Page 88 of The Gin Lover's Guide to Dating

Andy1996:Don’t choose. Have them both. Just don’t tell them. ;)

KitKatCat:Yeah ’cos that always works out well. You’re such a typical male chauvinist, Andy1996. Lucky for Amanda she hasn’t come across you.

Andy1996:I’m a woman, you idiot. Andy is a unisex name. Don’t be so judgemental.

KitKatCat:LOL. Sorry about that. Still think your idea’s stupid though.

Reyes reads right to the bottom of the comments, then looks up and regards me sympathetically. ‘I am seeing why this is not helpful, Chica.’

‘Right?’ I let out a sigh of resignation. ‘I’m even more confused than I was in the first place.’

‘This is because your opinion is what is important. The answer is clear. You must meet with this Graham. And then you know exactly who you choose.’

‘I want to,’ I say. ‘I’ve even suggested it. But he’s told me he can’t meet me yet.’

‘Why is this?’ Reyes suddenly looks suspicious. ‘What he is telling you?’

‘Just that he can’t meet me yet. That’s it. Oh, and that he has some complications in his life just now.’

‘He is marriage.’ Reyes’s eyes fill with concern.

‘You mean married, right?’ I cock my head to one side. ‘Not marriage material.’

‘Yes, yes. This is what I say. He has wife. And children. You must choose Josh.’

‘Hang on.’ I laugh. ‘That’s just one possibility. And one I’ve already considered. In addition to Dylan’s unattractive late middle-aged man, prison inmate and mass murderer theories. But that’s all speculation. Graham and I have been chatting since he told me that, and he’s asked me to trust him. I feel that I should. It just means I have to wait a bit longer – which isn’t easy at all. I’m not a very patient person.’

‘Chica, please.’ Reyes doesn’t look totally comfortable with this. ‘I am just asking that you are taking care. When you are meeting with him, Dylan and me, we will come and be near – we will keep you safe as housing.’

‘OK, sure.’ I laugh. ‘I know I’ll be in good hands with the two of you around.’

A few hours later, I head to the staff canteen for my break.

Once I’ve waited in the small queue and filled my plate with a rather delicious-smelling portion of steak pie, boiled potatoes and mixed vegetables, I settle into a seat at the far end, away from the other staff members who are also having some downtime. Before even my first bite, I unlock my phone, open up my blog chat app and send an instant message to Graham.

MissGinFizz:Are you there? I’m on my break. Got about 20 mins to chat.

I set my phone down beside me and take a mouthful of steak pie, which tastes just as good as it smells. Before I’ve even swallowed, my phone lights up beside me.

GrahamLeeton:I am indeed. How are you today? Still trusting me, I hope. :)

My stomach does a little flip as I read the words in front of me. I realise this is the first time that’s happened. Before I had always been thrilled, excited even, when Graham messaged me, but it was in more of a sucked into the conversation kind of way. This feels more like actual chemistry – like a full-on teenage crush. I tap out a response.

MissGinFizz:I’m still trusting you. But also impatient. Are you not?

He replies instantly, triggering an avalanche of messages between us.

GrahamLeeton:Of course I am. But I know that good things come to those who wait. :)

MissGinFizz:Ah, the slogan from the old Guinness adverts. You’re quite the literary genius. ;)

MissGinFizz:Also gives away that you were of drinking age in 1998 or thereabouts. Thank goodness I can now score ‘spotty teenage boy pretending to be grown man’ off my list.

GrahamLeeton:You have a list??

MissGinFizz:Yup. And you do not want to know what else is on it.

GrahamLeeton:Hmmm… think I need to take some remedial action here. Should I tell you a bit more about myself? So you don’t need to make it all up.

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