London Calling Novel Novels & Stories

ANTHONY’S POV Christmas morning in London felt different. New York Christmases were all glass and steel and noise—a city trying to out-sparkle itself. But London was softer. Grey skies, damp air, breath in little clouds. The townhouse woke up slowly. Donna was the first one to stir, of course. She tiptoed into our room at some ungodly hour, climbed right between us, and went back to sleep with her cold feet pressed into my ribs.

Preparing. Because time— Time was no longer on our side. The Call My phone buzzed again. Unknown number. Again. I didn’t hesitate this time. I answered. “Hello.” Silence. Then— A different voice. Calm. Female. “You shouldn’t trust him.” My steps slowed slightly. “Who?” A soft exhale came through the line. “You’ll find out soon enough.” My grip tightened. “Stop calling me with riddles.” “You’re going to London,” she said.

POV: Finn | London, Rookeries London is louder than I expected, which is the first thing I notice when we come off the train at King's Cross and which is the first piece of information I add to the London I have been building in my head from Papa's letters, because the London in Papa's letters is a place of specific people and specific events and specific feelings and none of those things have a sound, and the actual London has sound in a way that Scotland's hills do not, the specific compressed quality of very many people in a small space all making noise simultaneously.

Camilla After a beautiful week-long stay in Paris, the next stop on our itinerary was London. I had never been to London, and was excited to spend some time in a city that I'd heard so much about. Michael and I decided to give Rebecca a break, and also give us a chance to spend more time with Isabella. "This is yummy!" Isabella exclaimed as she took a second sip of her hot chocolate. "It tastes different here!" "I'm so glad you like it," I told her, grasping her hand that wasn't occupied with a mug. "I've always loved hot chocolate too. And you're right, it is different. It's better somehow, isn't it?"

As she stepped off the plane in London, she couldn't contain her excitement for the adventures that awaited her. Luna's first stop was the bustling city of London. She marveled at the iconic landmarks that lined the city's skyline – the majestic Tower Bridge, the historic Tower of London, and the magnificent Buckingham Palace. Luna immersed herself in the vibrant atmosphere of the city, strolling through the charming streets of Notting Hill, browsing the eclectic markets of Camden Town, and indulging in traditional English tea at a quaint café in Covent Garden.

Rain streaked the windows as the plane touched down at a private terminal. Lewis stepped onto the runway first. Cold air hit his face immediately. London smelled like rain and stone. Elizabeth pulled her coat tighter as she stepped beside him. “Feels like we just walked into a mystery novel,” she said. Daniel gave a dry laugh. “Let’s hope the ending is better than most of them.” A black car was already waiting for them. Within minutes they were driving through the quiet streets of London. The city lights reflected off the wet pavement. Lewis watched the buildings pass by as Daniel spoke from the front seat.

London A week later, Jonathan and I arrive in a cold London, very different from Dubai, and winter hasn't arrived yet. I'm happy to know that I'm going to meet Jonathan's sister, Sophia, but I'm not happy to know that their mother will be there too. Even though I'm better from the motion sickness, I still feel the constant mood swings. There's nothing I can do about it; I just hope for the best and that I don't get caught in a difficult moment. I don't want any more friction with Mrs. Olivia.

★NEW YORK… “London” Riley said and Brianna choked on her pizza, coughing violently. “Oh my! Are you okay?” Riley asked and handed her water. Brianna gulped and tried to calm herself down. “What?!! London? What London?” She asked as she dropped the cup. At that point, Riley's eyes seemed to wonder a little, why's she so shocked? And how many Londons are there? “Just because..” Riley started, Brianna edged closer to her as if to remove the information from her belly

Men hurt them again. Aria was about to learn that lesson again. Rose was going to be the teacher. She turned and walked away from the hotel. Behind her, on the eighth floor, the light finally went out. She walked back to her hotel through streets she did not know. London was old in a way that New York was not. Old like the stone remembered who had walked over it. She kept her hands deep in her coat pockets and her head down and her eyes moving.

London was a fresh start. I pulled out my phone to distract myself. Scrolled through emails I’d already read. Checked my bank account balance. I looked at photos of my new apartment in Notting Hill that I’d never actually seen in person. I tried to imagine myself there. Happy. Settled. Free. The gate area started filling up with other passengers. Families with small children. Business travelers in suits. Couples holding hands. Everyone going to London for their own reasons. None of them running from a destroyed marriage and a secret pregnancy. Just me. Always just me.