*Meri*
"Are you completely sure you don't want me to stay here with you ? I hate leaving you when you are sick". I look at my beloved twin sister Lumi, who is all bundled up in bed with a cold.
She smiles at me. "Yeah, we just arrived in London… go see the city. You shouldn't sit here just because I'm sick. I'll be okay… I have tea, N*****x and something called hobnobs".
We arrived yesterday in London from Tampere in Finland to study at UCL on a government paid scholarship. Our father is in the military and has been for many years, so that is why we got this possibility.
"Okay then, but I'll take a lot of pictures and send them to you". I tell her, stepping into my shoes.
She smiles at me again. "I know you will".
We always wanted to see London. Well we want to see the world while Lumi still can. But so far we have only been on a few short trips to Norway and a single family holiday in Mallorca. My father simply didn't have the time and the money wasn't big either.
I grab my small backpack and swing it over my shoulder, before leaning down to kiss her forehead. "See you later siskoni".
"Have fun… behave". She gives me a small wave as I leave the apartment.
So what to do first ? I think to myself as I walk out into the unseasonal warm London weather. It is the end of September, but the sky is high and blue with only a mild breeze and a thin long sleeved t-shirt and a pair of yoga pants is enough to keep me warm.
I decide to take the train a little north and check out Hampton heath. I love being out in nature, walking and running and I want to see if it's worth the train ride to go there for my runs or if the streets around the apartment are enough.
Luckily the station is only a five minutes walk away from the apartment and I only have to change trains a single time as far as I can see. I should be able to handle that. To be honest I feel a little silly being all excited about buying the ticket and taking the escalator down into the depths of the city. But this is something I have dreamed of and seen in movies and on tv. I just wished my sister was here to share it with me.
I find the right train and board it, sitting down on a vacant seat. It is stifling hot and very loud, a cacophony of voices, scratching and rumbling sounds from the machine and the sound of whooshing air. It smells a bit dusty, like recycled air. These are the sounds and smells of authentic London.
After two stops I get up to change lines. Going even deeper underground. There is something sacred and a bit scary about it. Knowing how deep beneath the surface I am.
"Where are you going dearie ?" A little old bended woman is suddenly in front of me, holding out her hand. "Can you spare a penny for an old woman ?"
There is just a weird air about her, and I am not sure whether to feel curious or scared. One of her eyes is milky white. I pull out a five pound note, the only cash I have. "Here you go, that's all I got. I just arrived yesterday".
Instead of just taking the note she grabs my hand, running her soft wrinkled fingers over my palm. "Thank you dearie. You are on the right line, it will take you where you need to go … show you what you need to find".
"Uhm thanks". So it's the right train ? Well I already knew that. And what do I need to find ? Well the Heath. But good to know I won't get lost on the way.
"Do not try to ignore destiny… Accept what you are offered… It will keep being thrown in your path if you ignore your faith". She looks at me like I have a daily habit of ignoring faith and destiny. Not like those things often seem to cross my life.
I gently pull my hand away, as I hear the train emerging through the tunnel. "Thanks again, that's my train, gotta go".
"Accept destiny". She calls out, smiling a toothless smile and waving at me.
I shake my head slightly to myself, as I get on board the second train. She probably isn't all there the poor old thing. All this talk of destiny. My destiny is to get an education and to go see some more of the world.
Don't get me wrong, it's not that I don't want love and a family of my own. Actually I love everything romantic. But I have just turned 24 and I have my life ahead of me. Also my experience so far is that a lot of men have a hard time handling how close me and my sister are. They either want me to see her less or even worse they think they ended in some kinky porn. Yeah I actually had a boyfriend who genuinely thought that banging my sister would not be cheating, because we were twins. All he got from Lumi was a black eye.
I get out at the station. The houses here are big and beautiful, built in red bricks. There is no doubt this is an expensive neighbourhood. I only have to look at the cars to know; Mercedes, BMW, Audi are parked along the curb.
Walking down the street I look around. It's not that I really feel a need to have this, but I mean, who wouldn't like a privileged life, not having to worry about money. Being able to provide everything you wish for your kids ?
I find the small path leading to a bridge over the rails, on the other side is the Heath and for some reason I feel joy bubbling inside me as I walk up the steps. I am happy that London has so many parks and so much nature. It would be hard not to have open spaces close.
