"Lee, hi! I thought you might have decided not to come. Sorry about coming on to you last night by the way, I think I had one too many cocktails".
"That's okay. You're only human, and it's not your fault I'm irresistible".
"Ego much?"
"I thought you said I needed to be more confident".
"Touché. Anyway, I'm a bit embarrassed about last night today. I think I may have come across as a bit desperate".
"Nah, just horny. It's fine, all forgotten".
"Thanks".
Lee looked around him, taking in the large, plush interior of the hotel reception.
"This hotel is bigger than it looks on the outside. It's like a tardis".
"What on earth's a tardis?"
"Time and Relative Dimensions in Space".
"What does that even mean?".
"It's a spaceship, from Doctor Who".
"Doctor what?"
"Not Doctor What, Doctor Who".
"I'm assuming Doctor Who is some sort of TV show, one of these weird British sci-fi things you like".
"It's not weird, it's one of the best programmes on telly".
"I'll take your word for it. Anyway, let's go to my room".
Lee felt the keen eyes of the two receptionists on him as he followed Kate towards the hotel corridor. He looked behind him and saw them sniggering and whispering to each other. It made him feel like he was up to no good, like he and Kate were conducting a clandestine affair while their respective spouses carried on with their lives in blissful ignorance. He was sure that was what the receptionists were thinking, after all why else would someone take a man up to their hotel room during the afternoon. Well, to meet a mystery person in this case, he thought.
They stepped into the lift.
"Did you see those receptionists sniggering at us. I reckon they think we're having an affair...which floor?".
"Four. Yeah, probably, let them think what they like".
"I don't want them to think that, what if I see them when I'm out somewhere?"
When I'm with Lucy, he thought.
"They won't remember you, they see hundreds of poeple every day".
"They're probably sniggering because they're wondering what someone like you is doing with someone like me. He's punching, that's what they're thinking. Oh my God, they probably don't think we're having an affair, they probably think I'm a sleazy business man and I'm one of your paying...clients".
"Jeez thanks".
The lift came to a halt and the doors opened. Once again Kate led the way.
"I'm not saying you look like a hooker, well... not one of the ones that walks the streets, maybe one of those high class prostitutes that don't look like...oh God please stop me before the hole I'm digging gets any bigger and I fall in".
"Don't worry, I doubt they think you're a business man, not in those clothes. They're probably wondering how you can afford me".
"I deserved that I suppose, though personally I don't see what's wrong with wearing a t-shirt and cargos".
"There isn't, but business men usually wear suits, not t-shirts that say 'stand up if you love darts'".
"Here we are", Kate announced as they reached room 403. She took the keycard from her pocket and opened the door.
"I don't see anyone in here", Lee said, confused, as he scanned the room. He started to worry that Kate had made up the whole there's someone I want you to meet thing up as a ruse to get him to her hotel room.
"He's not not here yet, my sister's dropping him off in a minute".
"I'm confused, I thought you didn't have a boyfriend".
"I don't".
"So who's this man that's so special you want me to meet him...brother...brother in law? Is he famous or something? You said your sister's husband is a Hugh Grant type, is your sister actually married to Hugh Grant?"".
"No, he's not a man".
"What?"
"I have a son, Lee. I want you to meet my son".
"What?"
"I have a son...a child who is a boy".
"Wow, okay. I didn't expect that. I'm shocked, I mean maybe I should've guessed but..."
"I know, I don't seem like the maternal type right?"
"It's just when you said you were single, I assumed...where was he last night?"
"Staying at my sister's spending some quality time with his cousins before we head home. He's going to miss them loads. Do you want a drink Lee, tea coffee, something from the mini bar?"
"Erm, just a coke or something if there is one".
"One coke, coming up".
"So, I suppose I should say congratulations. Tell me about him"
"He's called Hunter"
"Unusual name, especially for the son of a vegan".
"It was my dad's middle name".
"Does Hunter have a father?"
"Obviously"
"I mean, on the scene?"
"No. Hunter's father doesn't know about his son".
"How come? Do you not know who the father is, or..."
"Stop right there sunshine. I know who the father is, he doesn't know because I didn't tell him".
"Oh, was it one of those sperm donor things because I know all about that now".
"How come? Have you finally turned your hobby into paid work? You didn't mention that last night".
"No, someone I know nearly went down that route that's all".
"Hunter wasn't conceived via a sperm donor. I just wasn't with the father when I found out I was pregnant. And for practical and other reasons I thought it was best I didn't tell him, that I should bring Hunter up on my own".
"He wasn't a boyfriend then?"
"No, someone I was close to".
"I'd say more than close but, anyway, how old is he? Baby? Toddler?"
"He's five".
"Five?"
"Yep"
"So, you had him not long after you left England?"
"Not long no".
"About nine months after?"
"Yes, something like that, give or take a few weeks...Lee?"
"Oh God, I don't think I'm ready to hear...I have to go, I'm sorry".
Kate had barely had time to realise where Lee's mind was going before he had leapt off the chair, bound across the room and slammed her hotel room door behind him.
She picked up her phone to call him but there was no answer, it just rang out.