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.'