This last week I've been in London for a few days. Mostly when I need to stay overnight I'll stay with family in North London but on this occasion I needed to be more central/south. I racked my brain trying to think of who I knew who might put me up for a night or so and was thrilled to discover that the person I ended up asking was actually the administrator of the venue where I had my meetings!
I was given a piece of paper with scribbled map and directions and, at the end of the first evening, set off with a friend clutching the instructions busy chatting as we walked the 10-15 minutes to the nearest tube. It was only when I sat down in the station explaining to my companion that I was staying over night at a friends that I was alerted to the problem. My suitcase! I had safely tucked it away in a back room of the venue and had forgotten to collect it.
The prospect of no night clothes, tooth brush or clean underwear drove me to walk BACK 15 minutes to the venue hoping that someone would still be there. (I omitted to say that I was wearing killer stilettos and was NOT happy at the extra mileage.) The shops were shutting along the road by now as it was gone 10.30 pm and I had that heavy sense that everyone would have gone home. As I turned the corner with baited breath my senses were proved right. Darkness stared back at me through the glass entrance doors and all was still except for the flashing red security light ominously blinking as it guarded the sleeping building.
With aching feet and weary heart I made my way back to the station and concentrated on the directions which I happily discovered would lead me to the heart of Kensington. As I walked along the road my step began to lighten as I realised I would actually be staying in the grandest of accomodations! As I was greeted at the apartment entrance an expanse of corridor loomed before me and I was ushered into the depths of one of the biggest spaces I've ever been in with room after room opening up before me.
Ok! My breath might smell rank and I'd end up sleeping in nothing but Hey! the accomodation distracted me from any disappointment and as I sunk into the welcome mattress staring up at a chandelier I realised that life wasn't at all bad and went to sleep counting my blessings.
When I returned the next evening I made certain I remembered my 'revelation' suitcase.
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