4 comments/ 16360 views/ 2 favorites Cuthbert Racing By: Egmont Grigor CHAPTER 1 This story is set in Sydney, Australia * * * It was stormy when late morning the young boarding school history teacher, Sophie Cuthbert, hurried under the lashing of wind and rain, shedding her hat and coat before entering the head mistress's office where she was given the expected news. Thirty minutes earlier the school board decided to fire Sophie following her admission she'd supervised an interschool hockey after-match party knowing that party drugs were being used and she did nothing to stop that prohibited practice. She also had been verbally obstructive when school authorities called in the police to close down the end-of-season party, an action widely publicised in the media that allegedly had brought the school into disrepute. "I'm so terribly sorry Sophie. You have been a fine teacher, an inspiration particularly to our slower learners and your bubbling personality has been admired by all of us. But I must say when you were called before the school board and asked to explain yourself, saying 'Go to Hell' did nothing for you, that being the total sum of your defence." "Well haven't those sanctimonious assholes sitting on the board got anything better to do than criticise?" "Thank you Sophie. Please leave these grounds within the next thirty minutes and make no effort to speak to anyone. Mr Hodge the gardener will now escort you to your room where you shall pack and then drive you to the airport." "Everything is already packed." "Oh Sophie, you are the brightest teacher ever to come my way." "Thank you. Oh my next class is in twenty minutes. Could you...?" "It's all taken care of dear. Just modify your behaviour a little and you'll find your special niche in society." * * * David Cuthbert, principal of Clew and Associates, Barristers and Solicitors, and wife Rebecca, met Sophie at the airport. "Sophie, we are so sorry." "Thank you Uncle David." "My dear let me hug you. It came as such a shock." "Indeed and thank you Aunt Rebecca for your sympathy." "My concern was for your mother's and my old school darling but your attitude ever since in your early teens was to rebel and take no prisoners and that really made you unfit for military service or to enter law unless of course you specialised in criminal law." "Very droll dear," laughed her husband. "Why have you chosen to stay with us Soppy? Your parents know about your disgrace." "Well Dingo, you are my father's younger brother and he's always put you down and Auntie Wreck always has been softer and more sympathetic than her best friend, my mother." "Oh darling, what a wonderful thing to say about me. Me sympathetic? God I must be getting soft." The legal mind of David clicked three notches. "In effect darling Soppy did not paint you as being sympathetic. All she said was you always have been softer and more sympathetic than her mother. I'm sorry to be pedantic, but there we are." "Is that what you meant Sophie?" "I really don't know what Dingo is talking about, do you?" "No, not really. I believe I'm not as tough as your mother." David said he'd do his best to find Sophie a teaching position in a boarding school located somewhere in rural Australia where survival meant more than good manners and where fighting, rebelliousness and breaking rules were considered to be character building. "Does such a school exist?" "I would think we have more than them than one would suspect Rebecca." "No thanks. I have high ideals and want to make women a real force in this country, unshackling the yokes lingering from Colonialism. The closest I've ever got to bright kids was taking the ski team to Queenstown, New Zealand, and coaching hockey that attracted the elite girls. In the classroom I was always landed the dummies." "Darling I do think it's not PC to call students with learning disadvantages that name." "Fuck fancy names." "Sophie!" her aunt and uncle yelled. David asked diplomatically how did Sophie intend filling in her days. "Finding a job at Icon Boat Fittings Corporation." "The chairman, your father, will resist that. He runs a multi-million-dollar company listed on the stock exchange that sells its boat fittings in twelve countries..." Sophie said, "Fourteen countries." "Er, fourteen countries with earnings of $270 million..." "Actual gross earnings last financial year were $265.3 million." David stopped in surprise. "Then you know something about the business?" "Yes you dingo. Don't you recall I worked in the office every long vacation from the time I was fifteen and when I went to university between semesters I held down jobs in stores and in packaging and dispatch. Although I have worked in Victoria for the past three years I have maintained an interest in what my family is doing." "But you'd need long business experience before you could hold down an executive position in a company as big as Icon Corporation." "Dad always skites that like his father he started at the bottom and worked up so that's what I plan to do. My two brothers weren't required to do that, going straight into legal services and financial admin because of their degrees and I know dad wishes they had started at the bottom." "Darling, I can't imagine you sweeping floors and cleaning toilets," Rebecca sniffed. "That work is done by outside contractors. I meant starting at the bottom of the payroll." David said confidentially, "There's no way you'll get on the payroll. Your father still personally approves all mainstream appointments." "Will you give me a thousand bucks if I succeed, by fair means or foul?" "No." "He means yes darling, this sounds like fun." In the car Rebecca said, "I'm glad you're coming home to stay with us. I've always wanted a girl in the house. Promise me no drugs or scandalous goings on within our property because it could adversely affect on Dingo's reputation... er David's reputation." "I promise. I guess it's okay if I bring guys home, only one at the time though, to fuck?" Rebecca groaned and David almost drove into the car stopped for a red light. "You know guys each of us needs a mission in life and on the tedious train journey to Sydney I decided on my mission." "To stay out of jail?" David half whispered. "To marry a fine bloke and have a lovely boy and girl?" Sophie snorted, "You're not even warm." "Oh, you don't mean to seduce every male in Sydney?" "No Aunt Rebecca." "What about every attractive woman in Australia?" Rebecca choked and Sophie giggled, "Good one Dingo. Old age is loosening you up a bit." "David, that was disgusting." "Oh come on Rebecca, you heard what the girl said. Loosen up a bit." "Well here it is folk. Generations of Cuthbert's have made our family name famous sailing on Sydney Harbour and I aim to ultimately persuade dad to commission a keelboat and name it Cuthbert and continue my family's tradition. I always have been the best sailer in the family as I sail by instinct and almost made it to the Olympics in small yacht sailing. Every free weekend I have gone from college into Melbourne and crewed on a 40ft keeler and we'd go out sailing for fun when racing was cancelled because of storms. Give me a crack boat and I show you my stern." "I have noticed it. It has widened and rounded fulsomely just like your boobs. You have grown up deliciously Soppy." "David!" The censoring yell from his wife made David drive straight across the intersection when he should have turned left. Fortunately the traffic light was green. They reached the cliff top home overlooking the harbour with any further incident and David kissed Sophie, said welcome home and went off to work late, being thanked for his diligence to his naughty niece. "It's just a setback -- you'll get over it sweetheart." "You used to always call me sweetheart," Rebecca pouted. David checked his watch and said another half hour could make him unacceptably late. "What, you two still fuck?" The aunt and uncle didn't know where to look. "I'm going to love living with you two," Sophie giggled. "Mom and dad don't interact enough with one another for my liking." David hurried off, waving. "God darling, life is going to pep up with you around," said her aunt, picking up Sophie's guitar and one of her six bags. "You have a lot of luggage." "It's everything I own." "Oh Christ, let's go shopping and don't you dare tell David I used that word. He thinks I'm almost saintly." "Oh yeah?" Rebecca raced for the door, hiding her blush. They'd returned from shopping to build Sophie a decent wardrobe and Rebecca had gone off to attend an afternoon executive meeting of the Ladies Fundraising Guild. Sophie was beside the pool playing her guitar she'd used for singing lessons to urge greater response to slower learners when a gangly guy of about twenty-two came to the fence and called, "Not bad." "Hi, come over. I'm Sophie, David and Rebecca's niece." "Wow, some niece." "If you're going to flirt