*Meri* I breathe in and look around as I enter the area. Okay which way to go first ? One way there is a colourful playground and behind it a small sports stadium ... the other way the path disappears around a bend. Hmm the playground no doubt, it looks so bright and funny. So I turn right, walking on the path running along the playground. An elderly woman comes towards me with two small dogs. One of them pulls towards me and I squat down to scratch it behind the ears. She smiles at me. "Oh sorry my dear, he just loves being cuddled". "It's totally okay. I love dogs and he is very sweet". I say looking up at her. "And I love cuddling too". "He is usually much more reserved towards strangers. But dogs are good judges of character". The woman says with a smile. "Come on boys ... have a nice day my dear". I get up, smiling back at her. "You too". Walking on I reach the playground. It is bright and looks fun and exciting. Making me kind of wish I was a kid again. We didn't have a
*Meri* Should I have done… like something ? Am I just stupid thinking I felt anything ? I mean it was a complete stranger I was looking at. I had returned after about 20 minutes, but he had been gone and maybe that was for the best… I mean what was I going to say to him ? I have been spending the last four hours looking at shops and landmarks, sending a few shots to Lumi. And now I am walking over Leicester square, wanting to check out the theaters before going home. There are quite a lot of people gathered down the side street that I turn down. But it is probably just like a guided tour or something. I am kind of walking in my own thoughts, honestly thinking about my running man, pushing a bit to get through the crowd and not really looking. Just as I get through, cursing to myself that people are so selfish blocking the street like that, someone slams into me hard. And hadn't they quickly caught me I would have definitely been knocked over. "What the fuck woman, are you blind
*Tom* Okay by now I am completely sure that she isn't a fan. Honestly she seemed to have no idea who I am and it's quite refreshing. I am kind of pacing the street, waiting for Meri to come back out in costume… Meri, what a special name, it fits her very well. It had been a spur of the moment decision, suggesting her as a stand in for Lena and I still don't totally get why. The trailer door opens and Meri walks out in Lena's outfit, tight leather leggings, over the knees leather boots and a leather jacket, all black. Her long blonde hair is covered with a bright orange wig. "I know, I look ridiculous". She says with a small giggle and spins on the spot. I swallow hard, she looks damn sexy. Oh stop yourself Tom, standing here staring at her ass. She can't be more than in her early twenties, she is too young and would probably think you an old perv for looking at her. "You don't look ridiculous, you look great". I say softly. "Wonderful… Great… no one will notice it's not Lena"
*Tom* Honestly I feel so stupid right now, I had gotten caught up in the moment and felt a, for me at least, rare connection. So I pushed away the thought that she was too young, that I shouldn't ask out a woman I don't know, and I begged her to go on a date with me. She almost ran back to the trailer, telling me she was sorry but she couldn't, that she was not in London to date, but to focus on her studies. After she had changed back to her own clothes she disappeared so fast I hardly got to say goodbye. You are a fool Tom, of course she said no. I had been too fast, to direct apparently, but I mean who says I will ever see her again ? Her look told me everything, I might have forgotten about the age difference, but she didn't. I shake my head and get ready for the last scene. It can't just be nothing, can it ? I mean… seeing her in the park, then her walking right on set… and that kiss, the thought sends my blood rushing through me… it had been something special, I am sure of
1 week later *Tom* "Come on Nani". I pull slightly at the leash to get his attention. We are out for our early evening walk on the heath. But he is acting kind of strange today, like he is focussed on something else. It has been a week and I have been trying my best to forget her. I mean I know nothing but her first name. I even talked to everyone who had contact with her at the shoot, but no one could help. I am not even sure why I keep trying, she made it kind of clear that she isn't interested. Just as Nani finally decides to come with me my phone rings and I pick it up, seeing it's Lukas. "Hi, anything new ?" "Sorry Tom, I am doing my best here. But finding one girl in London with only her first name and not drawing attention… That's not an easy task". He says with a sigh. "Well then we have to forget about discretion, we could post an ad or something, get a picture from the shot maybe". Nani has stopped again to sniff at something. He sighs at the other end. "Tom, you are
Tuesday *Meri* "How do I look ?" I ask for about a millionth time, turning in front of my sister as she is putting in her earrings. I am wearing a red plaid skirt with a simple black top, my long hair held back by a simple braid that Lumi did. "You look great sis, relax". I look at her, she looks perfect in a long purplish-grey skirt and a black top, her hair curled to perfection. "Thanks… you look amazing". "So… what are you going to say when Tom asks you out on a real date ?" She picks up her clutch. "Who says he is going to do that ?" I feel my cheeks flush. I have been thinking a lot about it these last two days. Is Tom the destiny I should not refuse ? She rolls her eyes, before looking in the mirror, applying her hot pink lipstick. "Believe me, he is going to ask you out, so what do you say ?" "I… I have to say yes, don't I… I would regret saying no. So I just have to get over the age difference". I put the bright red lipstick I am wearing in my purse, in case I need a
*Tom* Of course I offered to drive Lumi home first or to an underground station, but she just laughed and told me to get going and have Meri home early enough to be ready for school tomorrow. After having a security guard check that no one is in the parking lot, I offer Meri my arm and lead her to my car, opening the door to her. "Here you go darling". "Thanks Tom". She smiles warmly at me, before putting on the safety belt and I close the door, hurrying around to the driver's seat. "It's a very cool car". She says running her hand over the leather seat. "It fits you". I start my navy jaguar. "Thanks, actually I should probably be looking for a smaller more efficient car. Especially since I don't use it much. On normal days I walk or take the tube, most events send a car". "But they didn't send a car today ?" She looks at me, as I navigate into the street. "Well, they did offer". I am happy that I can keep my focus on the road. "But I thought it would be easier having my own c
*Meri* "So… when are you going to see Tom again ? And how did the evening go ?" Lumi asks as we walk towards the School the next morning. I smile to myself, remembering the evening. "It went well, we had tapas at this cosy little spanish place. And he held my hand the whole evening, like literally the whole evening. We talked about everything. Oh Lumi he is so sweet and so brilliantly smart". "See I told you… aren't you glad you said yes ?" She grins. "So did he kiss you goodnight ?" "Oh yeah, he definitely did". I feel my cheeks blush. "And… it was even better than the last one". She giggles. "Sounds like old Tommy boy has some tricks up his sleeves. I am happy for you sis. So did you plan a second date ?" "Well he asked if he could call me today… that maybe we could go for a walk or something". I am fiddling with a stray lock of my hair. "He seems like a gentleman, so he will probably call today, or tomorrow at the latest". She sends me a happy smile. I bite my lip. "Actual