Page 78 of The Gin Lover's Guide to Dating

I look at his made-up superhero name and groan loudly. It’s so obvious.

‘Come on, Liv,’ I coach myself out loud. ‘You’re supposed to be a smart woman. You’ll need to be a lot quicker if you want to keep up with this guy.’

I fire back a response.

MissGinFizz:Ha, of course. You have the power to bring things back into balance. Creating a more equal society. Righting the wrongs of the world, as you say. Am I right?

MissGinFizz:I blame my sluggishness on the hangover!

GrahamLeeton:Spot on! At least you got there eventually, eh?! ;)

‘Cheeky bugger!’ I shout at the screen, but I’m smiling all over.

GrahamLeeton:Being serious though, I detest the level of inequality in society. It pains me to see kids in gangs, dying needlessly, or not having a chance at a promising future because of the postcode they live in. Parents struggling to feed and clothe them, while the rich and famous use intravenous drips as cures for hangovers.

I’m shocked as his words sink into my very core, suddenly conjuring up some difficult memories from my past. My immediate instinct is to shut the conversation down, to hide from them, but I don’t want to. I feel a driving need to keep this communication going.

MissGinFizz:I completely agree. Though I do believe that hard work and effort has to be part of the picture. People can’t just be handed things on a plate without any effort whatsoever.

GrahamLeeton:Yet many people are – and more often they’re the privileged ones. If they have the contacts, the right postcode…

MissGinFizz:That is true. It’s the playing field that’s so uneven. Everyone should have the same chance in life. For some it’s such a desperate struggle – those born into money and a comfortable life simply don’t have the first clue.

GrahamLeeton:You sound like you may be talking from experience?

I hesitate, my breathing shallow. He’s tapped into this so quickly. Do I want to share how I grew up? It’s been my shameful secret for so long – from all those whom I met from university onwards anyway. I’ve never wanted to share it, even acknowledge it. But there’s something about this guy that makes me feel I’m in a safe place. That I don’t need to be ashamed. He doesn’t know who I am, and he seems to have some understanding himself.

No. Not now. Perhaps not ever. Butdefinitelynot now.

GrahamLeeton picks up on my hesitation and moves the conversation on.

GrahamLeeton:Sorry, MissGinFizz. That was possibly a little too intrusive. Let’s get back to more important things. Your superhero name?

MissGinFizz:No, it’s fine… I’m just… OK, yeah, change of subject. My superhero identity would be… hang on… *plays hold music*

GrahamLeeton:I’m imagining some kind of cringeworthy lift music. ;)

MissGinFizz:No way! My imaginary hold music is great. I use The Killers. Right, I’ve got it! I’d be Mirror Woman.

MissGinFizz:No, wait… that’s rubbish…

MissGinFizz:I’m Reflektra!

MissGinFizz:Can you tell I’m on Google looking up Marvel’s characters? :)

MissGinFizz:Are you still there??

GrahamLeeton:Sorry, I was obviously enjoying The Killers too much. :) Reflektra, eh? So, I’m guessing your superpower is something to do with showing people their true selves?

MissGinFizz:Exactly that! I’d hold the mirror up and show them how meaningless it is to be so obsessed with having lots of money and things – with materialistic wealth. A bit like the way the three ghosts show Scrooge his reality inA Christmas Carol.

GrahamLeeton:I like it! So, how would that story go? Tell me more about Reflektra’s specific modus operandi?

I become so immersed in our conversation that, by the time I glance at my watch again, it’s nearly four in the morning. With such energising, amusing and mind-stimulating chat, I’m reluctant to call it a night. But if I don’t want to feel like crap for a second day, I have to get some sleep. I politely wrap things up, say goodnight and shut down my laptop.

As I get up to head to the bathroom, I pick up my phone from the sofa and see that I have a text message from Josh, sent two hours earlier.

Hope you got home OK. Can’t stop thinking about our night last night. When can we do it again?

---