Just a Soldier

Chapter 80 - Uncanny resemblance

Y/n's POV:

The next few days of our holiday are just as fun packed as our first two here in London. After the incredible night at the Lion King, things just kept getting better. The next day we had a museum day. We did some of the core ones, which are all free, meaning that there were no arguments over who's paying today!

We started off going to the British Museum. I love this place as it's such a traditional museum. It's been here for over 250 years and the old building stands proudly as you enter. But what I love the most is the roof of the courtyard. It's this beautifully designed glass roof and it just contrasts the old building perfectly.

My favourite part is the Egyptian section. All of the artifacts, sarcophaguses and mummies are really cool. "Are these all real?" Ava asks as we walk past a display of mummies. "Yes, they are bug. This is how they used to bury the dead in Ancient Egypt." I explain and she scrunches her noise a little at the thought.

Scarlett kneels down beside her and starts to explain all about mummification and how Pharaohs had their own tombs, and some are in the pyramids. I love listening to their conversation, not only am I learning things I didn't know, but it's amazing to see both of them so enthusiastic. Scarlett's eyes are lit up as she talks to Ava, who as usually is listening attentively. I know how much moments like this mean to Scarlett and I see the love in her eyes when Ava says "Thank you mama" after she's finished telling her.

I then take them to my favourite part of the museum. To see Ginger. "What's this?" Ava asks and I smile widely. "This is Ginger. When I was your age, we came on a school trip here. I don't remember much about it, but I remember coming here and being mesmerised by this figure." I tell her as we look at the mummy in front of us. "But this one looks different." She observes. "That's right. This was a very early mummy, and they didn't have all the processes that the other ones we've seen. They didn't get wrapped in linen." I share.

"Why is he called Ginger?" She questions and I smile. "Look at them do you notice anything?" I probe and watch as she gets closer to the glass. After a couple of minutes, she gasps and looks at Scarlett and me. "He's got ginger hair!" She spots with a big grin. "He does! Can you believe he still has his hair over three thousand years after he died?" I exclaim.

We spend a little longer going around the Ancient Rome and Greek sections, but Ava's not interested in the other bits, so we head off to our next stop. The Natural History Museum. Even though she has had new interests in the last year or two, her love for dinosaurs has stayed with her. So the whole time we were walking towards the museum, she was bouncing on her feet.

"Oh wow! How have I never been here before?" Scarlett asks as she sees the beautiful building that is the Natural History Museum. "It's pretty impressive, isn't it?!" I state as we all look up. Ava takes our hands and pulls us towards the entrance. We walk up to the beautifully ornate door and enter the building. "A DIPLODOCUS!" Ava shouts, full of excitement as we're greeted by the full dinosaur fossil.

Ava starts to run down the stairs to get closer as Scarlett goes after. "Ava! Don't run!" She calls after her in a stern tone. Ava stops where she is and slowly turns on the stop to Scarlett who huffs as she gets to her. "Sorry mama." Ava apologises quietly. "You mustn't run away like that, especially downstairs. You could have fallen and hurt yourself." Scarlett warns Ava.

I stand back and watch over the interaction. It may seem weird to say this, but I had a smile on my face the whole time. I still remember in Legoland when Scarlett was afraid to tell Ava off. But here she is not even thinking twice about it and Ava is listening to her. It really feels like her transition to her mama is complete. She's finally willing to tell her off!

I catch up with the two of them as Scarlett is holding Ava's hand and walking towards the dinosaur. Ava is rambling about the facts she knows about the diplodocus. Once she's had enough of dippy, we head straight to the dinosaur section. There is so much here and they've displayed it in such a kid friendly way. Through Ava's own obsession over the extinct creatures, Scarlett and I have gained a fair amount of knowledge too and we end up making our own observations on what we're seeing with the different fossils.