Читать книгу Funny, but True - - Страница 10

The time was fifteen minutes after 10 p.m. I stood near Victoria train station, unsure of what to do next. Somehow, I had gotten lost in the maze of London’s streets. Worst of all, she was standing right next to me. I could see the doubt on her face.

“Where did you bring me?” Helen asked.

“Helen, what a pleasant evening. Tomorrow, we can visit the Sky Garden at 20 Fenchurch Street and look at the stars in the sky!” I said and smiled broadly.

Then I explained that the Sky Garden is a three-story glass dome with observation decks and an open-air terrace. But inside, I felt foolish and confused.

“Yes, but right now, I can’t see any stars!” She replied.

Helen was right. Rain could start at any moment. How had I let this happen? Two days ago, in Moscow, before my flight to London, I had studied a map of the district where I had made a hotel reservation. According to the plan, it should have been a pleasant 15-minute walk from Hyde Park Corner Underground Station to the hotel. Five hours earlier, I had sat in a plane flying from Moscow to London, feeling intelligent, venturesome, and adaptable. A young woman had been sitting next to me by the window. Behind the window were clouds that looked like the towers of a fairytale castle. I struck up a conversation. She responded with a smile. Encouraged, I couldn’t stop talking. To my surprise, we used the same website to buy a ticket and, unbelievably, the same site to reserve a hotel. Twice, oh God, we had booked rooms in the same hotel!