The Anywhere Hotel: An uplifting journey around the world with a dash of magic and lots of heart by Stein Gisele

Author:Stein, Gisele
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Stein Books & Publishing
Published: 2023-09-14T00:00:00+00:00

14

DEVIL’S ISLAND

The coming days passed by in a fog of sameness and denial. Ava didn’t walk through any more doors – not even the one to her own room – save for two she’d made herself: A paper cup which dropped her right in front of the Mousehole Deli. That was her sorted for food, at least until her money ran out. The other one was a key wrist strap from the London Aquatics Centre. That was her sorted for showers and toilet breaks, as she didn’t want to risk bumping into anyone on the way to the Atlas bathroom.

On Wednesday morning, Joao invited her to join the crew for the soccer ball delivery in fulfilment of his kind act, but Ava wasn’t up for it. To participate would have meant buying into Bruno’s whole narrative of titans and unsung heroes, and she was nowhere near willing to do that. Thanks, but no thanks. She’d rather spend her days in bed.

For the first time since her arrival, she noticed the Atlas struggled with regular power cuts, often leaving her for hours with nothing to do but stare out the window or flick through the copy of The Wealth Of Nations on her nightstand. Not that she had much else to do when the power did come on. By Saturday, she was bored out of her mind and decided to leave her room.

Much to her displeasure, she bumped into Yash on the stairwell.

“Hey, I’ve been…” He cleared his throat, fiddling with the strap of his rucksack. “I’ve been meaning to talk to you.”

Ava could tell from his expression that he had meant to do no such thing. She covered herself with the kikoi from Zanzibar. Her tank top was stained with food spills, and she hadn’t shaved her armpits in days.

“You all right?” Yash placed a hand on her arm, his skin chilling hers.

“Yeah. M’fine,” Ava said and took another step down.

“Hey, hey. Don’t do that, girl. Don’t just walk away from this.”

“Away from what?” Ava gave a tired shrug. “You don’t actually fancy me, Yash, and we both know it. You were just excited to be with someone who won’t forget you.”

Yash didn’t even object. He just sort of flinched, then breathed out heavily through his nostrils.

“I don’t blame you,” Ava said. “Really, I don’t. It would have been nice to have someone here, someone to – you know – be with.” She swallowed, realising only now that by entering the hotel, she had not only forsaken a career but, much more importantly, the possibility of a relationship, of starting a family – of love. It saddened her deeply. “But we can’t force those feelings, Yash,” she whispered. “So, let’s not pretend, okay? I don’t think I could handle any more make-believe at this point.”

Yash walked down to meet her on the same step. “Okay, but… we’re good, yeah?”

“We’re good.” Ava nodded.

“You sure?” He cocked a brow.

“I’m sure,” she said, and her stomach growled. Right on point, for once. “Sorry, I’m just really hungry.

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