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Breaking the ice, Francis style

by Helen S, Norfolk, UK

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Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear.. Francis does know how to break the ice at a business meeting.

Got a lender's representative here this afternoon - so I get the coffee on the go, sort out the tray with cups, saucers, milk, sugar, cake and biscuits. Business meetings at Chateau Simmons, where Waffles is company purresident are a civilised affair.

One of the things I always ask visitors is how they are with cats. I realise that not everyone is quite as enamoured of the furred ones as I am, and if someone says they are allergic, scared of cats etc., then the office door gets closed to the felines whilst the business meeting goes on. Mind you, it is a definite negative point if someone doesn't like cats.

Today's "guest" says, "Oh, I love cats - got one at home. Love the beasts - don't mind them at all." So the office door is left open and the felines wander in and out as they please.

Anyhow, there we are, lender's representative, Vernon and I sat talking matters financial and sipping our fresh coffee and nibbling on cake and biscuits all the while. Refills of coffee abound and detailed discussions take place about the merits of this particular lender's mortgage products and how they may benefit our clients. All very interesting stuff - yawn. Then, Francis decides to introduce himself and break the ice. He jumps up on to the desk, wanders over to the rep and sniffs the guy's nose. Guy doesn't flinch - good sign - but I do 'shoo' Francis off and apologise for the lack of manners of a certain feline. Francis gives me a look of, "Huh, who do you think you are?" to me. Business discussions resume. Next thing I hear is the sound of a cat lapping… Business discussions stop and three human faces, lender's rep, Vernon and I all turn in unison to the sound… to see Francis with his head stuck in the milk jug drinking his fill. How utterly embarrassing and Vernon and I both look as if we want the ground to open up beneath us. There are times when being a cat slave is not filled with joy. Sigh…

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