you'd best stay over there. I'm not into cradle-snatching." "How old are you?" "Mind your business." The guy vaulted the fence and peered as Sophie's eyes. "Can't see wrinkles. You must be under thirty." "Twenty-seven is accurate." "Cor, old enough to be my mum. I'm Andy Blake." He held out a hand for the guitar and Sophie handed it across. Because of his confidence she'd expected he'd be good but not this good. "You have professionally trained fingering." "Shhhhhh. I play in a local band. I'm considered good, but not that good, and the music we play doesn't extend me anyway." He played a bracket and then asked, "What's a favourite pop song?" "You won't know it." "Try me." "I especially like 'Long Tall Sally'. It used to be my father's favourite Rock 'n' Roll song." "My dad's too which is my I know it." Andy began playing and Sophie cried stop and told him he needed to put more oomph into it. She tapped out the beat for him and he grinned and said, "Clever bitch." His expression didn't change when Sophie began singing and when they finished all he said was, "I've never heard a female sing that. You're good. Okay, let's see if you know this one. He played 'Can't Get You Out of My Head.' When they finished he said, "Jesus." "Yeah, thanks. I know I sing okay." Andy handed back the guitar. "Want to swim?" "Yeah," Sophie said, pulling off her sundress, stepping out of her panties and turning backed up up to him to undo her bra. "I-I was going home to get my bathers." "Why waste time doing the right thing?" Sophie jumped in and began swimming knowing he'd be ripping off his clothes. She heard the spashing behind her so slowed and allowed him to touch the end first. While he stood panting she pulled herself out and sat with her feet in the water, knees apart. "Like what you see?" Andy's eyes bulged. "Why don't you lick it?" His eyes hooded and he moved between her knees. In the semi-privacy of the summerhouse Sophie watched the 22-year old's long slim and very white dick slide into her pussy. She sighed and pulled Andy towards her roughly and his balls slammed against her groin. "Ah, that's good." "I'm not wearing a rubber." "I'm not dumb enough not to be on the pill." "Can I shoot over your tits?" "If that gives you a thrill why not?" "Sophie, you're the coolest older chick I know." She laughed, that action squeezing her hard butt and thigh muscles and the pressue seized Andy's thrust midway up the channel. "Sophie!" he blurted, looking under stress. "Oh sorry," she said, relaxing, giving Andy an experience to tell his mates over a beer. They were in the house having coffee when Rebecca returned home and she joined them. "Oh, I'm pleased you two got together. I had thought of asking you over Andy but then thought you might be a little young for our Sophie." "Andy could be a surprise package Aunt Rebecca and might even surprise you." Rebecca turned scarlet and Andy eyed her speculatively, as if seeing her in that way for the first time. Sophie stood by the fence as Andy vaulted it and as he turned she offered her lips to be kissed. He obliged and then asked, "Don't you care if your aunt or my mother see us? "No, this is perfectly normal behaviour between consenting adults." "Um, ah. Sophie, this is to do with talent and nothing to do with you allowing me to fuck you. I play lead guitar in a seven-piece band. Will you audtion with the band tomorrow night and then be our guest singer until you become otherwise occupied?" "No, I'm really not into that. Anyway, you'd expect me to fuck the whole band." Andy said dryly the singer and the drummer and keyboard player were female. He and Sophie fell about laughing. When Sophie went inside Rebecca said, "You are Andy seem to be very close for a couple who've just met?" "Yes." Realizing that was all the answer she was getting, Rebecca tried again. "You two didn't um...?" "Fuck?" "Yes." "Yeah, it good way to fill in time." "Oh god, I know his mother." "Calm down Aunt Rebecca. Of course you do. You are neighbours. I saw him looking at you and lick his top lip. At an opportune time you ought to...?" "Oh god, don't say it darling. I get into enough trouble already because of my suspected adultery... oh god, I shouldn't have said that." "You are always so lovely with me Aunt Rebecca. My mother always said you were a slut when you were at college with her. Your secret is safe with me, I promise." "Oh thank you darling," Rebecca said weakly. A couple of minutes later, apparently recovered, she said they must go out and find some quality jewelry for Sophie. "You are the daughter I never had to spend money on." "Will I have have to go to bed with you to earn such trophies?" Rebecca opened her mouth to scream and reply and just caught the wicked smile in time. "God you are a dangerous young woman." Over dinner with a third of a bottle of white wine and two martini's under her belt, Rebecca was in fine form. And when David pulled out a jewlry box and handed it to Sophie and said she was the daughter he'd never had to buy jewelry for. Sophie looked nervous. David interpreted her concern correctly and said, "I sent a young female lawyer out to choose something appropriate and gave her the price bracket." Sophie thought it was modern and ever so choice. It was an elegant woven gold necklace and must have cost a couple of thousand dollars. Sophie raced to David's side and hugged and kissed him. At the other end of the table Rebecca said sweetly, "Will Sophie have have to go to bed with you to earn such a trophy?" David may have fallen out of his chair had Sophie not been hugging him. "Rebecca!" They laughed when Sophie said lightly, "Isn't Aunt Rebecca such a tease?" Next morning, wearing one of her aunt's very old dresses, lipstick as the only makeup and her aunt's gardening sneakers, Sophie entered the café at Icon Boat Fittings Corporation and applied for a job. "When can you start?" asked Mrs Wagstaff, the harrassed manager. "Now?" "Perfect. You'll need to fill out this form and show ID." Sophie showed her driver's licence and the alert manager said, "You have the same name as our boss and his sons." "Is that a coincidence?" "I don't know what it is but I want you behind here helping to make sandwiches and you'll need to clear tables during the coffee break and then during the lunch session that spreads over two hours. You payrate is seven-fifty an hour?" "What?" "Is it too much for your darling," the manager grinned. "Come on, move your ass and please dress a little smarter tomorrow." Clearing tables near the end of the late lunch shift Sophie kept her head down but it didn't work. "Sophie?" The voice rang with disbelief and conversation at the table stopped. The two blondes sitting on either side of Sophie's younger brother Sebastian looked at her coldly. "Oh hi Sebbie." "What on earth are you doing clearing tables?" "Waiting for my boat to come in?" "What?" "Bye Sebbie. I'll be fired if I don't work at a trot." "And who is Sophie?" one of the blondes asked. Sophie smiled when she heard her brother sigh and say, "My deliquent sister." "I don't believe you. It's some slut you shafted during one of your drunken evenings." "It's the truth Thelma. If you can prove I'm lying I'll marry you." "Oh Meg, he's telling the truth as he wouldn't surrender as easily as that. How could he have such a slut for a sister?" Sebastian didn't comment; he was on his phone. Five minutes later the café hushed as heir-apparent Shaun Cuthbert entered the large room, pulling his cuffs with gold clufflinks from under his snappy dark grey and black pinstripe suit. Neither he nor his father had ever been seen in the café. He approached the bimbo clearing away tables. "Sophie what the hell are your playing at?" "Fuck off Shaun. Ask me during a break." Thelma's 'Jesus!' was heard around the room. "Why you little bitch..." "Touch me Shaun and you're on your ass on the floor. I don't act as sailing skipper with assholes for crew without being able to run a tight ship." "That's bullshit," Shaun snarled. "Come on, dad wants you in his office." He grabbed Sophie's collar, pulling her backwards. The next thing anyone remembered seeing was he was three feet up in the air and crashed heavily on an empty table, smashing it to a wreck of plywood and aluminium. "You bitch, wait till the old man hears about this. He'll be down to rip out your ovaries." Everyone sat stunned, more shocked by what Shaun had just said rather than the mistreatment of a senior executive by a café assistant. Five minutes later the boss's big tit PA Jill stood in the doorway. She called, "Oh Miss Cuthbert?" Sophie emerged from the kitchen. Jill took two steps backwards and said, "The executive chairman would like to see you in your office at your earlier convenience." "Okay, that will be 2:30. Tell him not to keep me waiting because my break is only fifteen minutes." "Thank you Miss Cuthbert. That is very courteous of you Miss