Media Secret: Hidden Johansson

The Grove

Christmas lights stung on all the trees, Christmas magical music playing in the air, and the sound of many voices playing in accompaniment as everyone is getting ready for Christmas. The huge Christmas tree lit up a most blinding with how bright it was in the centre of the square food stalls at each corner. People stay together at tables sharing hot chocolates and warm drinks. The flying Santas sledge over the fountain.

As Florence and I walk around her arm wrapped around mine we walk through the centre next to the tree, being able to smell mulled wine, doughnuts and churros. Listening to the music almost makes me chuckle at how domestic we are, no words spoken just enjoying the environment and each other's company.

Walking down the street lined with shops the sky above faded to a light dusty pink from the bright blue, a mix of everyone's outfits from, jeans and t-shirts to trousers and a thick coat. Along with the occasional few men in full tracksuits, everyone with their face masked covering their nose and mouth.

As we walk towards Toy Land we see, palm trees lining the centre of the street, like you imagine to see everywhere in LA, we see a smaller Christmas tree light up but no way near as brightly. It's homely the type of gold red and green you may see in your front room.

Looking at at the yellow retro gas station next to the tree looking at the manic car park as people fight to find spaces.

We walk through a smaller gap to walk through lines of popped-up stalls selling all different types of goodies, and different types of food, it overwhelms your senses smelling burgers, chicken and burgers, crepès and ice cream, and fresh pizza. As we walk around we start to become hungry and I look down at Florence as she looks up at me.

"Food?" She asks and I can see from the light in her eyes she has already picked what she would like.

"Yes, I'm starving" I barely manage to get the rest of my sentence out as she drags me over to a dark wooden stool, with three people working behind the counter black boards lining the sides above and below the open window. The deep smell of slow-cooked meat with apple sauce and cranberry sauce fills my nose I almost start to drool.

As we ate our food I took the time to realise how silent my mind had become, being in a beautiful place with Florence allowed me to relax. We joked and laughed and walked around the shops not actually shopping but seeing frantic faces, worried looks at empty shelves, the relaxed older couples just taking a stroll. The faint sounds of chatter mixed with the background noise of Christmas songs playing through the speakers of stores.

Walking past the Christmas grotto with a line of parents and children standing at the entrance waiting to see Santa, the night before 'he starts his long ride around the world'. Listening to the excited kids talk about how they are going to ask Santa for a bike, an Xbox game, or the new PlayStation.

As we walk around the ring of the bell comes from behind us signalling the tram/trolly, decorated to be highly Christmasy as it crawls down the tracks, painted green with gold accents the large wreath on the front and back decorated with a garland and lights on the top. People in their chairs faces hidden behind phones as they film the journey around the Grove.

It isn't long until Florence and I stop at a small booth to grab hot chocolates with cream towering over the lip of the cup, marshmallows stuck to the cream and slipping due to the eat.

"You know this is nice, not to be recognised and act like a normal human for once, no photographers with no life, no fans screaming for a photo. Just being me." Florence comments licking some of the cream that has fallen down the side of the cup.

"I can imagine it's exhausting it's why I have been glad that I can be myself when I'm in London alone. No one expects me to be 'the media secret' just a random guy in the street" I laugh at Florence as she has cream around her mouth. She smacks me lightly on the chest as we head back to the car.

"You won't have the luxury for too much longer Tom, treasure it while it lasts as soon as your face is on that screen everyone will want a piece of you" She chuckles and puts a lid on the hot chocolate now it's more manageable and I do the same.

"Do you regret becoming an actress?" I ask and she shakes her head.

"No how could I, I get to joke and laugh and be someone completely different to me every day. I can be a spy, A woman trapped in a cult, Lady Macbeth. Do you regret the decisions you have made? Being in the army? Starting your new carer?" She asks me after her eyes light up talking about the roles she has played.

"I try not to regret anything I have done, I sometimes just have different outcomes that would have happened based on my actions and choices" I explain and she nods lightly clearly not wanting to push any further and we almost make it back to the car before a loud bang makes me jump and making me drop my drink.

My hands fly up in defence and it takes me a few seconds to regain myself my eyes closed lightly I take two deep breaths and lower my hands. I look at the floor and see the hot chocolate now splattered on the floor. As I look up to where the noise came from I see a child crying holding a string from what was a balloon that had burst.

I look over to Florence who I just stood there with a smile on her face acting as if it didn't happen handing me the rest of her drink. "He was a spoilt brat anyway he asked for a PS4 and when mum said no he kicked her in the shin, I'm glad he lost his balloon." She explains flicking her hair over her shoulder and grabbing the car keys unlocking the car.

"You don't have to pretend it didn't happen you know," I explain as I open my car door and she slides into her own.

"Oh I know, so are we going back to Scarlett's?" I shake my head lightly
as we buckle our seatbelts. "Want to give me an address of where we are going then, sir?" I smile lightly and type in the address on the car satnav.