Kira and Faye are very excited that I’m going to spend the day with Ty. I insist it’s as friends, and Kira says something about romantic gestures, which I ignore. Plus, I get a text from Ollie that he’s on his way down south. I don’t tell him I’m spending my day with Ty. I feel bad about it, but I don’t want him reading too much into it.
‘What exactly are we doing?’ I say, as the train finally pulls into London Bridge.
‘We are going to live my best British tourist life,’ he says, getting up.
‘Isn’t it my birthday?’ I laugh.
‘Hey, you can live your best British tourist life too,’ he says. He looks down at me. ‘Unless you have anything you want to do. We can do whatever you want.’
I stand up. ‘No, let’s see what your plan involves.’ I pause. ‘Plus I’ve not really done most of the touristy stuff since I was a kid.’
‘So, where’s the bridge?’ says Ty.
‘Erm, not really sure,’ I say.
‘Don’t you live here?’
‘No, I live in Croydon. The same as you. A suburb of London. Do you know every part of San Francisco?’
‘I would be able to tell you where the Golden Gate Bridge is.’
‘Oh come on,’ I say, marching on ahead.
We skirt past tourists and families, and I see an exit sign pointing towards London Bridge.
‘What’s the matter?’ I say, looking behind to see Ty, dashing up to me.
He looks out of breath. ‘There’s so many people,’ he says.
‘This?’ I say, looking around. ‘This isn’t even rush hour. People aren’t even going to work now.’
‘It’s still busy!’ he says.
‘Is this your first time into London? You’ve been here three months!’
‘I’ve been busy, you know, adjusting to the move.’ He looks abashed. ‘That’s why I thought this was a good excuse. It’s a good reason to go in, for your birthday.’
‘Isn’t San Francisco a city?’
‘Yeah, but not like this, Selena. This is one of the biggest cities in the world. San Francisco is slightly bigger than Croydon.’
I shake my head. ‘Well, I’m looking forward to giving you the full London experience. Come on, let’s find your bridge.’
A few moments later we are at the bridge.
‘Is this it?’ says Ty, as we look at the slab of concrete in front of us. He takes a few photos with his camera, which is slung around his neck and held protectively every time it’s not in use.
‘What were you expecting?’ I say, trying to hold back my laughter.
‘I thought it was meant to be like, a thing?’ he says, jabbing his hand towards the bridge. ‘This is meant to be one of the best cities in the world, and that’s London Bridge.’
‘Maybe you were thinking of another bridge,’ I say, trying again not to lose composure, while glancing behind him. ‘How about that one there,’ I say, pointing over his shoulder.
He spins around. ‘Oh,’ he says.
He’s looking at Tower Bridge, with its ornate towers, blue-iron structure and famous pull-up bridge.
‘Are you sure that’s not London Bridge?’ he says.
