Page 70 of The Gin Lover's Guide to Dating

‘Really?’

‘Yes. Really. What does it matter how old he is? As long as he’s in big-boy pants, what’s the issue?’

‘Dylan!’ I wail.

‘Aww, sorry.’ He laughs guiltily. ‘I couldn’t resist. I’m done now, I promise. I’ll go set up those advertising affiliations for you.’

‘Probably a good idea.’ I eyeball him as he legs it to the other side of the room and disappears behind my laptop.

A couple of hours later, I’m slipping into a chair at The Gatehouse, an upmarket restaurant in Duddingston Village, near Arthur’s Seat. Opposite me is Josh, looking heart-stoppingly handsome in fitted jeans, a shirt and a tweed dinner jacket.

‘You look incredible.’ He grins proudly across the table.

‘Ditto.’ I raise an eyebrow in what I hope is a sultry way.

It appears to have the desired effect, as Josh’s expression shifts to one of hungry lust.

‘So…’ He clears his throat, trying to compose himself. ‘Have you been here before?’

‘A few times,’ I say without thinking. ‘I’m pretty well versed in Edinburgh’s best restaurants.’

‘Right.’ He gives a low whistle. ‘Used to the high life then. Better take note of that.’

I silently kick myself for letting my materialistic side show through. That’s not who I am anymore, not who I ever really was. From Josh’s reaction, it’s clear that this isn’t his regular type of place. He’s done this to impress me, which is really sweet.

‘What kind of places do you usually eat at?’ I ask.

‘I don’t eat out that much.’ He shrugs. ‘But when I do, it’s normally Italian, a steakhouse, that kind of thing. I just prefer a more relaxed atmosphere.’

‘I get that.’ I think back to all the pretentious places I used to eat in with my work crowd.

‘I’m guessing you got your taste for the finer things in life growing up.’ Josh grins across the table at me.

‘What?’ I’m thrown by this assumption. ‘No. Nothing like that. I didn’t… when I was growing up… I was…’

I tail off, suddenly feeling like a cornered animal, unsure where to go with this. I don’t want Josh to think I’m some kind of pretentious snob with a spoiled upbringing. But I can’t bear the shame of him knowing how I really grew up.

Thankfully, he’s already moved on to a new topic of conversation.

‘So, what do you think of Aaron?’ He pours us each a glass of water from the carafe on our table.

‘Aaron?’ I try to hide my relief. ‘I think he’s great. A bit awkward obviously, but he’s bailed me out of a hole more than once now. I owe him a lot.’

‘Oh, how so?’

I realise I’ve inadvertently strayed back into dangerous territory.

‘Actually, maybe I’m over-egging it.’ I wave my hand dismissively. ‘What about you, what do you think of him?’

‘I think he’s a great guy too.’ Josh nods in agreement with himself. ‘A bit difficult to chat to, but he’s a brilliant boss. Really into helping people get on.’

Before I can assert my own agreement, an immaculately dressed waiter appears at our table, with freshly baked bread rolls and sea-salted butter presented on a dark grey slate. He takes our order, and we dive straight into tearing and buttering our rolls. I take my first bite of the delectable warm, crusty-on-the-outside, soft-and-fluffy-on-the-inside bread roll with creamy, salty butter. Like it’s the most delicious thing I’ve ever tasted in my life, it triggers an unwelcome pang of longing for my former life. I quickly and forcefully shut this down.

‘Yes, Aaron’s definitely one for helping people.’ I revive the thread of our conversation. ‘It’s good there are people like that in life, what with the gap between the rich and the poor continuing to grow. It’s not exactly opportunities for all.’

‘Mmm, totally.’ Josh nods in agreement, but doesn’t elaborate.

‘And don’t get me started on the rates of child poverty and food bank usage. In this country. It almost makes me want to emigrate.’

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