Roseanne stepped lightly as she wound her way through the twisty streets of Cordoba. It was early evening but the passageways still thronged with tourists here to see the dramatic carnival processions of Easter.
The cobbled streets threatened to break the heel on her heels and the donkeys left surprises everywhere. Whitewashed walls reflecting the suns heat and children darting through the crowds.
With a quick check of her phone, she turned down an even tinier passageway and found herself at a dead end. Broad wooden doors into her right were painted dark blue, just like he had said. a single yellow flower stood in a windowsill, all exactly as described.
it must be the place.
She knocked on the wood and then, embarrassed by her weediness, thumped it loudly with her fist. The noise was deep, rebounding, rather than echoing, and falling silent again. at the end if the alley a flash of noise as people passed and as she turned back, the door opened and there he was.
"Roseanne. I am thrilled you made it! Come through. come through."
She stepped through the thick door into an entranceway and from there he led her into a lounge or bar. Dark wood a natural antidote to the glare outside, cool tiles floor and low-strung armchairs. Somewhere she could hear a fountain babbling and in the corner an ornate gold drinks cabinet stocked with bottles of strong spirit.
"I managed to arrange time away, yes." She said simply.
"Meaning what? Your husband must notice you missing, no?"
"Unlikey. He and the kids have gone into the forest. A camp trip. I preferred to stay in the town." She flushed briefly red at her admittance.
"Well. this i did not expect. One hoped but not expected. It was such a delight to meet you in the Catedral. Quite the unusual atmosphere. It made us both... wonder, I think."
Again she reddened. A chance encounter, a bump as she had gazed upon an alter in the cathedral mosque that Cordoba is famous for had led to a conversation in which she rapidly felt herself spiralling down surrounded by God and depictions of power and gold in that strange dark, musty tomb.
"You, er, promised me a drink?" she managed.
"Indeed. I remember promising much more than that."
This time her breasts flushed with heat as well as her face.
**************
Time simultaneously stood still and sped up as they shared jerez and olives and cheese. Him talking animatedly about everything and her demurely responding.
