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TWO: London City Airport

I stared at the boy for a while. He noticed, because he started to fiddle with his fingers. "I mean, of course you don't have to! But I saw you missed your train and I thought maybe I could help you out, you know..." he stopped talking and looked at his shoes, unsure of his words. "Okay." I told him, not wanting to disappoint him.

"I suppose you didn't bring a car with you, considering you couldn't possibly reach the break pedal and I don't see anyone around here that would've driven you here." I added when I saw a smile about to break through on the kid's face.

The upcoming smile fell and he flushed slightly red at my words, "Well... no, but I'll have you know that I'm taller than most boys in my class." He said defensively.

"Good for you, kid." He scoffed at my use of the pejorative word. "Now where is that ride of yours?" I asked casually, looking around mockingly looking for any signs of a car in the underground.

The boy looked up at me in annoyance. "Come on. Follow me!" he said and darted off. I sighed once again and followed him.

Thomas kept looking back now and then, checking to see if I was still following him. When he saw that I was, he nodded to himself in approval.

By now we had left the station and I was still following the boy who confidently trotted on the populous streets of London.

***

After about ten minutes of walking we arrived at our apparent destination. It was a small apartment building. We climbed the stairs to the first floor and walked all the way to the end of the hallway.

Thomas knocked on the door two times. After a couple of seconds it opened to the face of a woman who looked to be in her end-thirties. She was a stunning brunette with the warmest chocolate eyes. There was no doubt in my mind that this boy wasn't related to her. She smiled at the sight of him, then looked at him questioningly when she spotted me standing behind him.

It was then that I noticed that I hadn't even introduced myself to either one yet. "Hello ma'am. My name is Sara Howard. Pleasure to meet you." I told the host, not missing a beat and stepping forward to shake hands, thereby helping out the boy who seemed to have lost his tongue. He smiled at me gratefully.

My decision to give these people a fake name didn't mean that I don't trust them, in fact, I don't even know these people, but since I was here undercover it just seemed best to use the name I had been using during this trip altogether. Which in this case happened to be Sara Howard.

She took my hand and shook it lightly. "I'm Ava Goodwin. Pleasure is mine. Please, do come in." she told me while opening the door invitingly. I followed her and her son inside and looked around. Everything looked very neat and I supposed that the lady of the house constantly took good care of it.

It seemed that Thomas found his tongue back, "Miss Howard missed her train and I believe it is entirely my fault, mum. Can we help her out?"

Mrs. Goodwin looked twisted. "I think that's very kind, sweetheart, that you've offered her a ride. But have you forgotten that I sold the car a few weeks ago?" I could feel the ambiance become tense at the topic. Thomas looked dejected. His mother noticed, "Well, I could always ask the neighbours to lend us their car..." she stopped and looked at me. I nodded, "I would very much appreciate that."

"Okay. I'll be back in just a minute. Please sit down, honey." She told me while pointing at the couch, "Why don't you offer Miss Howard a drink, Thomas." I sat down as she instructed her son to get me something to drink while she left the apartment.