Cuthbert." People sat speechless. Sophie scratched her ass. "What's Big Tits' name?" "Jill," choruses most of the women present. The manager kept looking at the wall clock until finally, "You better go now Sophie. It's 2:15." "Just allow me to go at 2.28 and that will be fine Mrs Wagstaff." * * * Sophie walked into the outer office and the PA looked down at her bosom and said, a little fearfully, "I didn't ask for this job Miss Cuthbert. Your father seconded me from the word processing pool." "I can see a couple of reasons why he would do that Jill. Relax, it wasn't your fault." "You know my name," Jill said in awe. "Stop licking my ass Jill. Tell daddy I'm ready to see him." Roland came out beaming. "Oh darling, it's a pleasure to see you and to know you have survived your misdeeds." "Thank you father. What do you want?" "Come into my office. We need to discuss this in private." "Here's fine daddy." Roland looked out to the outer office and people jerked their heads down. "No daughter of mine is going to work in a company café." "That's fine daddy. Where would you like me to work? I'm afraid my tits are not big enough to be your PA." Roland appeared to choke and Jill looked like a trapped rat. "Where would you like to work?" "Well I've done checking off new arrivals against packing slips and have done packaging and despatch, I did marketing at university as my double degree so can skip sales and HR would be a pain in the butt. So next in the upward tier is corporate affairs including business promotion." "Would assistant manager suffice? The position has been non-existent." Cuthbert Racing "Perfect daddy. I'll start there tomorrow. Say hi to mummy for me." "Yes dear." CHAPTER 2 Sophie reported to the manager of Corporate Affairs and Public Relations next morning at 8:30 to find the executive was none other than Thelma who appeared to want to marry Sebastian. She noticed Thelma's knuckles were white and when Thelma spoke her voice was tense. "Good morning. You may as well know I don't like your appointment here one little bit." Sophie smiled. "Is that a way to greet a colleague?" "What?" "A colleague, it means..." "I know what it means you dumb bitch and if you lay a finger on me..." "Thelma, if you dare speak to me like this again I'll knee you so hard in the pussy you'll only be able to have sex through the other end for six months. Do you understand?" The very white face Thelma choked. "Is this conversation being recorded?" Sophie asked, her eyes only inches away from Thelma's. Thelma now looked puce. "Yes," she croaked. "Then I'll expect you to destroy that tape when I leave this room. Treat me like an equal and we'll get along just fine. I'm not out to take your job; I'm just here to see and observe before I take over as your direct boss. What is the name of your most competent assistant I can work alongside for a week?" "Jessie." "Thank you darling. You have gone through a wee bit of trauma. If you prove acceptable as a person I shall assist you to snare my brother if that is your aim and you'd like to learn strategy from me." In the outer office Sophie said, "Hi everyone. I'm Sophie and have been appointed temporary assistant manager of this department at my request because I shall soon take up the new appointment of executive director, general services. Some of you longer-serving people will remember me working here between university semesters. Who is Jessie?" "I am Miss Cuthbert." "Oh hi but I'm Sophie to everyone and always will be. I need to work alongside you for a week. You are a little cramped." Sophie sighted a woman at a much larger desk with space to squeeze in a second person. "Hi, could we swap desks with you?" "No. This is my desk." Sophie smiled and said, "Oh please, don't make me pull rank. I need to affect a swap for just five days. Could you please consider cooperating?" "I might. I understand you threw you brother across the room." "That's gossip darling. If I moved him more than four feet I'd be surprised. But I don't go around fighting everyone who stands in my way -- I lash out only when necessary and it's not necessary here because we're on the same team. My brother technically assaulted me and I had warned him not to touch me." "We're on the same team you say?" "Yes." "And no doubt I'm frustrating you?" "Oh, is that how you see it? I thought we were negotiating." The woman was surprised. "You mean I have a say in this?" "Yes, of course. Refuse me and I'll admit defeat rather than pull rank on such a tiny little issue." "Well I suppose I could shift. Only for five days you say?" "Yes, but I want you to agree only if you feel comfortable with this." "Yes I do, let's shift now Sophie. My name is Robyn. Like you I don't get pushed around easily." "I can see that. Thank you Robyn. Much appreciated. Now are any of you into sailing?" A big woman who said her name was Kathryn said she crewed most weekends on her father's yacht along with her fiancé. "Oh good. I wonder is you could do some research for me personally when you have downtime in the office. You will have better contact than I do. I plan to convince this corporation to have a yacht built for promotional purposes and raced. I'd liked you to find what the optimum size should be so we don't break the bank on upkeep and we could crew weekend after weekend without having to struggle to maintain a large crew. Of course once were are in the top five of our division attracting crew would no longer become a problem." "We sail a 34-footer. What length are you thinking?" "I'd like you to keep an open mind Kathryn so would like to keep that to myself until you give me your finding. If you incur legitimate expenses I'll sign them off." "Sophie, my name is Steven and I sail a bit but my interest is in where this could take us if approved by management. At present our support for our industry is through sponsorships that this department manages. If we launched a keeler that before the first season had us up in the top five of a division the kudos we'd get from the industry would be enormous." "That's my thinking," Sophie said. "Also it gets me back being a sailing master but please everyone, keep that under your hat. How many hour do you think that research will take Kathryn -- just a ballpark figure?" "Eight hours." "Can Jessie and I take some work off you -- that's providing it's okay with you Jessie?" Jessie nodded. Kathryn said, "Yeah, I have an urgency pinned to this draft brochure from our advertising agency regarding the wording about sail batten technology. The agency says the wording is and I quote, 'stupefyingly technical', unquote and our people need to lessen the need for a PhD to understand the points being made." "Oh that's easy, I know who to go to for that." "Good, and we need pricing and guaranteed delivery of these 250 invitations to a cocktail party in Shed 22 to be posted out by the 25th of this month." "Okay, we'll take that won't we Jessie?" Jessie smiled and said sure. Others in the 9-person room (10 with Sophie) volunteered to take work from Kathryn. Sophie called, "Now we're cooking like a real team" and everyone looked pleased. Jessie disclosed her real name was Jessica. She was bright and agreeable and communicated brilliantly, making it easier for Sophie to make herself more useful than she'd expected. They went down for coffee at the morning break and most of the room fell silent. Thelma who was just leaving sized up the situation. "This is the chairman's daughter Sophie, a fun girl and not Miss Dracula. Give her a break and introduce yourselves." Mrs Wagstaff, pouring coffee, had to look twice before she said uncertainly, "Is that really you Sophie?" "Yes Mrs Wagstaff. It's amazing what a bit of makeup and wearing nicer clothes and a tighter bra will do, isn't it." "You're Sophie all right. My heart almost stopped yesterday when I found I had the big boss's daughter on my staff." "Dad wouldn't have let me near this place after my latest disgrace. I had to come in the backdoor and shame him Mrs Wagstaff. I worked to avoid compromising you." "Call me Alice dear. I will follow your progress with interest." * * * On Saturday at breakfast Rebecca asked Sophie, "How many times have you spoken to your mother since you're been back?" "Um, I guess mum has been busy." "You liar. You've made no effort and she's made no effort. You too are like kids. We'll we're dining with them tonight and you're coming with us." "I really don't think..." "Sophie darling, be a good girl please. Your Aunt Rebecca doesn't ask for much but when she does she..." "Okay you witch. I'll come." "Oh great, let's go out shopping as we don't have anything to wear. David is going to golf." "Nothing to wear? You are either demented or forgetful darling." Sophie took the opportunity to acquire a party dress and she and her aunt arrived at the restaurant overdressed with David strolling behind them looking proud because they