Checked for spelling and continuity: April 4, 2011.
Chapter Fifty: Just A Walk in the Park
It was Friday morning. As London awoke, Katrin enjoyed breakfast at a cafe on the banks of the Thames. Savoring her cup of tea, she gazed out the window, amusing herself with made-up conversations for the people who walked by. Absentmindedly, her foot wagged back and forth, the only betrayal of a restless mind.
The bell on the door tinkled, announcing a new customer. Lost in thought, Katrin did not notice as the newcomer peered around the room and, sighting upon the young woman by the window, walked over to her table.
"Morning." The voice interrupted her musings and Katrin looked up, grinning.
"It worked!" She had called and left a message the night before letting him know what her plans would be for the day. But since she had not mobile phone of her own, there was no way for Bill to get in contact with her in return. "I wasn't sure that we'd manage once I started a tourism run."
Bill sat in the chair across from Katrin. "Neither was I, actually. That's why I planned to catch you while you were still here."
"How did your meeting go?"
"Fairly well, actually. Wasn't quite in and out, but there was very little hassle or delay or anything. Unfortunately, it looks like it was only the first of a couple, if not several, more. It won't really kick off for a few days, but I will definitely be needed at the office now and again until then."
"Bummer..."
He sighed. "I'm sorry about all this. I hope it wont make a mess of your vacation."
Katrin grinned, unconcerned. "Actually, not at all. After wandering around all day yesterday I came to a conclusion."
Bill waited expectantly until it became evident that she was waiting for a response. "And what, pray, might that be."
"I rather like it here. And two weeks just is not enough!"
"So... you are going to extend your vacation?" He was not quite sure what she was getting at.
"Not exactly." Katrin pushed her teacup out of the way to lean on the table. "Sightseeing yesterday on my own was interesting and all. But I decided its much more fun when you have someone to share it with. And after thinking a little, I figured you'd be rather occupied with work considering how suddenly things have come up. So the only solution would be to stay longer until I feel like not staying any more. That way we can do fun things when you're available."
"That's great!" Bill could not hold back his enthusiasm. "But I sense there's more to your plan than meets the eye. What will you do when you're on your own?
"Busk!"
Bill blinked. "Pardon?"
"Busk. Street performance." When she clarified her meaning, understanding fell on Bills face. "I've actually given this quite some thought. I'll have to pay for my stay somehow. So why not utilize my skills? It'll give me something productive to do while you're at work and I'll be able to stay for however long! I just have to figure out what sort of licensing is required here in London and I'm good to go. And," she was getting more excited as she went on, "if you find out you'll be unavailable for a couple of weeks time, I'll see about hopping over to the continent for a bit and having a go there!"
He could not help but smile at her enthusiasm. "It sounds very... bohemian."
She grinned back. "Thats what my family often says. In any case, well still get our two weeks of vacation," or longer... maybe... "however long it takes."
"Perfect. But you'll have to wait another day because I am free until tomorrow. So what's the schedule? Sticking to your original plan or shall we wing it?"
"Hmm..." Katrin pondered for a moment. "First, you should eat if you haven't yet. And then, how about an exploration of Kensington Gardens, and possibly a venture into Hyde Park should time permit?"
"Sounds like a plan!"
"My word, they're completely insane," Katrin muttered to her companion.
"Which ones?" Bill responded under his breath. "The squirrels, or the people feeding them?"
The companions were standing at the beginning of a fairly well hedged and fenced path near the Albert Memorial. The map called it the South Flower Walk, which had a nice ring to it and inspired the desire for exploration. Looking down, they could see slightly secluded benches every so often and on some of the benches within sight sat an assortment of people. They were holding an assortment of snacks, from bagged peanuts to carrot sticks, and were hand-feeding the squirrels.
Or, at least, attempting to feed the squirrels.
Some of the squirrels were bold. They sat right next to the feeders waiting for the next hand out. Some of the squirrels were not so bold, remaining far enough away to run at the slightest sign of a threat.
Then there were the mocking squirrels. The squirrels who sat on the other side of the fence, just out of reach of the woman who was on her hands and knees making kissy noises in an attempt to lure the squirrels to the peanut held between her fingers.
"Um, I'll have to go with the people feeding the squirrels. The squirrels seem to have the control in this situation."
"True. True." They fell silent, eating their ice cream cones and watching the drama unfold between man and squirrel.
"You know, part of me would like to go through, wander around Kensington Gardens for a bit. But I'm a bit nervous about this rather odd gauntlet we would have to pass through."
"Again, true. How about we go back to the water and watch the boats?"
Katrin eyed a squirrel who was slowly making its way toward them, one hop at a time. "Um... Sure, whatever. But I think we need to get away from this path before I join the squirrel people."
"Eh?"
She pointed. "If I didn't know better, I would swear that critter is mischievously eyeing my ice cream." She took another bite, almost spitefully, before hooking her free arm through Bill's and dragging him away at high speed.
In minutes, the pair laughingly ran to some grass overlooking the water and promptly collapsed. Bill wadded up his paper napkin and tossed it into the trash bin a several feet away.
