Page 84 of The Gin Lover's Guide to Dating

‘I mean the person who gave a shit about things that really matter, rather than just making money, fitting into the corporate world and chasing a career. Things like the serious stuff in the world, like politics and the environment; and that I hate how some people have so much while others have so little.’

‘I did notice your principles had made a reappearance,’ Dylan jokes.

‘Right?’ I’m enthused by this comment. ‘He’s really sharp too. He makes me laugh like crazy – but in an intelligent way. I’m hooked when I’m talking to him. I’ve trawled the internet trying to get some clue as to who he is, but I’ve come up with nothing. I need to find out who he is, if he’s the full package… seriously, stop it. Both of you.’

Dylan and Reyes share a delighted look.

‘So, you think that this GrahamLeeton is your dream hombre?’ Reyes asks.

‘No.Maybe.I don’t know.’ I throw my hands up in the air helplessly. ‘All I know is that by not knowing, I’m building him up in my head. Now he’s taking up so much room, I need to know if it’s all worthwhile. Or if I’m totally wasting my time.’

Dylan takes out his tobacco and papers, and starts to roll himself a cigarette. ‘The whole thing just smells off to me, Squirt. Even the fact you call him by his full name, like it’s some kind of artistic tag.’

‘It’s his username, idiot. Like mine is MissGinFizz.’

‘Whatever.’ Dylan shrugs. ‘Well, I tell you straight off, with a name like GrahamLeeton, and him using his full name online, I’d put any money on it that he’s over fifty, fat, bald – and probably a paedophile.’

He seals his cigarette and offers it to Reyes, who, to my surprise, accepts it. Dylan then starts to roll a second one for himself. I regard him witheringly.

‘If he’s a paedophile, then why’s he spending all his spare time talking to a grown woman?’

‘OK… then he’s in prison. Or worse, he’s a serial killer.’ Dylan looks at me pointedly. ‘And he’s sizing you up as his next victim.’

‘I am thinking I have watched crime programme like this.’ Reyes, suddenly wide-eyed, nearly chokes on her pint. ‘Chica, you must be careful. Maybe Dylan is right. You are in dangers.’

‘I’m not in danger.’ I snort and shake my head. ‘You two are as bad as each other. He doesn’t know anything personal about me. He said he would never ask, and we’ve never even talked about meeting up either. This is all me.’

‘That’s how he does it.’ Dylan continues to wind me up. ‘He lets you think you’re the one in control. Bit by bit, you start to open up, unaware that in the background he’s piecing all these bits of information together. Then one day—’

‘That’s enough, thank you, Dylan.’ I shut him down. ‘Do me a favour and go have your bloody cigarette, will you.’

Dylan looks self-satisfied as he and Reyes get up and put on their jackets, then his face turns serious. ‘You know I’m joking. But in a way, I’m not. Just be careful, yeah?’

‘I hear you. Go on, get out.’ My face is dismissive, but I’m secretly pleased that I have my own big-brother type to look after me.

As they head out of the door, I pull my phone out of my bag and find I have messages from both the men in my life.

Josh’s message with its usual open affection:

Hey beautiful. Enjoyed our trip together today. Can I come over when I finish tonight? Around 10.30 p.m.?

GrahamLeeton’s is simply asking when I’m free to chat, which will now need to be before 10.30 p.m. As I reply to each of them, another jolt of guilt rushes through me. Am I really a two-timer? I don’t want to be that. I need to sort this.

Around 8 p.m., I arrive back at my flat and start chatting with GrahamLeeton straight away, while making myself a late dinner. With Dylan’s earlier words in my mind, I’m determined this will be a conversation with purpose. This time I’m looking for answers instead of our usual thought-provoking – but at the same time inspiring and entertaining – conversation.

MissGinFizz:OK, I’m finally free! Are you there?

He replies within seconds.

GrahamLeeton:At last! I’ve been watching my phone screen for the last three hours. Don’t think I’ve even blinked.

MissGinFizz:Ha, yeah, so you have. You’ll have missed dinner then too?

GrahamLeeton:Helps the waistline. How was the tasting session?

As I read this, Dylan’s image of a paunchy, late middle-aged man pops into my mind. I bat it away and type out my response.

MissGinFizz:It was fun. And educational actually. I thought I knew enough about gin, but there’s so much more to it.

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