were rather stunning. But if they outshone Diana Cuthbert it was only by a whisker. Rebecca said "Hello darling" and Diana replied "Hello darling." They kissed carefully but arm stroked affectionately. Diana said, "I gather this is my daughter -- my kidnapped daughter?" "Hello mummy." "Darling please don't, call me Diana. Mum or mummy makes me feel ancient. God you look stunning." Sophie's face was split by a huge smile and she flew into her mother's arms and ignored the 'watch my hair and makeup' warming. Her father Roland, managing at last to take his eyes off his sisters new upper-shape, forced on Rebecca by her bully of a niece, said, "Hello darling Sophie -- you look ready to meet the Queen." "Thank you father." "Or to launch at ship." "Ah, that sounds better. Perhaps you meant the corporation's keeler." "Are we acquiring a keelboat?" "Yes, I'm working on it." "I see, and on who's authority?" "Granddad's I should think. I've only to pick up my phone and dial him in Hawaii..." "Um, could you defer that for the moment. He and mom have forgotten we exist and let's keep it that way till we go up to join them for Christmas." "Oh anything you say father." "Are we are getting back into yacht racing?" David said, appearing rather excited. "Oh darling, what a marvellous idea," said Diana. "Sailing before the mast were some of my most enjoyable days ever." "You are fanaticising," Roland said. "You were too scared to venture out of the cockpit unless the yacht was moored." "A little nervous after going over those stupid far too low rails twice, hanging on once and on that other frightening occasion being picked up by the following yacht in those shark-infested waters." Roland grinned, "Is that why we went yachting?" "No, you traded in Black Beauty for that motorised gin palace we still have." "Well, you don't need to worry," Roland said. "If Sophie manages to move me on this we'll not have women on board." "What do you call me dad? I'll be sailing master." "You will?" "Yes, I've had two years as sailing master on a 40-footer sailing out from St Kilda in Melbourne" "Well dad always said you were by far the best sailor in our family" Rebecca seized the moment. "As uplifting as this conversation is, would one of you men please talk to the hovering wine waiter." After the good health toast, Roland asked, "Sophie, why are you not living with us?" "Aunt Rebecca has a pool?" "No good enough." "She and Uncle David are very young in their outlook." "Not good enough." "I called them to meet me, knowing you two would have been furious with me." "You're damn right," said her mother. "Unlike the warm, sweet-hearted Aunt Rebecca and the understanding Uncle David." "Oh," said her mother and her father said, "Ouch." "And there's another reason." Everyone looked at Sophie expectedly. "I am to rise rapidly to senior executive level at Icon and with you dad being executive chairman and you mum being company secretary I thought it would be too claustrophobic working AND living together." "You mother and I get by." "Yes, but think of the affect of your stroppy daughter being added to the matrix?" Her father breathed relief. "Oh yeah." Diana said rather coldly, "And how to you propose to earn an executive position, with emphasis on earn?" "With my flair for organizing events, my flair in leadership and being the person responsible for the launching and racing of Icon's most effective marketing tool, the keelboat Cuthbert." "Yachting officials could rule that's too close to a trade name," said Diana, a lawyer as well as an accountant. "Show me the name of any firm within 1000 miles of here called Cuthbert's?" "You have become a bright little shit haven't you," he mother said in open admiration. "Little wonder they found the excuse to toss you out of a staid girl's boarding school." David smiled, "It amazes me Diana how you can come so close to being offensive and suddenly it's all bright lights and fuzzy feeling and makes you sound so lovely." "Diana is capricious by nature and always has been," Rebecca said, giving Diana a silent toast. During a period when the conversations were split, Roland said quietly to his daughter he was quite captivated by his enthusiasm of putting the Cuthbert name back into sailing but for him to proceed she'd have to present him with a convincing case and then he'd have to convince the board. The same thing applied to an executive position. "I'd like you high up in the structure but you have to show you deserve to be there. Sorry darling, but that's how it is to be." "I understand dad," Sophie said, looking across the table to the dark eyes of her aunt. She knew Rebecca had a building desire to fuck her and hoped Rebecca would not peruse that. It was not considered acceptable for an aunt and niece to become that close. Sophie took a call from a former girlfriend who'd learned she was back in town and invited her to go out sailing for lunch next day. She accepted and on the way home she announced her sailing invitation and Rebecca acted very disappointed, saying David was away at golf all day and she'd be left on her own. "I'll cancel." "No, don't you dare. Just give me some time next weekend. David's away both days at golf, last two rounds of the club championship qualifying rounds." "Right, lunch Saturday and on Sunday I'll hire a small yacht and take you out cruising." "Damn the golf, that sounds too good to miss." "No darling, you did very well last weekend and I'd like you to continue as you could have a good show in your handicap division." Sophie was in a cab on her way to the marina when Wilma called. "We'll be a few minutes late. Daryl car wouldn't start and my young sister borrowed mine. Daryl's brother has just arrived to ferry our gear and us. We won't be long." Daryl had met Sophie once just before she left to teach in Victoria and he was pleased to greet her after Wilma had finished climbing all over Sophie. The two had gone through university together and were excited to reunite. The brother Ted just gaped. "Ted, this is Sophie -- I told you about her." "You said she was a brilliant student, keen in music and fanatic about sport but you didn't say she looked sensational." "Well I suppose that's something women don't really notice," Wilma lied. "Hello Sophie." "Hello Ted. No, don't shake hands... kiss me. There, that wasn't disastrous was it?" "God no." "Are you all right Ted?" "Yeah Willy, never been better. Um, you haven't invited me but could I come sailing?" "I don't see why not. You moan that sailing is a bore." Ted looked up at the sky and said, "Well not today." The penny clicked for Wilma and she grinned and asked if Sophie would mind if Ted came along. "No, why should I?" "It was polite to ask." "Oh yeah, you're quite right to point that out. Sorry Wilma. What do you do for salary Daryl?" "I manage a real estate office in the LJ Hooker group. We specialise in commercial property." "And you Ted?" "I'm a draughtsman at a major design and build boatyard, Williams & Son." "Ah yes, I know it. They built dad's launch." They dropped the bags they were carrying on to the deck of the 38-footer and climbed aboard. Sophie went straight to the bow and removed the cover off the self-furling foresail and then dropped off the bow mooring lines and then waited with the folded cover at the hatch to be opened by Wilma who'd gone below. Daryl who's been watching Sophie after sending Ted below to bring up the winch handles called, "So you've been involved in more than a bit of sailing?" "Yeah, a bit," Sophie said, beginning to untie the cover over the mainsail in preparation for hoisting. Underway on the harbour, the small diesel motor being turned off, they sat with drinks in the cockpit, with Daryl perched on the cushioned part of the transom behind the wheel. "What craft does your outfit design and build Ted?" "Mainly 35-foot to 75-foot motor cruisers but we do turn out a few custom yachts as well." "Anything leading edge in yacht design?" "Not really although we did a shell on a racer that is at the back of one of our shed that was the subject of a claim against a defaulting owner but he was then declared bankrupt." "What length?" "Forty-five feet." "What's the shell like?" "Should be okay. It's still in the custom mould and covered." He joked, "Want to buy it?" "Could be interested." Ted said, "On yeah?" "First things first. Tell me about the design." "Roger Williams put his heart and soul into it, designed to be rated under IRC rules as a racing machine -- few creature comforts with emphasis on strength and a pedigree to perform best in freshening to foul weather." "Which means a bit of a dog in light airs?" "Designers are not supermen." "Quite. I'm interested. My parents are principal stockholders in Icon Boat Fittings." "I know that outfit -- we deal with it." "My parents are contemplating returning the family to sailing." "Of course, our father used to talk about your