Page 30 of The Gin Lover's Guide to Dating

My words echo through the long, empty corridor.

‘You all right, Liv?’ A voice unexpectedly comes from behind me, causing me to jump.

My shock quickly turns to humiliation on realising that the voice belongs to Josh.

‘Oh… hi!’ I swivel round on the spot and beam at him, planting my previous pout back on my face. ‘Didn’t see you there… Have you been there long?’

‘Long enough.’ He chuckles. ‘Lovers’ tiff?’

‘What, that? No, not at all.’ My face is starting to burn. ‘Just, err… stupid voice recognition on my phone. Can’t seem to get a signal.’ I wave my phone around to emphasise my fib.

‘Interesting name for a device personal assistant.’ He eyes me curiously.

‘Hmmm…’ I pretend to be distracted by my phone signal to try and curb the conversation.

‘Are you on your break?’ Josh asks me.

‘Yes, actually.’ I look at him. ‘Is there anywhere I can sit for a bit?’

‘Yeah, there’s a staff canteen. Has no one shown you where it is?’

‘No, but that’s probably because Aaron showed me around the other day. I skipped the tour with Clara, so maybe I haven’t seen everything.’

‘Youskippedthe tour with Clara?’ His smouldering chestnut eyes are filled with amusement. ‘How did that go down?’

I regard him awkwardly, unsure. He’s given me a sense that he knows what a nightmare she is, but I’ve only just met this guy. What if it’s a test? I don’t know whether I can trust him.

‘It’s all right.’ He gives me a reassuring look. ‘I know she’s a mare. I’ve seen her in action, although she doesn’t actually know that.’

‘Right.’ I decide to opt for cautious sharing to keep him on side. ‘Well, yes, she wasn’t best pleased. In fact, she wasn’t best pleased that I’m here at all.’

‘Yeah, I heard you’re one of Aaron’s favourites from years ago.’ Josh’s lips curl up in a satisfied smile. ‘That won’t have gone down well.’

‘The wordsleadandballooncome to mind.’ I grimace.

‘Oh dear.’ Josh chuckles. ‘Well, just let me know if she’s making things difficult for you. I’ll sort her out.’

‘Thanks.’ I feel a wave of relief knowing that I have someone with some clout looking out for me; I couldn’t go to Aaron with something like that.

‘So, you hungry?’ Josh asks. ‘Want to get some food?’

For a moment, I wonder if he’s asking me out, then realise he means the staff canteen.

‘I could eat,’ I say. ‘Although I hear the food’s not up to much either.’

‘I bet Reyes told you that.’ Josh laughs, as we wander down the corridor together. ‘She’s a total food snob. Her husband’s family owns a two-Michelin-starred restaurant, among other successful ventures, in Spain. They’re totally loaded. I still can’t work out why she and her husband are over here slumming it like they are.’

‘I see.’ I nod slowly as recognition dawns. ‘She kept that quiet. Although, now the humungous diamond ring makes sense.’

We reach the end of the corridor and Josh leads me into a large room filled with white tables and black plastic chairs; a smattering of people sitting at them. The walls are bare and white, and the floor a nondescript grey linoleum: making the whole area look quite clinical. To the left is a self-service food area, with what looks like quite a range of hot and cold dishes on offer. In the far-right corner is the only saving grace to the room’s lack of character: a cluster of mismatched armchairs and sofas, a large wall-mounted TV blaring out the latest goings-on inEastEndersto a non-existent audience, and a pool table.

‘You any good at pool, Liv?’ Josh’s eyes follow my gaze.

‘I’ve played a bit.’ I shrug disinterestedly. ‘Not for a really long time though.’

‘Maybe we can have a game after?’

‘Sure, why not.’ Although I really don’t fancy it, I decide it’s best to humour him for now.

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