Page 22 of Sun, Sea and Spotted Squid

They had spent hours talking about squid, marine biology and their hometowns, yet somehow they had avoided discussing anything remotely personal.

“Whatisyour type?”

Wolfgang immediately stood and scanned the path ahead. “We shouldn’t stop for too long. Come on. Otherwise you’ll miss all the bargains.”

Then he took off down the path at alarming speed, forcing Sam to sprint after him.

The bleak car park outside the office block had transformed into a colourful bazaar. Stalls crowded every inch of tarmac, while locals bargained noisily with vendors. The atmosphere buzzed with life, and Sam immediately felt energised.

“I became obsessed with these places after a family holiday in Marrakech,” Sam informed Wolfgang. “That’s where I perfected the art of haggling.”

Wolfgang grimaced as though he would rather be anywhere else. Sam appreciated him honouring their deal.

Sam’s mission to improve his room started successfully. He bought a vintage Valencia poster, two plant pots and an utterlybizarre copper lizard. Wolfgang raised an eyebrow at the last purchase.

“Aren’t you getting anything?” Sam asked, amused by his confusion.

“I don’t need anything.”

Sam remembered Wolfgang’s painfully bare room. A bit of decoration might actually help him relax.

“I’m not sure about that. I dread to think what your flat in Germany looks like. Are you a minimalist?”

Wolfgang laughed before immediately frowning at a flamenco dancer figurine Sam had picked up.

“Perhaps. I don’t see the point in unnecessary clutter.”

“Do you live alone?” Sam asked, determined not to waste an opportunity to learn something new about him.

Wolfgang gently removed the figurine from Sam’s hand and replaced it on the stall.

“You really do want to know everything, don’t you, Sam?”

They squeezed through the crowds while one elderly woman attempted to sell Sam herbs guaranteed to make any woman fall in love with him.

Sam glanced sideways at Wolfgang.

Wonder if they work on tall German men too.

“That’s generally how people get to know each other,” Sam pointed out. “They share information.”

Wolfgang paused to inspect a grimy plate before shaking his head. “I do live alone, yes. What about you?”

“Nope. Still living with my mum. It cramps my style a bit, but it means I can afford things like this. Not that I’ve made much use of my freedom here either.” He paused when Wolfgang stared at him. “What?”

“Are you really like Astrid?” Wolfgang asked. “A different person every night?”

Astrid practically needed a revolving door fitted to her bedroom.

“She’s definitely a woman on a mission,” Sam said. “I wish I had that kind of confidence.”

“Señor!”

A stallholder waved Sam over to a display of extremely inappropriate postcards.

One featuring an exceptionally well-endowed bullfighter immediately caught Sam’s eye.

“Mum will love this,” he declared. “A true snapshot of Spanish culture.”