grandfather and father and the other brother was navigator. The Cuthbert's were a big name on the water. Do it again and it could be very good for business." "I need a big carrot to push my parents?" Wilma asked, "Why are you attempting to make this to happen?" "Because I want to be sailing master. I've had two seasons sailing a 40-footer out of St Kilda." "And over to Tasmania? That can be a real test on occasions." "Indeed it can be Ted. Well these are early days. We first have to research and do an analysis to find the optimum length taking into account investment, operating costs, crew sustainability and our racing objectives. We that have a clear view of the length of boat we require." "That already has been done for you by extensive computer analysis." "Oh god, 45ft." "Under present conditions, yes. But that analysis is good only to a point. They are myriads of variables involved and that's why sailing is such a pure sport -- no one, no matter how much they throw into racing can really control everything every time." Daryl said, "Well as interesting as I find this, I also find myself holding on to an empty bottle of beer. Sophie, take the wheel and talk to me about what you feel, see and suspect." A few minutes later she said: "She's wallowing like a coal barge. Far too much weigh aboard and is underpowered by those sails." Daryl sniffed. "Ocean Ahoy is a cruising yacht my dear. Everything stays as is." "Well, let's leave it eh. I could tension the backstay more and get you guys to crank up those winches and for what... half a knot? It's better to just let it run and talk and drink and eat." "Daryl, you take back the wheel. Sophie could you take Ted below and make some sense out of everything we all brought for lunch. There's not hurry but Ted bring up a bottle of red wine and two glasses for Daryl and me." When Ted returned he stood nervously. Sophie took the lead. "Do you want to do it?" "What?" "Wilma is giving us the opportunity to have sex?" "How do you know?" "You know she's sent us down here and you heard her say there's not hurry." "Well I don't know. How can you be so sure?" "Ted," Sophie said sounded exasperated, "Do you want to fuck me or not?" "Sure," she said, pulling off his polo shirt. "I can't wait to get at those tits." "Oh, how romantic. Come after them big boy." Minutes later Sophie gurgled in delight when into her hand fell a hot cock, not overly long or thick, but with an over-size head. "I can't believe I have the honour of doing this," Ted said with a finger up Sophie's butt as she lifted a leg high and he pushed his dick into her. Looking down at the huge balls resting on her upper thigh, Sophie whimpered. Later in the week Sophie arrange a midweek visit to a night club with Ted, teaming up with her brother Sebastian who she'd found out knew Ted very well and of course Sophie turned up with Thelma. It was quite clear before the night ended that Thelma and Sebastian had become closer... much closer. Ted told Sophie in bed in his flat later that he understood some women and guys fucked in dark corners of night clubs but it was the first time he'd seen anyone doing it. Sophie asked in faked surprise oh was that what they were doing; she'd noticed they seemed to become rather passionate in their kissing at the table. Cuthbert Racing On Friday afternoon Thelma put on a farewell party in their office for Sophie and in presenting Sophie with an expensive pair of earrings whispered, "He's dropped Margaret and I'm in... he can't get enough of me." "Just play it cool darling and work to place him on a lead otherwise some other bitch will come along." "Ah, just like I have?" "Yeah, but then you are a bitch with brains." In a short speech Sophie said the expected things and then added, "I'll be back to solicit the support of your guys to drive the Cuthbert project. It was amazing that Kathryn's research based on the opinions of people in the know turned up the optimum boat length of 45ft, which is what I learned from another source that had access to full-blown computer analysis. So Kathryn, you can bet Cuthbert will be 45ft or I'll walk away from the project." \ Kathryn and David were out with friends when Sophie answered a knock at the back door. She greeted David Blake. "Oh hello stranger. I was watching something stupid on TV, let's set outside." "I've been away on the band's final tour. It ended in Melbourne and we have broken up as almost everyone has other things to do." "Oh, I'm sorry not to have taken an interest. I am working." "Yeah, so mom said. I turned twenty-three while away on tour and now commit to my final year for my music degree." "And then what?" "I don't like recitals. Too stiff and formal for me. In two weeks I have to give recitals at university on guitar and piano." "Piano?" "Oh yes, it is my preferred option. I also play the clarinet pretty well so am equipped to teach music. Look I have two things to ask you. Could I fuck you reasonably regularly?" Sophie coloured and said that was a little in-the-face, asking her that on a cold start. "Well?" "W-e-l-l, oh crap. Yes. I don't appear to have any objections. I am playing around with this boating guy who is currently separated from his wife but according to him they are confident of getting back together after a cooling off period. Yes David, I accept your offer. As a matter of fact I was thinking it was the kind of birthday present you might appreciate." "You are the best woman I've every fucked Sophie and that's the truth." "God, I've found someone with my values," Sophie giggled, "but with a few rough edges to smooth. Does this mean you'd also go out with me... I meant locally down to the bar and would not feel ashamed of being seen with an older woman?" "Well now that I've turned twenty-three currently our age difference is four years. I can wear that." "Oh thank you. What was the other thing you wanted to ask me?" "I'm allowed to have one guest at my recital that is performed before my whole class and a panel of tutors and the associate-professor. Mom has been waiting months for toenail surgery and the dates clash. I want you to be there." "David, only one guest? You can't ask me. You have two married sisters and there's your father and you have aunts and uncles no doubt and cousins and close friends." "I want you to be there." "Oh David." "I want you to be there." "Well on this condition that you first clear it with your mother." "My mother suggested it. She says I'm always talking about you and you're the only female apart from family that I talk about apart from the girls in the band. She says I have a thing about you and ought to be with you and get it out of my system." "So your mother wants this and not you?" "No, fucking you regularly was my idea. I'm sure she had no idea we've done in twice." "Three times actually David. Am I so insignificant as that on the landscape of your life?" "Three? Oh yeah, over the front of my car that evening you came down to watch the band in rehearsal. That was a great way to spend a break." "Thank you David. Yes I would be honoured to be your guest at your recitals. I will manage to take time off work." David and Rebecca arrived home to find the couple, nude, in the double sun-loafer sound asleep. "God he's still up her," David snorted. "It will be flaccid," Rebecca hiccuped, swaying. "You go off to bed; I'll deal with this." Rebecca softly kissed them awake. "Oh God, caught in the act," Sophie smiled and kissed Rebecca back. David shot to his feet, hands over his genitals, and said, "Sorry Mrs Cuthbert. I found Sophie irresistible." "And I don't blame you young man. Goodnight, I'm off to bed/" "Um, did Mr Cuthbert see us like you did?" "No David. You must visit and do this more often. Good night." * * * Sophie went to the HR department, thinking it was better having her ascent through the departments formalized rather than screwing her father for consent to be placed where she wanted to be placed when he'd have no idea of the disruption such decisions might cause. She found the HR manager was the blonde Meg who'd been sitting with Thelma and Sebastian on the day Sophie had worked in the café. "Oh Miss Cuthbert. I heard you finished in Corporate Affairs on Friday and just assumed you'd float into the next department at whim with your father's blessing." "You have the right to kick my butt Miss Sharpe. I was wilful and apologize and respectfully ask for your support and cooperation." "Ask? Don't you mean demand?" "Miss Sharpe, I'm not a particularly patient woman..." "Oooh, a threat. I demand an apology." "Get fucked." "Ah, that's better. I like knowing where I stand with people. "I'll back you 100% in the hope you give me the chance to race on Cuthbert. My two sisters and I own and race a Mumm 30. I'd like to advance into something bigger. However my desire remains an expression of interest because if I demanded jobs for a berth that could be interpreted