Page 9 of Fionn
Cleo and I had already discussed a whole lot of things over the phone, like what I was looking for in a partner, what my plans for the future where, and so on. This visit in person today just felt like a formality. I'd had to bring my passport so they could verify my identity, and Cleo had mentioned something about an optional DNA test but had been somewhat cagey about the details.
The agency's logo - a kilted cupid - was printed next to the doorbell. I took a deep breath and pressed the button. A light flashed under a small wireless camera installed next to the door. I waved at it. The door buzzed and I walked in, feeling both anxious and excited.
Cleo waited for me in a cosy office, most of which was taken up by a huge red sofa. She shook my hand before sinking back on a simple wooden chair, holding her very pregnant belly. Her ebony, glossy hair stood in sharp contrast to her almost porcelain skin.
"About ready to pop," she sighed in a gentle east coast accent. "Make yourself comfortable. I'm afraid that if I sit on that sofa, I won't be able to get up again."
The sofa was as comfortable as it looked. Two glasses of water stood on a fake marble table between us along with a bowl of chocolate biscuits. I resisted the temptation to take one, then I remembered that I no longer had to watch my diet and picked up two.
"We've already chatted on the phone but I wanted to welcome you to Hot Tatties anyway," Cleo said happily. "My boss, Pam, might pop in later, but otherwise this is completely private and nothing we discuss will leave this room. We value confidentiality and so do our clients."
I wasn't too fussed, so I simply nodded. Once I'd officially announced that I was no longer going to swim for Britain, there'd be nobody in the media or public interested in who I dated. Unless she meant the guys.
"Do you advertise for men the same way you do for women?" I asked. "With ads promising adventure and free holidays?"
Cleo smiled. "No. Most of our male clients come to us directly in search for partners. It is how we finance our work. We regularly get donations from happy clients who found their mat-, I mean, who found love through our agency."
For a moment, I felt the whole thing was a little seedy. Men paying to be matched with women without having to do the legwork themselves. But then, I was doing the same thing. I could have downloaded a dating app. Instead, I was sitting on the world's most comfortable sofa.
"Does that mean most of your male clients are well off?"
Please give me a billionaire.
Cleo shook her head. "Some are, some aren't. Just yesterday, we added three new gentlemen to our database who are from abroad and whose currency is difficult to match up with our own. But that didn't matter. We vetted them and thought they were great candidates for some of our ladies. Anyway, I don't want to keep you for too long. I have two things to discuss with you today."
She pulled a small plastic vial from her pocket. "As I mentioned on the phone, we'd like to offer you a DNA test. Together with a university, we have developed a unique, patented way to find romantic matches. All you have to do is spit in the tube, we'll get certain markers in your DNA analysed and uploaded to the database, and our algorithm will do the rest." She suddenly stopped and chuckled. "Sorry, that sounded like an advert. But it really works. I've seen dozens of couples get together and describe it as being with their soulmate. It's more accurate than any other matching technology."
"What if you don't find anyone?"
"Then we will send you on that holiday to meet people we think have a high chemistry score based on your questionnaire and you might still find the person you want to spend the rest of your life with. Science is great, but sometimes intuition is just as good - and I've got a knack for matching people."
I shrugged. "Alright, I'll do it."
She handed me the test tube, and I spat in it, feeling slightly self-conscious. Cleo bagged it, then pointed at the desk behind us. "Would you be so kind to pass me that tablet. I feel like a right hippo at the moment."
I couldn't help but laugh as I grabbed the device. "Is it your first?"
"Third. And he's the biggest of them all. Anyway, we just got a new opportunity that I wanted to show you. You said you're flexible, right?"
"Yes. I haven't officially quit yet, but I think everyone knows it's coming."
"Good, because this trip starts tomorrow."
"Tomorrow?" I sucked in a sharp breath. I hadn't expected it to be that soon.
"I usually wouldn't even suggest it, especially as your DNA test hasn't been done yet, but I feel like this opportunity was made for you. I'm not allowed to give too much away, but let's just say that there will be a lot of water and swimming."
"Saltwater?" I asked in the hope for her to divulge a little more.
"Oh yes. You'll be surrounded by it."
Could it be a cruise? I'd hate that.
"Along with lots of other people?"
"No." Cleo grinned. "I can see what you're doing. I really can't tell you anything else. If you're up for it, all you have to do is pack a suitcase. We'll send someone to pick you up tomorrow morning and then you'll be gone for four weeks. You technically don't even have to bring your wallet. All expenses will be covered."
It was so very tempting. But I hadn't expected to leave that quickly. Could I really do this? Just pack my bags and disappear for a month? I'd have to call my trainer, my agent, my landlady, my friends...
