clearly enjoyed showing me all his secrets, and I can't deny I enjoyed learning all about the distillery and his new variations. But I still don't know enough about the man himself.
"I haven't given you a proper look at the most important room," Thane says. "We should end your tour where the stills are."
Though I had gotten a glimpse of those weirdly shaped stills, I accept his invitation. Once he has told me about that room, I will know everything about this operation.
Once we're inside the main building again, he shepherds me down the long hallway that ends at the room where the whisky is distilled. Fortunately, he doesn't take me up onto the metal walkway. I have no desire to repeat the calamity that happened this morning. At least I learned an important lesson.
Never wear high heels in a distillery.
As we stroll among the stills, I can't help noticing their strange shape. "Why are the stills shaped like giant onions?"
"I think they look more like a man's bagais, or perhaps a woman's cíoch."
"Uh, what strange Gaelic words did you just spout?"
He slants his head down to murmur into my ear, "I said the stills look more like a man's bollocks or a woman's tits."
"Oh, I get it. 'Bollocks' means balls, right?"
"Aye." He straightens and eyes me with appreciation. "How did you know what 'bollocks' means? You're American, and I was under the impression you had never visited the UK before."
"I haven't. But my son and daughter live in England."
"Do they? Why haven't you visited them?"
"Well, um, I..." Don't want to answer his question, obviously. It's humiliating. But I like Thane, and he's been very helpful in getting me up to speed on the distillery, so maybe I do owe him a little bit of truth. "I couldn't afford to travel that far. I've been unemployed for long enough that my savings had nearly run dry."
Chapter Nine
Thane
The more I learn about this woman, the more I admire and respect her. She worked hard to become a successful marketing executive, only to be sacked for no good reason. Then she struggled to find work. And I'm dead sure that during all that time, she never complained once about her lot in life. She clearly loves being a marketing guru. Most importantly, though, she's willing to take risks. And I dinnae mean only that she took a chance on coming to work here. She also risked her taste buds by sampling my unusual whisky concoctions.
Yet I have one question about what she just told me. "You were skint? But you wear designer clothes."
"I bought this suit for a job interview---the one with Fiona."
"Ah, yes, she did fly to America for that." I touch her arm. "I'm sorry you've had such a hard time lately."
She shrugs. "That's life. Sometimes it's amazing, and sometimes it sucks. But just so you know, I'm not struggling financially anymore. My signing bonus for this job put me in good financial shape. I'm grateful to you and Fiona for being so generous with my salary too."
"That was all Fiona's doing." I twist one side of my mouth into a rueful expression. "And most of what you see here at the distillery was made possible by the generous donations of my friends and family. They invested in the company."
"What's wrong with having investors? You clearly don't like the idea, but it's how virtually every company gets a leg up."
"Aye, but most companies aren't funded by the owner's mates and family members."
She hugs her portfolio to her chest, as she has often done today. "Do your 'mates' and relatives feel like you're freeloading?"
"Of course not. They're kind, generous blokes and lasses."
"Would you mind if I talked to some of your investors? Strictly to understand their roles in the organization and what goals they have in mind for the company."
I groan. "You can try that, but it won't give you anything useful. My mates and family have no expectations for monetary compensation or the like. They all told me to 'do what you like, laddie' and also suggested that the only dividend they want is first dibs on a bottle of each new vintage."
"You have amazing people on your side. They must really believe in your vision for the distillery."
