Another week another hotel room. Travelodge in Birmingham this time not that different from the Manchester Piccadilly Travelodge I was in last week. Same beige walls same slightly lumpy bed same weak shower. Business travel is a repetitive beast.
I booked Sophie through an agency this time. Met her in the hotel bar around 8 which always feels a bit nerve wracking even though Ive done this dozens of times. Shes younger than my usual type maybe early 30s slim dark hair really nice smile. We had a drink first which helps take the edge off. Small talk about nothing much.
The loneliness of these trips gets to me sometimes. Divorced now for two years and the hotel rooms just blend into each other. Sophie was good company. Professional but not cold. Asked about my sales work listened when I rambled a bit about my last client meeting. Sometimes thats what I miss most just having someone actually listen.
Im not gonna go into graphic details cos thats not really my style. But it was good. Reminded me Im still alive I suppose. Still human underneath all the sales targets and motorway miles.
Expense account covers the hotel. Agency fee comes out of my own pocket. But honestly its worth it. Better than another night staring at shit TV in a generic room feeling sorry for myself.