Page 4 of Sun, Sea and Spotted Squid

“Do you like paella, Sam?” Paul asked.

“I love it. I do eat more than egg and chips, you know,” Sam said. “In fact, I make a mean paella myself…probably not in this kitchen, mind.”

They all agreed and Sam let his shoulders drop a little.

“Paul has been reading about the best paella place in Valencia,” Genevieve said whilst staring adoringly at him. “It’s only a few streets away.”

“That’s settled then,” Astrid declared.

“Pronta,” Maria said, over Astrid’s shoulder.

It was a momentous occasion. They were all together for the first time.

“Selfie,” Sam commanded.

Everyone got in for the picture.

“We’ll have to do another one when the other guy arrives,” Maria said. “Otherwise it’s not fair.”

Sam had almost forgotten about their missing member.

“What’s his name?”

“Wolfgang,” Astrid said. “I saw it on the email.”

Wolfgang?

That sounded butch. What would he be like? They would find out soon enough.

TWO

The narrow pavements out on the street meant the group had to split up. Genevieve and Paul strode off and were pointing things in the shop windows out to each other. They obviously didn’t like being out of each other’s sight.

That left Sam with Astrid on one side and Maria on the other.

“What a lucky man to have two gorgeous women on his arm,” Astrid said, nudging him. “The blonde Swedish beauty on one side.”

“And the dark Italian goddess on the other,” Maria added.

“So, Sam Davis,” Astrid continued. “Do you like blonde girls or do you prefer dark ones?”

Ah, the inevitable question. It’s true what they say. You never stop coming out of the closet.

It had come earlier than expected.

“I don’t really mind about hair colour. As long as they have stunning eyes, are taller than me and have a good bit of stubble.”

“Told you,” Maria said to Astrid.

“Told her what?”

“She bet me five euros you were gay,” Astrid said, running in front and putting a hand up. “Wait, he might be bi.”

Talk about being upfront and personal.

“In the interest of five euros, I can confirm that I am totally gay. And very hungry. Come on, let’s catch the others up.”

“Oh well,” Astrid said with a sigh. “You can’t blame a girl hoping for evens.”