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I wander the streets of New York, enjoying the sensation of being in a new city, on a different continent. I think back over everything that has happened since I spotted Inez on the bridge, and while I’m sad that I have to leave that strange, magical other world, I’m delighted that I got to experience as much as I did.
I’d love to explore. There are lots of places I want to see, Central Park, the High Line, the Brooklyn Bridge, the Statue of Liberty, but time is pressing and it would be wrong to act like a tourist when Inez is in danger.
I decide to head straight to the Empire State Building, and stop to ask someone for directions, which is when I remember that they can’t see or hear me.
I scowl, wondering what to do. I could look for a map, but that’s an ordinary solution to the problem, and I don’t want to do this the ordinary way. I want to taste a bit more weirdness before the adventure is over.
I spot a man wearing a sandwich board and handing out leaflets, trying to drive people to a local restaurant. I walk up behind him, then say in a hushed voice, “You want to go to the Empire State Building. You need to go to the Empire State Building right now. You...”
I stop when the man turns to look at me.
“What’s your problem?” he growls.
I gawp at him.
“You trying to pull some dumb trick?” he barks.
I gulp and try a shaky smile. “Sorry. I got lost. I’m supposed to meet my dad in front of the Empire State Building. I meant to ask you to please show me the way, but I guess it came out wrong.”
“It sure did,” the man huffs, but his expression mellows. “You want me to call a cop, kid?”
“No, that’s OK,” I say quickly.
“You sure? New York’s a dangerous place for a boy on his own.”
“I’m not on my own,” I lie. “I’m with my mum and dad. Mum’s off shopping – Macy’s, I think – but Dad’s waiting for me. Our hotel is close to Times Square. He gave me a map, with the route marked, but I dropped it.”
“Where you from?” the man asks.
“London.”
“London, England?”
“Yes.”
“You English are a funny lot,” he laughs. “I wouldn’t let no kid of mine off by himself in a strange city, map or no map. But I guess that’s how you guys conquered the world, huh? Fearless explorers.”
I smile politely.
“It’s not far anyway,” the man says. “This is 36th and 9th. Carry on down to 34th.” He points me in the right direction. “Swing a left and keep going till you get to 5th. Turn right and you’re there.”
“Great,” I beam. “Thanks for your help.”
“Hey, that’s what our special relationship is all about, right?”
I’ve no idea what that means, but I nod and say, “Right.”
“Hey,” he stops me as I start to walk past, “can you do me a favour in return?”
“What?” I ask warily.
“Can you take one of these?” he says, passing me a leaflet. “Twenty percent off if you wanna come here later with your old man.”