as a bribe. Please call me Meg." "I shall remember this conversation in the nicest possible way Meg. Please call me Sophie. Where should I spend this week?" "Here in HR. We are amid job annual assessments so need assistance with hiring, firing and complaints. You will have assistance." "I wouldn't need assistance if I was placed exclusively on complaints." Hmmm. Okay if you promise me you won't hit anyone." "Love your humour Meg. May I start off with a complaint against my elder brother?" Meg sat stunned. And then, "How did you know?" "Know what?" "We have this unresolved complaint against him and it's ticking over us like a time bomb." "Because I'm a drama queen and that would naturally pop up in my path for me to deal with? No I had no idea but my instinct told me bullies attract complaints." "I've failed in two attempts and had your mother with me on the second occasion as legal counsel, to no avail. I could be fired if I handed this over to you and you failed and it inflamed the situation." "Just give me the file Meg, show me a workstation and then get on with your job assessments." "Oh you are stupid, fucking stupid Meg," Meg wailed, unlocking the bottom drawer of her desk. I'm only doing this because my instinct tells me you have a superior brain to your brother's." * * * Meg looked in on her brother's office three times without success and the fourth call arrived just as his PA Josephine went in, leaving the door wide open. She went in and closed the door saying, "Hi guys, this is timely." "Good morning Sophie," Shaun said curtly. "Josephine this is my sister, Sophie meet Josephine Toms." "Hi Josephine. Now to business. Do you two wish to continue working for the corporation?" Shaun looked even more shocked that Josephine. "What the hell do you mean by that and what the hell are you doing in here without an appointment?" "Such an attitude is not conducive to the settlement of this outstanding complaint between you Mr Cuthbert and you Miss Toms. I began working in HR today, focusing on complaints and I asked for a tough one to start off with and apparently this little conflict is the best my manager could come up with. I anticipate a court hearing has been mooted, but what a stain that could leave on the business reputations of both of you -- a boss allegedly touching his PA and the incensed wording of the complaint suggesting a fear of rape, although not quite stating that, the wording being and I quote, "in fear of my ability to choose." "I strenuously object..." "Please Mr Cuthbert, allow me to finish. My objective is instant resolution not a protracted slanging match with one or both parties digging in. The time has passed for that so I either I receive a statement signed by both of you that you have resolved the outstanding issue of sexual harassment existing between you and you Miss Toms attach a declaration in which you state emphatically you have withdrawn your complaint or I recommend to our resident lawyer Mr Sebastian Cuthbert that we filed for this unresolved matter to be heard before a judge in the appropriate court." Roland looked at Josephine and her face crumpled and she began dabbing at her eyes. "Sophie, can we talk informally about this?" "No as I said earlier, the time has passed for that." Roland crashed his fist on his desk, making both women jump. "Josephine, I state categorically I was out of line putting the hard word on you and then ignoring your rejections, repeating it the next day. It was boorish behaviour and totally out of line and I deeply regret my action and apologize to you without reservation." "God, I never thought I would hear you say that Roland. I accept your apology and I shall be writing a draft of our joint statement and my statement of withdrawal as soon as you leave Miss Cuthbert." "Thank you Josephine." "And thank you guys," Sophie said. "Josephine, do you wish to be placed elsewhere within the corporation?" "No thank you. I'm happy here apart from those two occasions when Roland apparently forgot he was married." "Well, I'm off. I came in here almost wetting my pants you two would reject my pathetic attempts to get you to climb out of this hole." "You did well Soap. I think you have missed your vocation." "Yes Sophie. You were the only person to talk to us as if settling the dispute was more important than worrying about who said what, who did what, and what amount of compensation would make the injured party happy. You are such a sensible young woman." "Thank you Josephine. Bye." Meg had noticed Josephine enter the HR offices and give something to Sophie and the two women appeared animated. Before she had returned to her own work Sophie had knocked and was waiting to be invited in. "Yes Sophie, I trust you are making progress with our delinquents upstairs." "Here is my report and a couple of attachments Meg. It's all over. Perhaps you should give me a heap of complaints for me to resolve so I don't have to disturb you so often in seeking new work." "It's all over?" "Yes." "But how...?" "I just acted as if dealing with two delinquents Meg. Apparently others who had been involved were too circumspect with Mr Roland Cuthbert being involved." "Thelma is so right about you. Your tough behaviour is consistent -- straight as an arrow." The next day Sophie invited her father to take her to lunch. He claimed he was too busy so she asked should she advised her mother he'd personally head-hunted Miss Big Tits to be his PA. "I think I can manage lunch," he'd chuckled, adding, "You little bitch" and was told to bring her mother. CHAPTER 3 Sophie was already seated at the restaurant table when her parents arrived. Diana kissed her daughter and thanked her for her 'marvellous achievement'. "What achievement?" Roland asked, already seated with the wine list in hand. "Your daughter has gotten your son off the hook on that sexual harassment complain." "Who Sophie?" "Oh, what do we have here? I was unaware you had more than one daughter?" Roland threw a two-finger gesture in the direction of his wife and a crisp "Daddy!" produced an apology and he said it was unbelievable Sophie had achieved that. "What did you do, threaten to kill that dumb broad?" "Daddy!" "Sorry." "Thank you. No I made it quite clear I was the last-ditch attempt to salvage their careers." "That's bullshit -- we would have paid her off rather than allow her to take her complaint further." "I'm afraid you have under-estimated the morality of Mrs Toms daddy." "I'd agree with that Roland. That's why we were treading softly, softly. I was astounded when I learned that Sophie had been thrown at those too but by then she'd won full resolution so who was I to complain? I just heard today that Butler and Jones Ltd have finally agreed to pay that outstanding twenty grand because your daughter walked in and found all they wanted was an apology that our late delivery cost them a $10,000 contract." "Well why didn't they tell us that?" "Because no one bothered to investigate their grievance until your daughter poked her nose into it. She also got their agreement to resume doing business with us because your daughter was smart enough to offer them pricing at trade less 2.5%, knowing that they had spent, on average, over the three previous years $1.37 million per annum with us." "Christ why did it have to wait until Sophie came along?" "Sophie has already requested Meg of HR to investigate. Obviously someone in her department allowed that one to slip through the cracks." Roland said, "Well done baby. I hear people talking about you and mostly it's good. So we are at lunch to celebrate your victories?" "Not at all. I have set up a meeting at 4:00 on Friday at the boatyard of Williams and Son." "They built our launch." "Oh did they?" Sophie said vaguely. "I want you, mom and the boys to attend and stay on for drinks." "Is this something to do about that yacht you spoke about?" "Yes." "Then you should be paying for this lunch." "I don't have a expense account." Diana said tut-tut. "Darling, please fix this up for Sophie." "Okay but I'm not sure I'm ready for exploratory talks -- I require a full appraisal. The board would want my scalp if I went to them asking for $1 million with anything less than a full appraisal including cost-benefits." "That is underway daddy. The meeting on Friday is to commit. If the board won't play ball the family commits. Uncle David will be in and I'll call grandpa and grandma." "Now just you wait young woman..." "Leave her Roland. She's got you by the balls; I bet there is more to come." "Thank you mother. Well the shell of the hull is already available from a special project that went financially phut. It has been designed by Jake Williams, Andrew's son, as the ultimate racing machines -- or his version of it, with clean lines and to be raced with a crew of five to seven, depending of weather. Dad, I've been to see the drawings. I bet you'll drool. I see myself