Esme Holding ran a Gentleman’s Club.
It was very exclusive and very expensive.
Her clients were the who’s who of the town.
Discretion was the order of the day.
Today Arnold Toikens, the Health Inspector, was coming for his annual visit.
He was a very anal man who took no joy from the business of Esme’s club.
She wanted no interruptions to her business.
With a days notice of his visit she had cancelled all appointments. One could never risk the discovery of business during one of Arnold’s visits.
Esme had learned he was not a man to be tempted. The previous Health Inspector had been a client so inspections were never an issue.
After his first visit he had closed her down for a week while she cleaned and scrubbed every windowsill.
She dreaded this day.
She contemplated how she might flatter him this year.
Morpethroad 
Well done SS – I do like where you went with this – the life of a ‘madam’ … though I’m sure window sills were not high on her agenda 🙂
Thanks RM, well no I think you are right, but some health inspectors and Property managers are very anal about window sills. And window sills don’t earn you any money.
😉
A clever take on the prompt — I never thought of health inspectors and gentleman’s clubs … and I’m sure they need to be clean, too! Sounds like Esme needs to figure out how to work with the new inspector.
Yes Zooky I am sure her mind has some cunning plan. Thank you for your comment.
Very interesting direction you went in there. I like it.
Hmmm… I wonder if she’ll be successful this time around. Somehow I don’t think so. Maybe she should start cleaning now instead?
Oh you may be underestimating Esme. She is very resourceful. Thank you for your comment.
Totally unexpected direction with the prompt – and I LOVE it. The very brusqueness of the opening lines draws me into the rapid clip of Esme’s thoughts as she tries to figure out her new approach for the yearly visit. You say she is very resourceful – I believe you! Definitely a longer story lurking behind this one.
So glad you joined the VisDare family! Welcome aboard and hope to see more from you soon!!
Thank you Angela your comments are very encouraging. I hope to be around for some time. I love these writing challenges.