Sunday 24 April 2016

Julia, Mara and Sara

It was around 4am, Sunday. On Cambridge Circus I was approached by five Italian ladies. Despair in their eyes was conspicuous. "We need a loo! WE NEED A LOO!" - they informed me dramatically... I admit women don't have it easy here... In central London there are some dispersed urinals, brought over each weekend. They are not designed for women, though... Another significant inconvenience is created by the fact that about 99% of premises around West End get shut by 3am, every night. As usual, things we need the most are, actually,  the hardest to obtain by the time we would give anything to get them... The ladies were, clearly, uncomfortable. One of them tried again. "Please, can you do anything to help us?" - she begged. "What can I do?" - I shrugged - "If you want I can spread my blanket and hold it up, while you are peeing behind it..." - I laughed. "Should we really do it?" - she addressed the remaining girls, immediately. "Do what?" - they looked at her. "He can hold a blanket for us and we can pee behind it!" OMG! We all laughed so hard! It was, definitely, the time for a bit of improvisation. "Listen ladies! You are five women. Just go there" - I showed them a dark back street - "and I'm sure you will be fine!" They listened to the voice of reason and off they went. I started to chat with Tomek aka Banderas. After a while three of the Italian ladies somehow materialised next to me, again. There were grinning widely, visibly relieved. "Success?" - It was rather obvious. "Oh yeah! We peed behind a big lorry!" - they declared proudly. "Could you take us back to our hostel in Bayswater, please?" We agreed a price, they embarked and we hit the road. Soon we passed a big lorry. Giggling they indicated a paddle on the floor next to it and it was impressive. They introduced themselves as Julia, Mara and Sara and were a great company, indeed! I got a £10 tip, when they realised how far I took them. It was very, very nice to meet them and I wish all my lifts were as pleasant!