as sailing master-tactician, you as helmsman, and Uncle David as navigator. One of the other crew slots is for any proven sailor from work, including mom and alternating, and I'll find two semi-professional racing crew whom we'll have to pay." "Why can't the family and the company provide the total crew?" Diana challenged. "Because mother dear, the objective is to win races, heaps of races, so we want some of the crew with a race-winning pedigree." As they began eating Diana said, "Roland, don't you dare stand in our daughter's way." "Okay dear. But please give me credit for having a brain. After we decide if this is the boat for us or we find another design, we launch Cuthbert Racing. The boys if they are interested can alternate with David and I. Sebastian has experience as a navigator. I suspect David and I will soon run out of puff. What we need to do Sophie is to build the entire organisation around you, so don't marry a fucker who is not into yacht racing, at least in his support." "It's okay daddy, a dick and a yachting interest are my only requirements for a husband." "God, and you two reckon I'm coarse," Diana frowned. Back at the office Diana called Jake Williams. "Yes, Friday is confirmed for your meeting with the nucleus of Cuthbert Racing." "What, you have a name before you have a keeler?" "Yes and dad is committed, whether it's this hull or someone else's design. I suggest you get someone to paint Cuthbert from your drawing, a really good artist's impression that will hit him between the eyes and I'd then say, game over." "Yeah I remember him when he and dad were discussing the launch. If dad was attempting to describe anything technical he'd sketch something and your father would be fine. You father has a brain that is substantially image-focused rather than data-focused." "Oh that explains why when he sees big tits he knows they are tits." "Excuse me?" "Just a private joke Jake. Let's win this one on Friday night with a cheque being handed across eh?" "Damn right. I received the independent surveyor's certificate today that our incomplete hull is in A1 condition, thanks to it being kept in the mould and covered. We'll haul it into a shed for Friday night and flip it upright. We'll have drinks and nibbles beside it." "Good thinking. I suggest you get some of the leading hands to join us. Dad will probable remember some of them." "Yeah. Er, Melba in the office has big breasts. I was thinking of asking her to join us but then remembered your mother would be present." "Mum won't even notice," Sophie lied. "The important think is we want to keep dad relaxed and looking at Melba might be a big help." "Well I hope it works. Dad will be staring at your mom... he thinks she's a bit of all right." "Oh, despite he's in his mid-70s; aren't we a big happy family? Let's win this one Jake." At home that evening when Andy came up from between her thighs grinning and chin dripping, Sophie pulled him up on to her and kissed him, saying she was glad her aunt had invited Andy to come and go as he pleased and to even stay a night every so often if Sophie wanted that. "Well, this is my last time for a few nights," he said, as Sophie steered him in. "From tomorrow I'll be practising at the university from around 7:00 until I tire, which will be after midnight, until my recitals next Tuesday. You'll have to find your own way there." "I'm a big girl; I'll manage. Why don't you spend Sunday over here with Aunt Rebecca and me -- swimming and lazing around, eating and having a few drinks? "Yeah, that sounds great. Thanks." As Andy began picking up pace he said, "These solo recitals are important. I'll be graded on my performances. I have requested these recitals because I've been a bit slack in participating in approved activities although my tutors were aware I was playing three nights a week with a live band and went on three tours." "I'll give you all the support you need," Sophie promised, already having to support his weight as he pounded her and she attempting to push back with impeccable timing. On Friday Meg took everyone in her department out to lunch and thanked Sophie for her major contribution. "You really contributed heavily and helped weld us into a team. You've shown us numerous thinks about dealing with complaints. I have been asked to make this presentation to you. We had a whip-round and I doubled the proceeds from my slush fund. Sophie opened the box and it contained a beautiful pair of high fashion red slip-ons. "So Ivy, this is why you asked me yesterday what my measurements were including shoe size?" Sophie said to the office junior. "I just assumed you were thinking of borrowing clothes from me." Every one laughed and Sophie thanked Meg for her support. "Meg and I are likely to develop a sailing association soon as it has been a valuable time in a social sense coming into your department as well as learning something of how this corporation functions." Cuthbert Racing Meg then announced that Sophie would be working in sales promotions next week. * * * The extended family took a great interest in the shell of the hull of a yacht that could become a racing machine named Cuthbert. The interest increased when they were shown the drawings pinned to an office wall. Roland had become quite excited. "Please sir, come with me and you others too to see the crown in out presentation," said the rather plain but really buxom hostess who told Roland to call her Melba. They joined senior staff and stood between the hull and tables with beer, wine, shellfish and an array of finger food, being invited to help themselves. When everyone had a drink in his or her hand Melba said, "And now to end the presentation," Melba announced. She asked everyone to look across the hull to the big screen suspended from the ceiling and handed Roland an electronic handpiece. "There is only one slide. Switch on the projector please Mr Cuthbert. The screen illuminated and there was the magnificent sight of a 45ft sloop (keeler) powering through a swell on a reach, her name Cuthbert clearly visible on the polyester sailcloth of the mainsail. "We commissioned a painting of Jake's sketch off his drawings of his 45ft racer and had it scanned today to produce this slide. The painting and a copy of the slide are yours to keep Mr Cuthbert, whether or not you choose to have us built Cuthbert." Melba looked back at the screen and said, "Isn't she magnificent?" and everyone applauded. Roland and David went off with the father and son boat-builders and they emerged forty minutes later with old Mr Williams holding up a cheque and a copy of the contract. "I have a signed contract and cheque for the first progress payment. Cuthbert will stay in this shed until she's finished and taken outside for the mast to be stepped and to be rigged, prior to going down the slipway. This is a great moment for us all so let's party." During the evening Jake was at Sophie pestering her to inspect his office. She kept saying no, knowing he was married and probably had children land just as he was wearing away her resistance Rebecca came between them, unaware of what was going on, and asked Sophie to drive her home as she'd had more than enough to drink and felt ready to pass out. "Yes of course Aunt Rebecca." Jake went to the car with them and Sophie avoided the clumsy attempt of a kiss. "Will you come back," he asked hoarsely. "Jake, you are drunk and married." "What?" he asked plaintively and added, "Aw come on Sophie, give a guy a fair go." Sophie was left with the sneaking suspicion that Rebecca had sneakily decided to intervene to prevent the illicit liaison but only a few hundred yards down the road she croaked, "Stop the car". Sophie braked sharply and Rebecca unbuckled and leaned out but fell out of the car. She then vomited, mostly over herself. Sophie giggled, removed Rebecca's dress and cami and hauled her back into the car, still giggling and only then knowing she was unfit to drive and an a little over an hour it would be midnight. "You're drunk too," she giggled but managed to drive home without further incident. Sophie investigated banging next morning to find it was Rebecca stumbling about. "Oh hello dear," Rebecca said. "I'm pissed." "So I can see. Well the party lasted until almost 11:00 for us and David stayed on. Is he home?" "I've just sent him off to golf." "Oh all day playing two rounds, he'll suffer." "No, surprisingly he seems not to bother trying after a night on the bash and usually plays very well. Christ, did someone hit me last night? I've found this big bump on the side of my head and dried blood." Sophie hugged her and took her to the bathroom. "Here let me give you a couple of pills and I'll cuddle you to sleep." "Oh thank you darling. I always knew you had a purpose. What day is it?" They both awoke late morning feeling quite bright and went shopping. David arrived home just before 6:00 looking a real