Walking through the hotel corridor with its plush red and gold carpeting, the smell of freshly baked bread hits me. I pick up my pace, eager to get stuck into a schnitzel or whatever it is they eat here. By the time I’ve arrived at the almost deserted dining area, I’m beginning to wonder if this was the best of ideas. The huge windows looking out onto the main street on which the hotel is situated shows a buzzing crowd of passers-by and the bright afternoon sunshine reflects off the highly polished cutlery at my lonesome table. There are only three other diners sat at the far end and the strange Morris dancing type music is so low that I can clearly hear their conservation. Plus, there’s no sign of Frederick. I’m about to change tactic as, through the window, my eye catches a little boutique selling semi-precious stone jewellery, when a menu is placed in front of me, making me jump.
I look up in surprise and Frederick stares at me with a broad smile. I immediately notice the perfect bow of his dark upper lip. Despite his shorter stature, his muscular frame is evident from the fabric of his crisp black shirt straining itself across his pectorals and biceps and I can’t draw my eyes away from his smooth, shiny hair-free head. There’s a twinkle in his sparkling gaze and I sense he is aware of me observing him and enjoying the ordeal a little too much.
‘Welcome to the Montana Hotel. And sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.’ His heavily accented English sounds alluring and seductive and I feel my face flushing with heat. There’s something about him that has me riled up which is rather odd since he’s not my type at all. I’m usually a fan of the tall, blond, chopped hair variety but maybe that’s where I’ve been going wrong. I meet his gaze and frown when I see a small smirk forming where his smile was only moments ago.
‘Thank you, but there’s no need to apologise, I was miles away – I didn’t hear you approaching. I just want to grab a light lunch before I head off out to explore.’ I’m feeling slightly flustered as he’s staring at me oddly.
‘Can I ask if you’ve stayed with us previously?’ The way he’s pursing his lips and squinting his eyes at me suddenly makes me wonder whether I’ve misjudged the situation. ‘You remind me of another guest we’ve had here before.’ He places one hand on his hip and bites his bottom lip thoughtfully in an overly exaggerated manner that is reminiscent of my very girly and closest friend, Tilly. ‘Are you Monsieur Eugene Marcel’s partner?’
I’ve absolutely no clue who he’s on about but I’m certain it’s not me. I think I’d know if I had a very French and sexy sounding boyfriend. Trying to hide my disappointment at the prospect that he is either overtly feminine in his ways or – perhaps more likely given the way he is now pouting at me – gay, I politely shake my head.
‘No, I’m afraid you’re mistaken. I’m Everly Carter, I’m here alone.’ I make a move to pick up the menu and am taken aback when he breaks into yet another gleaming smile.
‘Oh, your accent is so very English!’ He places one hand on his chest in what appears to be delighted surprise. ‘You’re here alone – for work then, I assume?’
I’m beginning to wonder if I’m here for lunch or the Spanish inquisition, as he’s making no attempt to even acknowledge any food order. Yet, his energy is so infectious that I’m more than happy to entertain him.
‘Well, a holiday actually – I’m a schoolteacher. It’s my first time here in Zurich.’
‘First times are always the most exciting.’ He winks at me with a cheeky grin and finally points to the menu. ‘OK, I’ll give you a few moments to have a look and I’ll come back to take your order.’
He practically dances away, and I marvel at how upbeat everybody seems here so far. Since the minute I stepped off the plane, there hasn’t been a miserable or harassed looking person cross my path which I know is purely coincidental but it’s a far cry from what I’m used to lately. Especially since the news last month that my school failed its bi-annual inspection, with my department picking up flack.
I glance over my shoulder and notice the other diners must have already left during my exchange with Frederick and I’m now totally alone in the high-ceilinged dining room. Quickly scanning the menu, I opt for the enticing combination of Emmental cheese and stewed pear on fruit bread and wait for Frederick to reappear. As if by magic, he’s back beside me within seconds and as I relay my choice, he raises an eyebrow, seemingly impressed.
‘So what do you have planned for today?’ He seems rather disappointed when I stare at him blankly. ‘Zurich is a beautiful city that you should be out enjoying! It’s a beautiful day to take a cruise down the Limmat river and see views of the old town and city.’ He lowers his voice to a whisper. ‘Don’t sit in here too long. There’s so much else to see.’
River cruise. Now there’s a good suggestion. ‘That sounds good – I’ll look into it and I might do a little shopping too.’ At the mention of shopping, his face lights up and I finally get my confirmation that my suspicion is correct.
‘Oh, there’s no end to the fabulous shops here – especially on Bahnhofstrasse. My partner, Enriquo, works as an assistant at Cartier if you’re passing and thinking of buying anything.’
I stifle a snigger as I realise he’s very serious. I’d love to tell him that of course I’m going to be popping into Cartier for some new jewellery – I’m just waiting for my helicopter to arrive to collect me from lunch first. Still, at least I must look like I’m capable of buying nice things, even if the price of what is essentially a cheese and fruit sandwich has just given me a rude awakening. The problem is, once upon a time Jay would have treated me to such luxuries and our combined income meant I could often splurge on niceties. Now, what with living alone, my teaching salary just isn’t extendable to many luxuries. And I know life isn’t about handbags and watches, but I can’t help feeling like I’m missing out. I’m not living life to the max – I’m financially scraping by and that would be OK if I was enjoying it. But I realise with a jolt that the past hour and quarter since I landed in Zurich has been the most unscheduled excitement I’ve had in ages. And I want more of it.
‘I’ll make sure to keep an eye out for Enriquo as I’m passing,’ I say, knowing full well that there’s no chance I’ll be stepping inside the plush doors of Cartier anytime soon, unless my lottery numbers come up.
Frederick seems satisfied and nods, his dark lashes fluttering as he appears to consider an idea. Gosh, why does he have to be gay and taken? It’s not like I’d have been able to start a full-blown relationship with him what with me living in Essex and knowing precisely five words of high German, three of which are numbers. But as far as a little holiday fling goes … he would have been perfect. He goes to walk away and then stops and turns.
‘I’m going to Lugano tomorrow – it’s my day off. I’m visiting family there. It’s a place every tourist should see. You should check it out too.’
He’s looking at me keenly and despite having absolutely no idea where Lugano even is or whether Fred is a nutcase that could be planning to kidnap me and keep me as a sex slave, I nod my head in agreement.
‘Well, that would be fantastic if you don’t mind? Sure, I’d really like that.’
‘Huh?’ He looks at me blankly, before biting down on his bottom lip and pulling an awkward face. ‘Ooh, I see you … you thought…’ He lets the sentence linger and I feel my face flood with colour, a sickly feeling in the pit of my stomach. I burn with embarrassment as realisation hits. He totally wasn’t inviting me, was he? He was simply saying I should check it out.
His face creases into a warm smile and he claps his hands together. ‘But of course, you must come. It’ll be nice to have some company on the train.’
I know his overzealousness is purely to make me feel better for my humiliating