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Gavin and Alex walked through Paddington Station to the taxi stand and got in the relatively short queue. Fifteen minutes and twelve pounds later, they were at the Rembrandt Hotel, located conveniently halfway betwixt the South Kensington and Knightsbridge tube stations. Alex noticed it was also nearly across the street from the Victoria & Albert museum. He didn't much care for the legendary V&A, but staying in this area meant it was only a few blocks from the Science Museum, which he adored. "Nice choice of location, Gavin."

"Thanks. It's convenient to everything."

They went in and headed directly for the registration desk. They completed their paperwork, and handed their bags over to the bellman since their room wouldn't be ready until nearly two in the afternoon.

"Okay, Alex, let's find the object of your desires and get this over with."

"Actually, Gavin, if it's all the same to you, I'd like to spend the day with you going around the city. You'll be gone for four days, so I can look for Nicky then," said Alex. While that sentiment was true, Alex had another motive, too. He would never betray the trust Nicky placed in him by revealing the underground world. He also knew there was no way he could explain that world to Gavin.

"Really?" said Gavin, perking up.

"Yeah. Any preferences?"

"Well, the London Eye is always nice. But I can amuse myself for hours at the British Library, the Science Museum, or just walking through Hyde Park. I'd rather walk, though."

"It's all good. Why not walk through Hyde Park first? It's not that far from here, and then we can do something else afterwards."

"Brilliant. Let's go," said Gavin, leading the way. That was, of course, unnecessary because Alex had a pretty good idea of where it was too. They headed towards it, passing the Victoria & Albert Museum, the Museum of Natural History, the Science Museum, Imperial College, and then finally, Royal Albert Hall.

They continued up Exhibition Road right into the park. They came to the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain and spent a few moments admiring it. It was hard to pay your respects, as it was very noisy and full of playing children, but that was the point of it after all, Gavin explained when Alex complained about the noise.

They crossed over the Serpentine and followed along the bank admiring the view. There were crew boats with the full compliment of rowers, swans, horses on the nearby equestrian run locally known as Rotten Row, and many dogs running about – many happily chasing balls and Frisbees. There were people on beach chairs sunning themselves.

They stopped at one of the many cafés to get a drink and sit and people-watch. After Alex had paid, despite Gavin's objections, they sat at a table, side-by-side, facing the walkway.

"It's an amazing park, isn't it?"

"Yeah. That's why I like coming here," said Gavin. "So much to see and every time it's the same and yet very different."

Gavin's mobile phone rang. He answered. "Yes, Father. The envelope was delivered successfully... I'm in Hyde Park with Alex... I have a 10am train for Liverpool... Yes, I promise to try to remember to call like I promised. I'm sorry I forgot. I'll make sure he calls his mother right away. Sorry." Gavin hung up.

"We are so in the shitter, mate," said Gavin with a groan. "I was supposed to call my mum every day, and I forgot. And your mum lost my number, so she called Dad who just cussed me out. You've got to call her."

"Yeah. I was going to call from the hotel. I guess I did sort of forget when we were in Hong Kong."

"Here, you go first. Hold the zero key down until you see a plus sign, then dial one and then the area code and number."

Alex called his mother, apologized profusely, and promised he'd call every day, even if it was from the hotel. When he was done listening to the obligatory parental lecture, he hung up and returned the phone to Gavin who called his own mother and had an almost identical discussion and lecture.

They sat, sipping their Schweppes Lemonades, watching the crowd ebb and flow. "It's remarkable how many people come in groups."

"That's what friends do, Alex."

"I wouldn't know."

"Alex, at some point you have to decide if you want to take some risks to get to know people. If you don't, you won't meet anybody new. Granted, you'll never get fucked over but you'll be miserable and alone. If you take the risk and make friends you'll still end up getting hurt and thus, also be miserable. Which misery do you prefer?" Gavin paused before adding, "There is no correct answer. Actually, that's not quite correct. Life is one big test where all the answers are usually wrong. But you learn from the wrong answer. My point is, if you're going to be miserable, you might as well not be miserable alone."

