Page 5 of Sun, Sea and Spotted Squid

They carried on toward the busier street where Genevieve and Paul were waiting. A handsome young man stood outside a butcher’s shop with a tray of cooked meat samples. They all grabbed one. Sam’s stomach had been growling for the past hour.

“Nice meat,” Astrid said, winking at him.

A wink he returned.

“Are you here to find a Spanish lover then, Sam Davis?” Maria asked.

“Who knows? Perhaps two.”

“I am,” Astrid announced. Stating a very obvious fact.

She proceeded to tell the group about her broken engagement and how she’d taken this opportunity to focus on healing and figuring out what her life had in store. Maria didn’t have a broken engagement, but she obviously saw herself as Astrid’s wingwoman.

Thank goodness we’re not room neighbours.

The restaurant came as a bit of a shock. Plastic plants jostled for room with various bullfighting memorabilia.

“Is this it?” Astrid asked as she peered in.

“Not Instagrammable enough for you?” Sam replied.

She stuck her tongue out.

Genevieve grabbed Paul’s hand. He didn’t seem very pleased with Astrid’s honest yet rude reaction.

“Anyone who knows anything about food knows it’s about the plate not the place,” he said with a sniff.

They walked inside leaving Sam, Astrid and Maria looking aghast.

“Whoops,” Astrid said as they followed them in.

It didn’t take long for the frosty atmosphere to disappear. Astrid had some wonderful stories and Paul soon perked up. Sam had sat opposite him and the red wine he chose slipped down smoothly along with the delicious tapas dishes. Perfect for getting him in the good food zone.

“Are you going for the tourist paella or the Valencian paella, Sam?” Paul asked.

Now there’s a challenge.

“Why don’t we share one?” Sam replied. “You can choose.”

Seemingly impressed, Paul ordered the Valencian option. The waiter fussed around the table, particularly toward Astrid. Which, of course, she lapped up.

In no time, the waiter delivered a sizzling pan of rice, chicken, rabbit, snails and vegetables. The smell made Sam’s mouth water.

“Oh. Were you hoping to have some of this?” he asked Paul with a wink.

“Let battle commence,” he replied.

If Sam hadn’t felt that his overseas adventure had started before, he certainly did by the time he rested his fork on his plate. Not a morsel remained and he was fit to burst.

He took a moment to scan the table. So far, he liked everyone and hopefully couldn’t have picked better people to spend the summer with. Once he got past the wall that couples inevitably throw up, Genevieve and Paul were good fun. Genevieve came across as very kind and interested in what people had to say. Paul managed to match Sam and even Astrid for funny anecdotes.

They called into a bar on the way home. This time, Astrid chose the venue and the clientele seemed very social media friendly. She’d clearly done her research on that score.

“Selfie,” Sam called.

As they waited for drinks, they struck a pose. Sam posted it immediately.

“We should follow each other,” Astrid declared. “Then you can tag me in that.”