Page 35 of One Night in Edinburgh

‘Not such a bad idea…’ I muse. ‘Though I still wouldn’t want compromising videos of me splashed all over social – there is a line, you know.’

‘Interesting where you draw it though.’

‘OK, fine. You want the dirt that badly? Here it is…’ I give the pair of them a full run down of my experience, complete with every sarcastic and/or incredulous comment, starting with the barman watching the football in the first bar I visited. I only pause briefly to get my pizza out of the oven and throw the first slice down my throat hungrily, while trying desperately not to burn my mouth.

‘Now that’s why I stayed here all day,’ Anna declares, as I complete my blow-by-blow account. ‘Steph, you’re a legend! I’ve honestly never met anyone who’s gone as loopy over a bloke before – and I’ve seen some pretty desperate men and women. Though you do it with style, I have to give you that.’

‘I’m going to take that as a compliment,’ I say. ‘So, what have you two been up to since I left?’

‘Well, Anna persuaded me to go on a dating site,’ says Connor. ‘I’m now the proud owner of username Conacrae23.’ This announcement is accompanied by a slight grimace.

‘Anna, youdidn’t.’ I survey her with disapproval. ‘Seriously, you need to learn to stay out of other peoples’ lives.’

‘What?’ Anna shrugs defensively. ‘He had a bad experience, so he needs to get back out there before he loses his nerve altogether. You know, climb back on the horse and all that.’

‘He’s not a bloody jockey.’ I pause to take another bite of pizza. ‘He’s a gay man who’s only just come out, and he needs time to work through things. It’s not as straightforward as it is for you hopping from one bloke to the next like—’

‘Ladies, please,’ Connor interjects. ‘I love that you’re fighting over me, but please stop before you give me a migraine.’

Anna and I immediately fall silent.

‘Thank you.’ He acknowledges us individually with two nods of his head. ‘Now if I may, I’d like to give my own view on this. Steph, you are correct, this is all new to me and I know I’m not ready…’

I throw anI-told-you-solook at Anna.

‘But then Anna made a very solid point,’ he continues. ‘The best way to become ready is to spectate from the sidelines, so that’s what I’m going to do.’

My expression remains blank from this non-revelation. ‘What does that even mean, Connor?’

‘It means I’ve “hired” Anna to manage my new online dating account for me. She’s already created my profile, and she’s going to manage all my interactions for me.’

‘When he says “hired”, he’s not paying me, just to clarify,’ Anna chips in. ‘I’m more than happy to do it.’

‘I bet you are.’ I absently down the last of my wine as my troubled mind processes this. ‘Connor, you do realise that Anna’s a loose cannon when it comes to this kind of stuff. Do you really want her going rogue with your dating life?’

‘Hey, I object to that.’ Anna purses her lips in fake indignation.

‘It’s true though, isn’t it?’ I smirk, giving her a little wink.

‘No.Connor and I have agreed some ground rules – and I’ve also agreed to stick to them.’

‘You’d better have them written in blood,’ I say to Connor, shaking my head and heading to the fridge for a refill. ‘Because if there’s a loophole, she’ll find it.’

‘It’s fine, Steph,’ Connor calls across to me. ‘All Anna’s going to do is help me get a feel for what’s what online. You know, who to avoid, who to keep chatting with. She’s going to manage the account for me for a couple of weeks to begin with, then once she’s got a few potentials lined up, she’s going to consult with me on each interaction before she responds.’

‘Huh. I guess that doesn’t sound so bad, as long as that’s how it plays out. And she keeps it clean.’

‘Who do you take me for?’ Anna complains.

I’m about to respond when my phone buzzes on the floor beside the couch. We all stop and look at each other, then Anna leans over and grabs it.

‘It looks like a response to your appeal.’ She hands it to me with wide eyes as I rush across and quickly read the email.

‘Oh, my goodness.The sender says he got my message and can I call him. He’s given me a number. What if it’s him?’ After nearly two weeks of trying to track Jamie down, I’m suddenly a bag of nerves at the thought that I might be about to speak to him.

‘Then you’ll have succeeded with your goal,’ says Connor. ‘What are you waiting for? Call him.’

‘OK, OK.’ I tap on the number in the email, put the phone to my ear and walk back into the kitchen, trying hard to keep myself calm.

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