I had been posted on Cyprus with the UK government for six months or so. I didn't get fixed holidays as such. I would get a call from HQ to say that things were 'quiet' and I would grab a few days in Europe. On one such trip I went north to Sweden and stayed on the lovely island of Gotland. It's not really like the rest of Sweden, having a rather exotic feel to it. The weather while I was there was good and I had a happy few days walking the remoter parts of the island, which can be reached by bus and I also took a boat trip to a small island called Stora Karlso. Anyway the one romantic encounter I had during my fourteen months in Europe occurred while I was staying on Gotland. I had found a comfortable hotel not far from the harbour in the island's capital, Visby. Visby itself is a lively, yet unspoilt, romantic location, with an almost complete mediaeval wall and a labyrinth of alley ways and little nooks and crannies.
It was on my second night; I had been for a beer and a sort of tapas. I entered the lobby to collect my room key. It was a bright reception area with a very new smell, where you could buy beer and there was a computer with free internet connection for guests.
As I entered I instantly noticed a fine-looking young woman of about 30 sitting by the window and using a lap top. She had a very professional look about her. She glanced up at me as I came in, but sort of looked through me as if deep in thought. I ordered a beer at the bar and fixed my gaze on her as I waited to be served. She looked up at me again. I made no attempt to look away and she tilted her head to one side and gave me a slightly reproachful look and returned to her lap top. She had an air of confidence about her. I guess she was used to men checking her out, but I imagine she was tired of nervous glances. I think women deserve their space and privacy and that includes not being leered at. However, this woman was quality, if you know what I mean and deserved more than a casual glance.
There was a television in the reception/bar and I sat down diagonally opposite the woman and switched it on to watch a European Soccer match that had just kicked off. The woman looked up and made a loud tutting noise and looked delightfully pissed off.
'Must you? I'm trying to concentrate on this.'
She pointed to something on her laptop. I was a little taken aback by her attitude, but close up, she was really quite hot and I was prepared to let her get away with it. She had shoulder-length, mousey blonde hair and bright green eyes. Her features were quite sharp, but classically pretty in a sexy way. She had a grey nylon top and grey, pin striped trousers. She didn't have big breasts from what I could tell - it's possibly the first thing men notice - but they seemed OK.
'Oh sorry, I can turn it down a bit?'
She shook her head.
'Hmph! I suppose so.'
'Look, sorry, we seem to have got off on the wrong foot here. Can I get you a drink?'
She looked suddenly brighter and nodded.
'OK thank you, a gin and tonic please. I won't be a minute.'
She got up and walked towards the ladies' room. I checked her out and was amazed by her absolute peach of an ass, which just wiggled perfectly in her trousers. I decided there and then that it was my duty to do anything I could to sleep with this woman.
She came back. She had spoken with a European accent but not one, which I could immediately identify. I didn't think she was Swedish. I put the drink down in front of her and sipped my beer. I moved my glass towards hers.
'Good health.' I said.
'Oh yes, cheers.'
We clinked glasses and I studied her as I took a draught of beer.
'Interesting?' I asked pointing to her laptop.
'Not really, frustrating really.'
'Oh might I ask why?'
'Yes, I am a TV producer and I'm looking for something typical of the area to go on the opening footage.'
'Oh, how about the Collared Flycatcher?'
'I beg your pardon?'
I knew a bit about birds and knew it was a special species, unique in Sweden to Gotland.
'The Collared Flycatcher breeds here but nowhere else in Sweden, it's like a sort of emblematic bird.'
'Oh indeed. I'll put it in a search engine. Collared?'
'Flycatcher.'
She looked impressed.
'Ah yes, sweet little black and white bird. I think I might go with that. Thanks.'
'My pleasure. Where are you from bye the way, you're not Swedish are you?'
'No, I'm from Holland near Amsterdam.'
Aah, Dutch, it's not an obvious accent is it?'
'Isn't it?'
'Well it's not one I hear much. What's the TV programme about?'
'I'm just researching it at the moment. It's about the life and culture of the island. I might have to include a little bit about the wildlife now!'
She smiled and crossed her legs. I got the impression her shoe was pointing towards me, which I read somewhere is a subliminal way that women use to say they want to fuck you. I certainly hoped so.
'Are you on holiday?' She asked.
'Yes, just a short break.'
'You're English.'
'Yes, but I'm living on Cyprus for the time being.'
'Oh work?'
'Yes.'
'What do you do?'
'I work for the UK government.'
'Ah a spy eh?'
'Not exactly.'
She sat up.