And a couple of bloody big surprises.
‘I don’t get it, darling. Do you?’ Little Steve pouts at Big Steve, and Big Steve shakes his head. ‘The weather’s a bitch today. Who’d want to walk in that crap?’ He waves a hand at the window, and then he begins to bounce around on the sofa, clapping again like an over-excited sealion. ‘Good God, I’ve just realised something. This is the first time you two have been here together since … well, just after you met.’
I think back to that first time, and Dan’s unexpected appearance.
‘Do you remember what you said?’ Little Steve asks Dan.
‘Of course I do,’ he answers quickly, sliding a hand around my back. ‘I always get what I want in the end.’
Oh yes, you do, I muse silently, planting a kiss on his lips.
And maybe a little extra on the side …
A taxi drops us off outside Lambeth House.
‘Are you sure about this?’ Dan asks. ‘It’s about to piss down.’
‘I want a walk.’
And we need to be at our destination within the next half an hour.
‘I’ll get an umbrella.’
‘No.’ I grab hold of his arm. There’s no time for that. We’re cutting it fine as it is. ‘We’ll be okay.’
‘We’ll be wet.’
‘I don’t care.’
He shakes his head at me.
‘Your future wife gets what your future wife wants,’ I remind him. ‘And right now, she wants a walk.’
With a sigh of resignation, he holds out a hand, palm upwards. ‘Come on then. A walk, it is.’
Beneath a leaden sky, we make our way down the South Bank, passing the first bridge and skirting along the side of Lambeth Palace. It’s not until we’ve crossed the road at Westminster Bridge that the crowds really show up in force. The Eye’s looming in front of us now, a circle of steel, turning relentlessly, swallowing up a seemingly endless supply of eager tourists. Still holding Dan’s hand, I pull to a halt and look up, involuntarily putting my free hand to my stomach, sensing that its contents are already beginning to swirl. It’s okay, I tell myself silently. I can do this. And besides, it’s all planned. There’s no turning back.
‘What’s the matter?’ he asks.
I nod up at The Eye.
‘Big round thing,’ I stammer. ‘Fancy a ride?’
‘In that? You’ll have a meltdown.’
‘No, I won’t.’ I swallow hard, determined to stand my ground. ‘I want to go on it.’
‘Maya.’ He’s trying to be understanding. I know he is. But there’s a hint of exasperation in his voice. ‘Gibb’s lighthouse was one thing. This is another. You’ll be trapped in there for at least an hour.’
‘Actually, it’s half an hour,’ I reply, my knees already threatening to give way. ‘I can deal with it. I want to do this, Dan. In fact …’ I pull a piece of paper out of my coat pocket. ‘I’ve booked us a private capsule.’
He frowns.
‘Are you mad?’
‘Possibly.’ I wave the paper about. ‘I got lucky. There was a cancellation. It cost an arm and a leg.’
‘Maya …’
‘I want to face my fears, Dan, and I want to do it in style. No arguments.’
He squeezes my hand.
‘Fruitcake.’
‘You’re one to talk.’
I lead him through the crowds, up a set of steps to the VIP entrance. With the ticket checked, we’re scanned by security guards, Dan grumping when he sets off an alarm, and he’s forced to show the scars on his leg. Finally, we’re guided to a short queue. Listening to the hubbub of voices around me, I shuffle nervously from one foot to the other. I’ve fulfilled my part of the plan, and now I need to know my accomplice has followed suit.
‘Just a minute,’ I mutter. ‘Wait here.’
‘What?’
‘Wait.’
Leaving him in the queue, I head back to the VIP gate, scanning the crowds for one face in particular, and thankfully finding it. I issue a particular set of orders to the security guard before returning to Dan’s side.
‘What was that all about?’ he asks, perplexed.
‘I just wanted to know how fast it goes.’
‘Isn’t it obvious?’
I shrug and slip into silence. Before long, we’ve reached the front of the queue. Our capsule arrives, the door slides open, disgorging its previous occupants, and I stare straight ahead into what’s to all intents and purposes, an egg. I swallow, realise my mouth has dried up, and look at Dan. Ignoring everything else, he’s fixed on me.
‘You don’t have to do this.’
‘I want to.’
There’s a woman in front of us now. She’s motioning towards the egg, urging us in, and it’s clear we need to be quick about it.
Breathe, I urge myself. Just bloody well breathe.
‘Get behind me. Put your arms around me, like you did at the lighthouse.’
He nods, and does as he’s told.
‘Now, get me in that pod.’
Quickly, he manoeuvres me forward, across the threshold, into the capsule, and then down to the far end. Suddenly, I’m surrounded by glass. I’m about to be totally exposed to the height. My heart rate’s already on the rise, and there’s a distinct possibility I might just vomit, but I’ll keep this under control if it kills me. Unsteady on my feet, I pivot round in his arms and clamp my hands to his back.
‘Just stay like this.’
His eyes settle on mine. I hear a soft thud, the door closing, and then it’s quiet, the sound of the crowd muted. I’m sorely tempted to glance over his shoulder, but I can’t. I need to keep his attention fixed on my face.
‘Okay.’ I swallow again. ‘Keep holding me. Don’t let go. Keep looking at me. Stay right where you are.’
Because I’ve been the queen of sneaky, and the last thing I
