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Not to be a privileged baby, I mean to add, because it’s only Day One. Just… I had clung to the idea of solo-travel as a way to burst out of my Pollywood cocoon and so far I’ve not done bursting, but more lingering, and stripped of my social circle and familiar surroundings, I’m afraid that I’ve not got much to offer. Not that I want to believe that, but having only a few weeks to prove otherwise is more weight than liberation right now.
Instead of all that confession, I square my shoulders until they strain.
“How do you want this trip to go?” Huan wonders.
Is he making small talk as we stand here? He can’t truthfully care.
Ignoring the question, I say, “I think humping the sides of the Gherkin makes more sense. Not to state the obvious, but insertion is impossible even for society’s wide-eyed dreamers.”
He stifles a chuckle. “If anyone could figure out logistics, it would be you.”
“Hm.” At least someone finds me amusing. Not that it counts when it’s my bodyguard. Trying to remain miserable, I look around. “The walking tour has officially abandoned us.”
He points to the road. “I looked up the route last night. I know where they’ll end up so we can catch up.”
The alternative is a deeper session of brooding, and I know logically I shouldn’t give up, so I follow along. He leads us to Leadenhall Market, a stunning structure of Victorian design. As we enter the elaborate market, I quickly spot the group. Getting closer, I hover around the edges and crane my ears to hear the guide’s comments. It’s so loud in here, I catch only a few words. Getting closer feels impossible, and I still can’t hear properly no matter how I circle around the group.
After a few tries, I slink backwards, frowning.
“Did you know the Leadenhall Market was used as a film location for the first Harry Potter film?” Huan whispers to me.
I glance up at the complicated wrought iron supporting the domed ceiling. Then I look around at how gorgeously the greens, maroons, and cream colours around us pair together. Below my feet, charmingly cobbled floors make it feel as if I've transported back into simpler times.
“It was also victim to the Fire of London, but was rebuilt and expanded afterwards. Now it has a bunch of shops and bars you can explore.”
I stare at him. “You studied the stops before going on a walking tour meant to teach you about the stops?—”
“—to assess the security risk.”
“Your verdict?”
“High in terms of being out in the open. Low in terms of?—”
“No one knows me enough to care?”
“I should stick close either way.” He shifts me away from the path of a barrelling stroller with a nudge. “For you seem to attract moving objects.”
“Hey,” I say, fighting back annoyance. “I’m not a hapless heroine where clumsiness is a quirky part of my personality. Even if I’ve got a wonky sense of my surroundings, bumps andbruises will not kill me. I don’t need rescuing.Rememberwhat we agreed upon. Follow me if you must, but don’t interfere.”
“Hapless? I don’t think of you like that.”
“Great.Good.”
I see an opening in the group that is close to the uni students. I rush away from Huan to take a position beside them.
The tour guide is talking.
“… this tour is free, but graciously funded by your tips, as this is my full-time job. Our company takes some of these earnings, but the rest go towards helping me share my knowledge and love of the city with more wonderful people like you.”
Around me, people pull out cash. I watch the guide go from person-to-person as they compliment and pay him for his services. The Italian family is very generous.
Me, I’m doing the patting-my-pockets-dance, coming to the terrible conclusion that I’ve got no cash, and he is seconds away. Gods, I can’t be both cheapanda sex pest in front of everyone!
As he stops in front of me, I open my purse and pull out my wallet. “Do you take card?”
He blasts me with a harsh look.
“I hadn’t known about this part,” I confess weakly.