"Well aren't you Mister Cheerful today?" said Alex. "But you're right and I know it. If it weren't for the accident, I wouldn't have met you. I met Nicky by accident too."

"How'd you meet Delos?"

"She forced herself upon me when we were young," Alex said before realizing how it sounded. "Wait. That came out wrong.... Let me explain. We must have been eight or ten years old. I don't know exactly. I was playing in the park, by myself of course. She came over and said she wanted to play too. I ignored her, but she would have none of it. Every weekend she did that for months and we just sort of ended up friends."

"Have you ever made a friend on your own?"

"No. I don't know how."

"Everyone craves friendship and the love that can come with it. You're always searching for it, even if you don't know it. So when it comes you're subconsciously receptive to it, even if unwilling on a conscious level. As a human you're looking for an arm around your shoulder, a kind smile directed your way, for someone to tell you everything's okay. But generally, people are lacking or incomplete in some way."

"That's pretty profound, Gavin."

"Thanks. I don't know where that came from."

"Out of your mouth, it seems."

"Ass," said Gavin smiling. "As self-conscious as you are, it makes it more difficult for you. Do you ever stare in the mirror at night and wish your nose – or some other part -- wasn't so big or small? Or, that you had different colour hair? Or, that your eyes were a different colour? Or, that you were fatter or thinner?"

Alex didn't answer, but he knew the answer was resoundingly affirmative.

"Alex, everyone has those thoughts at some point. You can't let those thoughts define you."

"I know you're right."

"Of course I'm right. You just have to accept that you are who you are. There are things you can change and things you can't."

"So why are you telling me this? What's the point?"

Gavin stood up, and put their rubbish in the nearby repository. Alex followed him. "Alex, at some point you will have an epiphany and learn something from all of this."

"You're confident of that?"

"Unless I've misread you and you're a complete idiot, yes I am confident."

"Thanks, I think."

They continued walking through the park towards the far corner where Marble Arch was. Alex was determined to avoid the tube today at all costs. The last thing he wanted to do was run into Nicky with Gavin present. Every time he heard a busker, he became nervous and looked around anxiously.

"How're your feet doing?" asked Gavin.

"Fine, actually. Why?"

"I was planning on doubling the distance we just walked."

"That's fine. Where?"

"I thought we'd walk right up Oxford Street toward Tottenham Court Road. You know, just window shop, soak up the ambience, and work our way towards Foyle's and Forbidden Planet. I know you like books."

"Book shopping is good. Walking is good. This is a plan with no downside!"

"I am glad you approve, my lowly minion," said Gavin as seriously as he could.

"Minion? How dare you call your superior a minion! I shall smite thee anon for speaking to your betters in that tone."

"Okay. That's enough silly. How about food?"

"Food is always a plus."

"We're right at Marks and Spencer, so how about the food halls?"

"Great idea!" exclaimed Alex.

They went through Marks and Spencer to the food halls. The boys separated and each went and got the food they wanted, and met up about fifteen minutes later at the side entrance.

"Where are we going to eat it?"

"Against the wall like everyone else," replied Gavin.

Alex wasn't excited about the prospect of eating standing up, but right now that was about the only option.

Gavin had selected a curry of some sort. Alex wasn't able to identify it visually except that there seemed to be curry, vegetables, and some sort of meat, which was likely chicken. He thought about asking, but decided he probably didn't want to know the answer. Alex had gotten a simple ham and cheese sandwich and some raw cashews. He put some of the cashews on the sandwich, earning him a curious look from Gavin. Gavin finished first, and threw his rubbish away and waited for Alex to finish up his last few bites.

They walked back to Oxford Street, where Gavin handed Alex a slip of paper.

"What's this?" asked Alex, a bit confused.

"I thought it best to write down my mobile number in case you have to get in touch with me for any reason. Keep it in your wallet for an emergency."