"Hm." Katrin was nibbling the end of her cone, eyeing the same trash bin.
"Yes?" asked Bill. "Thinking of taking aim yourself?"
"Not really. I was merely pondering whether it was far enough away that if I told you I didn't think you could do it again that it would be a true challenge." She grinned at him, cheekily.
Bill chuckled, then spent several minutes contemplating the trash bin himself. When he looked back at Katrin, he was unsurprised to find her eyes glittering with amusement. "See, now I have to try, true challenge or not because-"
"You're male," she finished for him. "You forget, I am a sister of brothers. I know how this works."
"Right. But if I make it, and it isn't a true challenge, then I'm showing off for the sake of showing off not showing off for the sake of winning. And if I miss, and it isn't a true challenge, then I'm just, well..."
"Lame?" she offered. "Once again, I am a sister of brothers. I know how this works."
"And I cannot really challenge you to do it for that would defeat the purpose, and my manliness would come into question."
Katrin erupted into a fit of giggles.
"Hm. And now I begin to suspect that this was all some evil plot from the beginning. Perhaps even upon the purchasing of the ice cream and selecting of paper napkins did this scheme come into play."
She giggled even harder. When she finally could edge in a word, she asked, "What makes you think that?"
"Well," Bill said knowingly, "I have had my fair share of encounters with the wickedness that is the Female Conniving Spirit." He nodded, solemnly, as if to enforce his point.
"Not because of your sister, surely?"
Katrin's eyes were shining at him with curiosity and joy; Bill had to take a moment to catch his breath. "Nah. There's too much of an age difference for that. She's more likely to terrorize Ron. I did, however, spend seven years of my young life away at a boarding school living with those heathen spirits just a hallway away."
"Poor you." Her grin turned toward mischief. "I'm amazed you survived puberty."
"There are days," he deadpanned, "that I am, as well."
Katrin rolled her eyes with a chuckle and peered the water. "Hm. Not much in the way of boats, really."
Bill followed her gaze. "No, not really. I give you a choice then. We can either wait here in hopes one or four will drift by, or we can keep wandering."
"Why do I have to make all the decisions?"
"You're the one who is visiting."
"Good point. Then I say we wander. There are still plenty of gardens within the gardens, and I do want to find the Peter Pan statue."
Bill stood, offering a hand to Katrin. "As the lady commands!" he proclaimed. Katrin perused the little map in the guide book as he looked at her askance.
Looking up, she blinked at his expression. "Um, what'd I do?"
"What? Oh, nothing... its just..." he thought about making something up, but decided to just go ahead and ask. If he looked like an ignorant Muggle, well, since he rather was he would just have to deal with it. Hopefully she won't abandon me and someday will understand... "Who is this Peter Pan person, and why does he have a statue?"
Katrin blinked again. "You don't know the story of Peter Pan?"
Bill blushed. "Well, no. I guess I had an... odd upbringing."
This time, it was Katrin who blushed. "Oh, I didn't mean... I mean, its just surprising because its such a classic British story. I wasn't judging or anything..." She trailed off.
There was a brief, awkward silence. Finally, Bill shrugged and sighed dramatically. "I suppose Ill never know the story, though, if you will not tell me about it."
Katrin took one look at his determinedly forlorn expression and grinned again. Hooking his arm once more, she handed him the book and pointed to a spot on the map. "Okay, but you're navigating. So, there's this girl named Wendy and she has two brothers, Michael and John..."
"So he he stays young and she is all grown up?"
"Yep."
There was silence as Bill contemplated this. They were sitting at the Orangery ending their late lunch with tea and cakes. "And this is a children's story?" Katrin nodded. "That's kind of depressing."
"Well, yeah," Katrin agreed. "Still, it's one of those classic coming-of-age tales that has made an impact on thousands. And there's something charming about staying a child forever, you know?"
"Carefree and without troubles," Bill agreed, wistfully. "Well, except for all that odd business with Captain Hook."
"Naturally! Gotta love the pirates."
"Seriously? Aren't pirates bloodthirsty savages who plunder, pillage, and murder?" Bill looked stumped.
"Well... I guess historically speaking you could say that. But that's a rather simplistic and one-sided view of the matter. But I'm talking about the romanticized version of pirates. The Golden Age, as it were. Sailing the seven seas, hunting for treasure, battles against the unjust rules of the British Empire. Er," she looked at him sideways, "No offense."
Just how much did they not cover in Muggle Studies? "None taken."
"Ok, good. Besides, pirates have that whole 'bad boy' thing going for them. Thrills and giggles is what those piratey types offer. Or so I hear." She gave him a superior, knowing look.
"I'm not sure I want to know more."
Katrin grinned. "There are pirates at most of the festivals I've been to. I've heard stories." She paused to consider a moment. "Although, given the circumstances, I suppose I should say 'tall tales'." She giggled at her own joke.
Bill shook his head. "Exactly how much sugar did you put in your tea?"
Katrin just giggled more.