mess and appeared drunk. "I've put him to bed and he'd wake after a few hour and I'll then cook his steak," Rebecca said brightly. He's so happy; he played four under his handicap in the morning round and two under after lunch so is currently the leading qualifier in his division. The silly man just asked me what day was it." Late next morning with Rebecca's ballet music drifting from the house and they both reading beside the pool, Andy appeared. He kissed Sophie and Rebecca held up her arms to be kissed. He said, "It's peaceful here. I know, might I serenade you ladies. It will count as practice. Rebecca said no and Sophie said yes so Andy wandered off and returned with a dark-stained guitar Sophie had not seen before. For some ninety minutes he enchanted them, playing classical love themes. "God, I feel so sexy," Rebecca said. "Come on, inside for lunch." She presented them with cold smoked salmon with dill mixed in a lemon dressing with freshly sliced peaches on the side served with a French Chablis and crusty wholemeal buns. When they finished Andy dug through the CD's and chose a classical music compilation and as they lay back on the sun-loafers on the shaded terrace he told them about the composers and the changes in the music during a piece. Both women found that most edifying as they sipped more wine until Rebecca stood and said, "Anyone for sex" and walked off. Andy and Sophie exchanged wide-eyed glances and when he said "Yeah!" Sophie leapt up and he raced after her. Rebecca was already on the bed top just in panties. Andy, still dressed, grabbed the sides of the panties, Rebecca lifted and they were off. The two youngsters stripped and knelt on either side of their hostess and, er, anointed her with kisses and licks and fingers then went to work. Sophie knew Rebecca was fifty-one, same as Diana. Her breasts were small but her skin was in great condition -- a real testament for lavish spending on moisturising creams and anti-ageing preparations. She was undeniably soft and cuddy and Sophie told her. "Oh you darling, please sit on my face." Sophie obliged, with Andy already with tongue and fingers into Rebecca's other end. They puffed, grunted and wallowed for almost three hours before Rebecca checked the time and said they'd better finish because David could arrive home anytime. Although looking ragged, Andy bravely invited Rebecca to name her finale, which she did. Sophie braced as Rebecca tiredly climbed over her, leaving her dripping cunt just above Sophie's mouth and as Sophie penetrated with her tongue she felt her breasts being dragged to the sides under Rebecca's weight and Rebecca tweaking the nipples as Rebecca's tongue circled Sophie's clit. Andy was delayed lubing Rebecca's asshole and pulling on a condom. The room then became darker for Sophie as Andy climbed above her to get at Rebecca's butt. She was surprised that Andy was up and away into rhythm so quickly and when she asked him about that later he grinned slightly embarrassed and said it was obvious that unlike her niece, auntie had a very frequently used second channel. "It slid in like a rat down a drain pipe," he said and was berated by Sophie for saying such a disgusting thing. Andy was also told, "I don't mind you ass-fucking me more frequently as apart from the start-up I find your grunting and sighs rather theatrical and also it's very sexy feeling you sliding in and out when I finger inside my cunt." * * * On Monday morning as Sophie sat at the staff meeting conducted by the manager of the Sales Promotions Department -- called advertising/business promotion in most other companies -- Stanley Trotter heard his email buzz just as he was about to begin a new topic so paused to read it. "Ah, listen to this guys. We have a new star in our midst. Our beloved leader advises that from the first of next month his daughter Sophie will become executive director of a newly titled section as a result of minor administrative restructuring. Sophie will be head of Marketing Services and departments under her direct control will be this department, the Sales Department and the Corporate Affairs and Public Relations Department. Congratulations Sophie. Brenda could you please call Mrs Wagstaff and order us a trolley delivered just before 10:00 containing pies and cream cakes, coffee and iced water for six to this department and charged to me." Sophie was clapped and people called out congratulations. Stanley continued. "Our glorious leader also announces -- Jesus, this is good. We'll be in the thick of this. Roland announces the return of this corporation as a potent force in harbour yacht racing as a result of the initiative of his daughter Sophie, a keen and experienced skipper. On Friday evening a contract was signed for the construction of a 45ft racing sloop at the yard of Williams and Son, custom-built of a leading-edge design aimed at excelling in fresh to rough conditions. Details of this project will be released to the media for next weekend following an emergency meeting of the board called to ratify Mr and Mrs Cuthbert's decision to proceed with this quest to dominate the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron's Division 1. It can be expected other companies will leap to challenge this quest. The history of this company's involvement in harbour racing extends back to 1902 and the internal organisation to develop this initiative and keep it burning will be called Cuthbert Racing and will be under the control of Miss Sophie Cuthbert, who will by sailing master." "Okay guys, gather round and look at this. I'm opening a graphic." Stanley said Jesus and his permanent staff oohed and aahed as they looked at the striking image of Cuthbert on a reach with her name on the enormous tri-radical spinnaker obscured by the mainsail that also carried the name Cuthbert. "It will be a pleasure for this department to serve the cause and support you Miss Cuthbert." "For fuck sake Stanley, call me Sophie and that goes for all of you." It was a busy day for Sophie who was called to her father's side to help deal with the media. It was happening just as Sophie had predicted... indicate to all company personal that the announcement would be made at the end of the week and people would immediately tip off the media and reporters would rush to get the story of the return of the Cuthbert Family to harbour racing. That evening Sophie lay on a sofa in Andy's arms while Rebecca and David lay in a similar position on another sofa at right-angles. They were watching the early evening sports news with the yachting correspondent interviewing Jake Williams. "Jake, you really can't allege Cuthbert will have an edge of up to two knots on straight-line speed of any keel yacht in the RSYS Division 1 and will be highly competitive under IRC rules in handicapping." "Can't I Roger? Well I trained as a naval architect and when I design any boat and analyse outcomes I know within a whisker of that craft's ultimate speed. Sophie Cuthbert will be sailing master on Cuthbert and when I learned about this I contacted yachting officials at St Kilda in Melbourne where Sophie had been sailing the past three years. I was told she is a high-performance yachtswoman with an unquestionable yachting pedigree and if I want a sloop to be pushed to its ultimate velocity then I should hand it over to Sophie and allow her to hand-pick her crew." "Je... I mean gee-whiz. So what's your prediction Jake?" "[Bleep] Roger. We still have to build Cuthbert." "Come on Jake. You can do better than that." "Well Mr Big Mouth, what about this? I'll bet you a case of The Maccallan that Cuthbert will win her first race with Sophie Cuthbert calling the shots." "Right, you're on and you'll be my guest on the water that day." "Fine, and don't forget to bring the whisky." Rebecca clapped and said what wonderful publicity for Cuthbert Racing while David said what unnecessary pressure to place on Sophie. She laughed. "Bullshit, the challenge will fire up my crew -- I'll have no trouble getting them on board for sea trials and then after the handing over for shake-down cruises and then racing practice." "Well, when Cuthbert's launched that's me gone," Andy said. "You'll be too busy trying to become famous in limited circles to bother with the likes of me." "And that's also bullshit Andy. I'd like you to stay around as my companion and to help nurture the quieter side to my persona. You are intelligent, warm and loving and..." "Oh you two," Rebecca complained. "Grab your guitar Andy and let's have a sing-song... sea shanties, not love songs. David call your brother now and make sure we're guests on his launch on that day. Tell him we are good for the champagne and canapés. It's bound to be one of those idyllic Sydney Harbour picnic days." "What! I'll be hoping for a ripper of a nor'easter," grinned the sailing master, watching Rebecca's colour take a greenish hue. THE END