Alex shoved it in his wallet and thought no more of it. Nearly an hour later, after staring into interminable windows, as well as a few actual detours into shops, they arrived at Tottenham Court Road.

Alex and Gavin walked around Forbidden Planet for some time, marvelling at the range of toys, games, movies, and books. After a while, Gavin asked, "Aren't you buying anything?"

"Not now. I'd just have to carry it. I'll come back tomorrow when I can take the stuff straight back. Books aren't so light, you know," said Alex. He had no intention of returning. His money was tight and this was an expense he couldn't afford.

"Fair enough. Do you mind looking, though?"

"Of course not. I love books," said Alex truthfully.

They went off to Foyle's and spent well over an hour shopping for books. Gavin had selected one, by Jasper Fforde for reading on his train ride, but it was a trade paperback so it wasn't all that heavy. Alex kept looking and thought that if he had any pounds left at the end of the trip, he might indeed return to buy something.

Gavin and Alex queued up at the till, waiting. Gavin leaned over to Alex and whispered, "Don't turn around but there's a guy in a white England jersey who's been following us nearly the whole time since we left this morning. I thought we'd lost him, but he's over by the maps."

Alex bent down, pretending to tie his shoe and saw the man in question. He got back up, "Maybe it's security to protect you," he suggested. He knew the real reason for it, but didn't want to discuss it – wondering how Gavin would react if he knew the entire story.

"Not likely. We're going to jump on the tube and take it to try and lose the guy," said Gavin just before he stepped up to the till to pay.

Alex didn't want to get on the tube. The risk, he felt, was too great. But he daren't speak against it. "Okay. Good idea," he said.

They left the store, and walked back to the tube station, going down the stairs. They went down to the Central line, and at the other end of the platform, the man in the jersey was there. "We're going to wait until just before the doors close at the next station, and then jump off the train."

"Okay," said Alex because the less time on the tube the better.

They waited, and waited, and waited, but no train came. Then the public address speakers came on. "Ladies and gentlemen, due to a one under, there is no southbound service on the Central line at the moment. Please use the Northern line or surface transportation. London Underground apologises for the inconvenience."

"What the fuck is a one under?" asked Alex.

"Slang. It means someone has committed suicide by jumping under a train. Happens fairly often. People just jump in front of the train as it pulls into the station. Pretty quick, but not very painless."

"Wow. That sucks."

"For the driver of the train, anyway."

"So now what?" asked Alex as they headed back up to the ticketing hall.

"I'm going to call Father and ask," said Gavin. "We'll take the Northern line instead, right after I make the call." Gavin checked his signal meter and found it was adequate enough in the ticketing hall to make the call.

Gavin dialled and waited. When his father answered, he explained the situation. Alex knew Gavin's father was going on at great length because Gavin just kept grunting "yeah" and "no" for quite some time. Finally, Gavin hung up.

"What was all that about?"

"Officially, I can't tell you. Unofficially, we are being followed. It's for our own safety according to father. Quite frankly, I must say I don't entirely believe him."

"I see," said Alex who also didn't believe it for a minute. "For that matter, where is he now?"

"Not sure," said Gavin. "Let's just head over to the London Eye. We should take the tube since it's quite a hike."

They took the Northern line down to Embankment and then walked over the bridge to the other side of the Thames River. They didn't see the man in the white jersey again. Alex did, however, see someone else who appeared to be following them. He couldn't be sure because he was so nervous about accidentally running across Nicky, he couldn't concentrate.

They took their ride on the London Eye, Gavin pointing out the sights as well as any expert tour guide could have. As they exited, Alex noticed the same person following them. He got a closer look; it was a tall woman this time. Gavin took no notice, and Alex decided not to point it out.

"Been a long day, eh?" asked Gavin.

"Definitely. You want to eat dinner and head back?"

"Sure. How does Pizza Express sound? Something simple and good."

"It sounds awesome."

