Katy Colins - Destination Chile

‘One programme that has been the talk of the boardroom is called Wanderlust Warriors .’ He paused, presumably to build drama. ‘This show that’s got everyone buzzing in the office is actually inspired by you and Ben.’

‘Wait, what?’ I looked up from the growing wet patch I’d created, causing more damage than good, to catch his eyes that had creased into a genuine smile while waiting for my reaction. Rahul laughed at what must have been the most idiotic, blank expression I was rocking on my face.

‘I may have told you a little white lie earlier. I’ve known how well Lonely Hearts is doing because my team have been watching you grow, especially since that piece in the Daily Times .’

‘What are you on about, watching us?’

He held his palms up. ‘Don’t look at me like that! Not in a weird sense. Just that because of your success story there has been talk of putting together a show that documents couples who work together in or around the travel industry who are poised to become the next big thing in the industry. A sort of inspirational piece that looks at the highs and lows of managing a business and a relationship at the same time, mixed with globetrotting.’ He took a long sip of his drink. ‘And you and Ben were the reason for this idea, the spark that started it all.’

‘Oh, right, okay, cool.’ I felt myself blushing. I’d never been called inspirational before.

‘The show will not only be about mixing work and pleasure but also about how travel has impacted these couples’ lives, as the contributors all work in the travel industry or use travel a lot for work reasons.’ He paused to flash a genuine smile to the waitress who placed our plates in front of us and shimmied off, obviously for Rahul’s benefit but it had been lost as he was currently making love with his eyes to the hunk of red meat on his plate.

‘Sounds exciting!’ I smiled at him. ‘Wow, this food looks amazing.’

‘I know! Right, let me get to my point.’ He pulled his eyes away from the delicious-smelling dead cow and back to my face. ‘So, where was I? Oh yeah, the show will also follow this travel theme as the filming is going to take place in South America, Chile specifically, I think.’

‘Ooh wow. When will it be on? I hardly ever watch telly these days but that sounds right up my street.’

Rahul flicked his head back and let out a light laugh. ‘Georgia. You won’t just get to watch it ; we want you and Ben to be on it .’

‘Wait, what?’ The chunky chip I’d speared on my fork paused just before my open mouth.

‘They want you, along with three other couples, to take part. You get an all-expenses-paid trip just speaking to the camera about how you manage your work and relationship. Plus, there’s a cash prize up for grabs at the end of it all for taking part in some fun games along the way!’

I started to laugh. ‘Hahaha, funny. Oh. Wait. You’re serious?’

His face had dropped as if he didn’t get the joke.

‘Rahul. You’re serious? You want Ben and me to be on the telly?’

Rahul nodded. I stopped fanning my hands in front of my face and choked down the giggles.

‘Er, I really don’t know.’

‘Think about the publicity this could drum up for The Lonely Hearts Travel Club! I can see the headlines now…. Wanderlust Warriors Take On The World.’

That did sound pretty good, to be fair.

‘Georgia, your story is really inspiring, how you have turned a negative experience into a hugely positive one, and found love and a cracking business model along the way. Ever since that article you’ve been the talk of the industry and people want to know the secret to your success.’

I scoffed without thinking. ‘There is no secret. Hard work, determination and sacrifice is what it’s taken,’ I said quietly, thinking back to when Ben and I had nearly lost everything – including each other – when Serena stole from us and the Indian tour looked like it was about to ruin us.

‘Exactly. But people love to hear stories like this; sometimes good news does sell. Trust me. Plus, it means you both get to go to South America, which is such a stunning part of the world. Have you even been away as a couple yet?’

I shook my head thinking about the couple’s holiday idea that Marie and Shelley had suggested. ‘Hmm, well what would we need to do? Hypothetically speaking, of course.’ Oh my God, was I even entertaining this idea? Ooh, I wondered if there would be a hair and make-up artist included.

‘Of course, hypothetically speaking.’ He pressed his hand to his broad chest and winked. ‘Well, the first thing would be to get both of you to London where the head office is for pre-filming interviews. That’s where you’d meet the producers in charge of the show, find out some more about the concept, get to know the other couples and decide if you’re up for it or not.’

I thought this all over as I chewed on a chip. ‘Do you know who the other couples are?’

He shook his head. ‘Don’t think they’ve been confirmed. I know that you and Ben are top of the list because you were the inspiration behind the show, but there’s a long list of potential contributors as it’s such a great premise. That’s why I needed to see you today and to let you know to act fast if you think you and Ben would be up for it. Also, have you not seen the weather here? If someone was giving me the option of jetting off to the sun, all for free, with my partner, well I wouldn’t have to think twice.’

He had a point. This storm Bertha was beginning to get to me. What he was proposing sounded too good to be true. An all-expenses-paid trip to South America in return for doing some interviews, probably on a white sandy beach or while taking a salsa class. Ooh, I wondered if I could wear a flamenco dress, and I could so see Ben dressed as a hunky Latino stallion. Minus the heavy gold chains and love-rug chest hair.

‘Well, why don’t you have a word with Ben and then let me know?’

I nodded slowly. ‘Yeah, all right.’

‘Ace. Right, now leave me in peace to give this meat the attention it deserves.’

After finishing our plates, both of them almost licked clean, Rahul got up from his seat and nodded to the lingering young waitress so that he could pay for our lunch. Amazingly, it seemed like big Bertha had gone for a nap as even the heavy dark clouds had floated off slightly.

‘Have a think about everything and give me a call, Georgia,’ he said, before gently kissing me on the cheek and filling my nose with his expensive-smelling aftershave. ‘You more than anyone should know that you have to say yes to things in this life. I honestly think this would be the ideal chance to grab an opportunity that hardly anyone gets offered.’

I nodded distractedly.

‘Right, I’d better be off. Call me as soon as you’ve decided.’ With that we said our goodbyes and he headed off in the opposite direction.

I was just about to make my way back to the office when I realised that I’d left my umbrella in the restaurant. Even though the downpour had stopped, I didn’t trust my chances that the heavens wouldn’t open once more. I turned to head back inside when I saw that right next door was an art gallery.

Large colourful canvases hung in the windows lit by uplighters that brought to life the bright swirls of yellow and orange paint of the stunning paintings. The main three pieces of art were clearly from a collection by the same artist. One was a painting of a wrinkled and grinning old woman in Peru with a chubby arm casually slung around a gurning llama; another was a close-up of a glamorous, busty lady with an incredible afro shaking what her mother gave her at Rio Carnival, wearing a barely there but intricately beaded costume in the colours of a peacock feather; and the third and the largest was of a city scene that appeared to be made of bright and wonky Playmobil buildings, tagged in graffiti print ‘Valparaíso, Chile’.