Page 67 of The Dicktionary Club

Zola started to giggle. His accent was so undeniably charming, and she felt herself swaying. Well, she had told Curtis she was out with the girls, she thought. And he’d ask too many questions if she came home early.But was it wrong to have a drink with another man? Even if it was just to be polite?

After a slight delay, Zola finally answered, ‘I suppose I could have one drink?’

‘Agh. Perfecto.’ His face lit up. ‘Will we go here?’ Alvaro pointed to the Gardener bar, a pretty cocktail bar draped in ivy, which seemed lively. Zola watched groups of young students cackle outside on the terrace enjoying their cocktails together.

‘Yeah,’ she said. ‘Sure!’

Alvaro headed inside for a table and Zola followed, as he held the door open politely. She glanced around, ensuring no one at the office was around.You’re not doing anything wrong, she reminded herself. Alvaro pointed to a small empty booth snug in the corner of the room, and together they weaved their way towards it. ‘What would you like to drink, Zola?’ he asked.

‘Erm .?.?. A vodka and diet Coke, please.’

As Alvaro went to the bar, Zola sat on the grey leather seat and felt her hands turn sweaty against it. She thought about Curtis alone at home and wondered how he’d feel if he knew where she was. A stab of anxiety pierced her heart and suddenly she stood up.

‘Hey! Hey! Where are you going?’ Alvaro asked, returning with the drinks.

‘Look, I’m sorry! It’s just .?.?. I have a fiancé, Alvaro. Iprobably shouldn’t be doing this,’ Zola admitted, completely panicking. It all came out before she could stop it.

Alvaro seemed deflated, yet sat down regardless. ‘Probably.’

‘It’s just that Ella told me all about you, and she showed me some of your messages. I suppose I thought you seemed genuine and like one of the last remaining good guys out there. I was curious. But now I’m here, this all seems wrong.’

‘Zola. You can’t have me getting abandoned twice in one night, eh? Look, it’s just a drink. Tell me about yourself.’

Zola hovered, hesitating.

Alvaro pushed her glass towards her. She glanced at his innocent face. She knew if she left now, it would ruin his night completely, plus Curtis would definitely think something was off. Eventually taking a seat again, Zola swigged some of the alcohol.

‘Well, what do you want to know?’

Alvaro shrugged. ‘Everything, I guess.’

*

Two hours later, Zola was laughing hard with Alvaro, feeling tipsily drunk. They were enjoying a fantastic night, sharing one another’s dreams and ambitions for the future, even if she had to act at least slightly surprised when Alvaro repeated a lot of his from the messages he’d sent ‘Bella’. Alvaro planned on graduating in Scotland and working here for a few more years before travelling the world, particularly Asia. Zola shared that she wanted to launch her own online marketing and social media business, which would allow her to travel, read more, plus spend time with her loved ones back home in London.

She felt alive speaking so openly with someone equally as passionate about success and making something of their life. With Curtis, Zola felt like she always had to dampen down herdreams or ambitions around him, as he seemed to lack any sort of drive himself. Zola snorted with laughter at Alvaro’s encounters on the 240 bus, when he first arrived in Scotland; he told her how he’d been completely baffled at the accents and how he’d been witness to a knife fight following an old firm bust-up. Zola also shared her thoughts about the people she’d encountered since relocating north of the border; ultimately, she said, she did love it here, but it did take a bit of readjusting. As time passed far too quickly, Zola became aware of how much quieter the bar was becoming, and although it seemed inevitable that the night would have to end, she wasn’t ready to leave him just yet and so the pair carried on drinking.

But, eventually, the bell on the wall rang for last orders.

‘I’ve had so much fun tonight, you know,’ she admitted.

‘I did, also, Zola,’ Alvaro agreed. He opened his mouth to speak again, then stopped himself and shook his head.

‘What?’ Zola giggled. ‘Come on! What were you going to say?’

Alvaro laughed, looking flustered. ‘I was just going to say I’m glad Bella decided not to show. I know it sounds unkind, but I can’t imagine having this much fun with anyone else.’

Zola nodded. ‘I’m glad she didn’t show, too. Hey, it’s her loss!’

‘Drink up, people!’ the barmen called out loudly once more.

Alvaro groaned, stood up and put on his cord blazer. ‘Where to now?’ he asked.

Zola shook her head as she stood. ‘Well, I suppose I need to go home.’

Alvaro lightly brushed her hand. ‘And you have a boyfriend at home?’

Zola felt another gut punch. She nodded back, feeling slightly ashamed.

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