It was a twenty-minute walk over the bridge, past Charing Cross Station, up through Trafalgar Square and to the Pizza Express where both boys were disappointed to find a fifteen-minute queue outside the door. They were starved but after a discussion, decided by the time they got somewhere else it would be fifteen minutes anyway. Soon they were seated, and ordered a starter of garlic breadsticks, and a bottle of still water to share between them.

The starter arrived, and they dug in like ravenous wolves. They placed their orders for the main course, pizza of course, and seconds later their garlic bread was but a distant memory.

"Gavin, can I use your phone to call home while we wait?"

"Sure!" said Gavin, handing over his phone.

Alex dialled his mother who answered almost immediately.

"Hi, Mom!"

"Hello. Is everything all right?"

"Yes. We're having dinner now."

"That's nice. No troubles of any sort?"

"None at all."

"Are you having fun?"

"Yes, I am. Hong Kong was great!"

"Alex, one last thing. So you know, we got a certified letter today from the British Government waiving any remaining payments. We won't get back what we already paid in back, but we're clear for the future."

"That's great. I'm really happy to hear that. I'll make sure I call tomorrow. I'll see you in a few days." said Alex. He felt very relieved knowing that their financial burden had been lifted. Being so deep in debt had been a very heavy load to bear, and now it was gone. He felt exuberant.

The pizzas arrived and had they not been so hot, might have vanished before the waitress had left the table. "Anything else, gentlemen?"

"No, we're good, thanks," offered Gavin before cutting his pizza to help cool it down.

"Damn, this is hot as all hell."

"Serves you right, getting ham on it. All that sizzling grease can't help," said Gavin.

"Yeah, as if the pepperoni is any better."

"Of course not. The grease adds flavour. Best part, dontcha know?"

"Agreed."

The two boys couldn't wait any longer and tucked into their food, collecting the mandatory mouth-roof burns in the process.

After the meal, they paid their bill, and walked towards Piccadilly Circus, which was only a few blocks away. Gavin started to head down into the tube station but Alex stopped him, "Can't we walk?"

"Walk? We've done nothing but walk all day. We must have done ten miles. Aren't you tired?"

"Yeah, but I'm trying to prolong what remaining time we have in London together," lied Alex who was foot-sore. If it weren't for the possibility of seeing Nicky, he would have jumped at a chance to ride the tube. To confirm his resolve, the sounds of a busker rose from the station, though since it was the sound of a guitar he was pretty certain it wasn't Nicky.

"All right, but tomorrow I'm going to sleep in and go straight to the train station. I won't see you again until I come back in a few days."

"Not even for breakfast?"

"Nope. Sleep. Lots of it," insisted Gavin.

"As you wish, your majesty," acquiesced Alex.

"At last, you've learned proper etiquette, my lowly slave."

"You wish you owned me," said Alex playfully before realizing Gavin probably wouldn't appreciate it.

"Yeah," said Gavin barely audibly.

"Sorry," said Alex. He noticed there was someone keeping pace with them on the other side of the street. He assumed it was not a coincidence. He hoped he wasn't becoming paranoid.

"It's okay. Let's just walk."

It took them nearly an hour to get to the hotel and it was well past dark when they arrived. They stood in line and collected their room keys and then their luggage before going to the elevator.

They got off on their floor. Gavin's room was to the right and Alex's to the left.

"Alex, if you need anything don't forget you have my number. You could also call the Home Office but that's really impractical as by the time they track down the right department to call my dad so he can call me, we'd be old men."

"Gavin, thank you. Thank you for everything. I'm sorry for anything I've done to make your life unhappy these past few days. I know I suck at showing it, but I appreciate everything you've done for me. I really, really do. I owe you. I mean that."

"Thanks," said Gavin. "I'll see you in four days." Gavin held out his hand.

Alex really wanted to kiss Gavin goodbye, but he knew that wasn't in the cards. He shook his friend's hand, thinking how insufficient it felt, and turned his back, and went towards his room. He arrived, opened the door to his room, went in, and locked the door behind him.