Miss Shaw and Miss Gardner are looking forward to a peaceful rest. They have been doing their best to sleep in their third-class seats, but the war has made it impossible. Connections are sometimes it is hours in between while other times it is a race to catch a train.
After leaving Paris instead of going through Switzerland the train diverted along the German border, the two kept their heads. In quite tones they agreed to keep calm and stay the course. The train stopped seven times. Each stop a German soldiers would request passports, papers and ask questions.
"There is a war going on. It is not a good time to take a holiday. Why are you going to see such things?"
Miss Gardner simply replies, "That is why we want to see it now. A bomb could turn everything to gravel." Miss Shaw would nod her head in agreement with her excited puppy dog eyes.
Each one would respond in their native tongue verrückte Frauen, dummes Kind even törichte Mädchen. It irritated Miss Gardner and Miss Shaw would simply remind her Allie, "Let them think of us as idiots instead of an enemy or item of desire."
"I don't mind them calling me stupid, nobody calls my Tori dumb or a child."
"I feel the same way. What you think of me is more important than any man, woman or soldier. Unless secretly you feel I am just a child?"
Allie blushes at the comment and responds in soft tones, "You are not and I love your mind."
Without looking into her lover's eyes Tori smiles, "Good, now let's rest before the next reizt soldat bothers us again."
They kept to their roles the entire train ride along the German border.
Saturday evening Miss Shaw consults with the small Innsbruck parish for camping permission. They set up their tent using the canvas, walking sticks and rope. Finally the two take a breath of familiarity to gather thoughts, agenda and expenses.
Tori explains as Allie writes in the travel journal. "We have given the parish a 10p donation. I was told we can't build a fire or leave any rubbish. At least we have privacy. A room at the inn would have cost us over ten sterling. The wine, bread and butter cost us 50p."
"The only issue is ... I am not interested in carrying a half bottle of wine. We will need to drink it all before Monday."
"I am up for the challenge," Tori offers with a smile.
"How are you holding up? Is travelling everything you expected?" Allie looks into Tori's eyes to evaluate her words and expression for a full understanding.
"We are working, but all this rushing through countries. No stopping, appreciating or sightseeing ... it is quite frustrating." Tori replies with a bit of sadness.
"I must confess I am also frustrated.." Allie takes her Tori's hand. "In the future we shall take as much time as you want in each city. We shall read every notice, visit every site and take as many tours as you desire."
"It is knowing how close we are to artwork, statues and other cultural items ... yet we need to keep moving."
"Tori, have you ever been out of London?"
She shakes her head no.
"Neither have I. Why don't we see the sites within reach. There is Ireland, Scotland and Wales." Allie flips through her travel journal, "In Ireland there is a stone, according to legend, kissing the stone endows the kisser with the gift of gab."
"Oh dear, I better keep you away from the stone. You might end up buzzing like a bee."
"Would you rather I be more quiet?"
"You are so quiet at work and then you come home like letting air out of balloon."
"I am sorry, I didn't know."
"Don't change. My home, our home, has never been so alive. Besides, just like a balloon, all the air leaves and you give me peace and quiet. I do cherish our reading together."
"I do too. I promise when we get back home I will be courteous with my zealous conversations."
"Please be patient with me. I have been prepared to live a spinster's life alone with my books and travel. Now my life is changed ... and the improvements are most amazing. I find you not only refreshing but I shall never grow tired of you speaking to me. It is not as if you are talking for the sake of hearing your own voice. You truly want to share with me, why would I want that to stop?"
"I take your needs seriously." Allie smiles, "I suspect I shall never change, but I can tweak my personal habits. I have given up many years ago to have my parent's eyes. There are too many siblings who fight and claw for their attention. Now I have someone who sincerely and freely pays attention to me ... why would I not take advantage? I shall be more cautious."
"It is getting late and soon we will shall have only the moonlight. We better eat and get to sleep. Tomorrow we might explore. I want to take full advantage."
"Yes, but let us make sure there isn't a train going to Italy. I want our exploration to be guilt-free."
Tori nods as she thinks to herself, 'my Allie is the best mixture of adventure and responsibility. I am lucky."
"Tori." Allie touches her hand, "You can share with me."
"I was just thinking how lucky I am to have you."
"It wasn't luck that brought us together. You, as you say, became brave. I am the lucky one."
They slept through the cold night with the help of wine and keeping close.
Sunday morning came with cloudy skies and the constant threat of rain. It didn't matter to the travelling duo after being assured, by the ticket office, there will be no train travel south until Monday morning. They took in as much as their intellects and eyes were able to register.
Monday morning they were back on the rails, zipping through town after town. The further they travel towards Italy the more stressful the train ride. "I fear going back might be more difficult. What are our options?"
Allie opens her notes and small map. She lays it down for both to see.
"If we go to western shore of Italy we have more options. Catch a boat ..." as Allie points to the map "here ... here or here."
"That is plenty of walking."
"We can do it!" Allie looks to Tori with confidence.
"The question is; how fit is Mrs Fiona?"
After leaving 15 Savile Row Miss Shaw and Miss Gardner were excited at the prospect of seeing other countries. Tori and Allie look over their shared bed covered with items to pack.
"Oh my dear, this is too much. We need to figure this out."
"Essentials only? But how do we decide?"
"Food we can split between knapsacks. Shall dress like Heidi?"
"I don't believe that is a good idea. We are not heading towards a destination. We are returning, we don't know is Fiona can carry her own things."
"What do we do without?"
The two aggressively removed redundant items, trimming down to bare necessities and evaluating single purpose items. The stand back and look at their work.
"I believe we have nothing left to discard."
Tori pulling her Allie close, "I believe so."
The next morning they arrive at 15 Savile Row with one knapsack a piece with a rolled item on the bottom and each have a rolled canvas on the top.
Now the two at standing on a crowded station waiting for the southbound rail. "Allie, please stay close. I don't want to lose you."
Allie quickly tethers herself to Tori's knapsack. "I will always be behind you."
The train enters the station, the doors open and instantly the crowd descends into the rail cars. Tori is doing her best to lead, the rope isn't enough. She puts her hand out and waits, soon the familiar warmth is locked and they bully through until they find two seats next to each other.
Tori leans in and whispers, "Yes, we need an alternative. Everyone is going south. We shall certainly stand out returning the way we came."
Almost two days later, they arrive ... Bari, Italy.
The only expense is the taxi ride to Ospedale San Paolo. They go through the front doors and ask to see "Dr. Flint-Saint Clair" the administration just offer blank stares. Allie tries another approach, "Scottish Capelli Rossi Dottore".
"Ahhh! Capelli Rossi Dottore" The lead nurse makes a phone call as she points to empty seats. Miss Shaw and Miss Gardner sit and wait.
Thirty minutes later the Scottish red-haired Doctor exits trough double doors carrying a carpet bag and a big smile.