Moiraine had never been to Paris. Her school French left a lot to be desired. She knew it because her French teacher had said so and she'd not used it in twenty years. Nevertheless, she had booked the Eurostar to Paris. To do what, she didn't know. She had google maps so she didn't have to ask anyone for directions, she'd use self-checkouts so she didn't need to ask for help in a shop and if all else failed, use google translate. She'd try to avoid the metro. She clutched the address in her hand and followed the stragglers out to the taxi rank. She waited her turn, looking around her. She'd heard that the locals were rude and the city was dirty.

'Looking for a taxi?'

The distinctly English voice arrested her. She turned her head to look at a tall figure hovering by the wall with a couple of friends. She held a helmet in her hands and a smile on her face. Moiraine looked at the cars lined up.

'Something on two wheels perhaps?'

Moiraine couldn't think what she meant until the woman stretched out a business card.

'Motorbike taxi at your service.'

Moiraine had never been on a motorbike. She'd coveted the idea of it for years, sneaking glances at people speeding past and at idle wheels parked on the roads. Nobody had offered her a ride before. She weighed up the pros and cons.

'How much?'

It didn't seem extortionate. And even if it was, she would have the experience.

'Will it take my suitcase?'

She agreed to it when she saw the setup. The suitcase was a small battered thing but the driver secured it with ropes and grips to a basket at the back, Moiraine's rucksack stowed safely underneath.

Handing her the helmet, her driver bundled her hair in a net and fitted hers on. Moiraine looked down at it. Did she need a hair net? Her driver reached over and gave her one. She waited and then placed the helmet securely over Moiraine's head. It was tight but not uncomfortable. Moiraine glanced at the strong hands on either side and waited, catching her eyes at the last second. She saw sparkling warmth and she thought she could trust it.

Her driver sat astride the bike and waited. Strapping on the gloves given to her, Moiraine got on easily, it was a bit like getting on a horse. Something she knew well.

'Ready?'

Gripping the hand rests on either side, Moiraine waited. The whoosh of the wind nearly threw her off as they wended their way through the city. The soft afternoon rays bathed them in a glow as her driver sped off, deftly navigating traffic, in a tunnel, through the designer district, through a one-way street, the traffic buzzing around them like insects, the audience of faces rotating in a blur. Despite the ache in her arms, Moiraine was enjoying it even more than she thought she would. She felt free as a bird. She knew she was grinning more than she had ever done before. At a traffic light, the helmet in front turned to ask her how she was. She could only say amazing before they roared off again, dipping and weaving through the mire. It was a very strange sensation to feel like she was floating while feeling every vibration and tremor. She held onto dear life as dogs on the pavement and trees sped by. She was sorry when it had ended. She was courteously helped off and despite longing for the bed that was awaiting her, felt reluctant to go. She paid and tipped and looked at the business card.

'Anytime you want a bike around the city, back to the station to go home, message this number, book for me and I'll come and get you.'

She lingered until her driver told her that her name was Siuan.