SHORT SHORTS by Tonig73

A Few More Moments ...

OK, so I'm gonna just write this as it falls outta my head. (Terrible grammar, I'm terribly sorry). It may not be in order, I might forget some things, which I may update at the end of each day.  I'll try to include as much detail as I can.

Enjoy .... 

Day 1      Friday 8th July.     

I chose to travel by Eurostar this time, as I booked far enough ahead that it was cheaper than flying, and there wasn't a bus to get me to the airport !  The things that make your decisions for you.  Anyhoo, it was speedy, quiet and efficient, much better than the airports at the moment.  An uber from Gard Du Nord to my hotel left me in familiar territory.  Door to door in about 6 hours.

I was originally going to stay in that tiny little hotel that Larry filmed his Newarts video at. I'd been there before, having found it one day wandering the Left Bank, and introduced myself to the owner, a lovely man called Francesco.  He hadn't seen Larry's video, so I duly showed him, and you should have seen his face, it was a picture.  I though by staying there, that would be another conversation starter with Mr. B.  Apart from the fact it was under 100 Euro's a night, and opposite the Notre Dame.  In the middle of July.  Rare.  

But I digress.  I stayed at a lovely hotel recommended by the lovely lisaalberta (on IG), you've probs seen her amazing artwork.  More of that later ...  Four of us knew we were going to be staying there, including one of my lovely readers, keversole312, or Kelly.  I met her first, then we met up with Lisa and Angela.  We sat in the reception area, when Lisa brought her painting of Larry for me.  I loved it, she is such an amazing artist. (Sorry, I wanted to post pics too, but I can't figure out how to get my photos from my phone, to my pooter. When I find out, I'll post them, but go to my IG page, tonijaneguyton, if you haven't already. Loads of video footage and some great photos.)

We had some dinner, changed and walked to the studio.  Kelly and Angela were newbies, and even I had butterfly's in my tummy again, turning the corner at the bottom of the hill to climb up to the studio.  I don't think we waited too long, paid our money, and waited in line. (more about that later too).   Lisa and I greeted some familiar faces, and got caught up.  I had my cardboard tube with Larry's painting in it, and a very special gift for Larry in my pocket.  

Lau arrived first (surprise), and made his way through the crowd quickly.  I can't remember if he stopped to greet anyone, but I pointed him out to Kelly, you should have seen her face ! He brushed by right in front of her, I don't think she could believe it.  Larry arrived next, taking forever to travel the few feet from the door to the office, so many peeps wanted to say Hi and hug him.  He got to the crowd in the corridor, made a beeline to hug Lisa, saw me then got me in a literal headlock, a double hug with Lisa.  All I remember thinking was that his shirt was soft, and his body was warm.  Dammit Larry ! And this was the first five minutes !  

He stayed to chat with various peeps for a while, standing right in front of me, literally pressing his chest into my face.  He was doing something on his phone, and his hands were right by my mouth.  I made a pretend chomping sound, as if eating his rings and fingers, and someone laughed.  All I could think of was, I've licked it, so it's mine.  He just doesn't register personal space, I'm sure of it, and this just proved it.

He went to move to the office, and I took the chance to give him his gift.  I grabbed his hand, and put my gift in it, curling his fingers around it.  He looked down at my hand in his, then unfurled his fingers.  It took a second to register just what it was that he was holding, then he sighed deeply.