At the bar she dug into her shoulder bag for some cash and ordered a tonic with ice and lemon.

In response to the look the barman gave her, she said, ‘Alcohol makes me crazy. Too much too soon and I’ll be ripping off my clothes and dancing on the table tops before the night is over.’

The barman laughed, but someone behind her said, ‘Well, I for one don’t think that would be such a bad thing.’

Rosa turned and found herself looking into the smiling face of a stunning woman in a white blouse that hugged her slim form. She had fair hair cut in a boyish style and beautiful eyes under thick long lashes.

‘My name is Alice,’ she said. ‘As soon as you walked in I knew that I had to buy you a drink. And after what I’ve just heard I’m really hoping you’re going to let me.’

Rosa could not believe her luck. She’d struck gold with this pretty little thing and in record time.

‘I’m Maria,’ she said, pushing the fringe out of her eyes. ‘And of course you can buy me a drink but only if you allow me to buy the next one.’

Alice’s smile got wider and her white teeth positively sparkled.

‘Are you sure you don’t want a vodka with that tonic?’ she said.

‘I’m sure.’

Alice turned to the barman and said, ‘A tonic for this lovely lady and the usual for me, Henry,’ she said. ‘And you can put it on my tab.’

‘So you’re a regular here,’ Rosa said.

Alice nodded. ‘I work in London and I’m lucky enough to have my own flat here. But I’m guessing that this is your first visit to the Vichy Lounge.’

‘It’s my first visit to London,’ Rosa said.

‘Wow. From your accent I take it you’re Spanish.’

‘Mexican.’

‘Well, your English is perfect.’

‘I spent many hours studying,’ she said. ‘It’s a beautiful language.’

‘I’m glad you think so. But yours is so much more sexy.’

Rosa laughed. ‘So tell me about yourself, Alice. If we’re going to spend the rest of the evening together then I’d like to know more about you.’

Alice took a step closer to Rosa and touched her arm. Rosa felt her pulse quicken and she started to imagine Alice’s body up against her own. They were about the same height but Alice was less curvy with small, pert breasts and pale skin.

‘I’m twenty-four years old and work for my father’s advertising agency,’ Alice said. ‘I went with boys up until the age of nineteen and then realised why they never did anything for me in the sack. I’ve recently come out of a long-term relationship with a bitch who cheated on me and for the foreseeable future I plan on staying single and having a bloody good time.’