The Tour Guide
Sometimes the best things in life arrive out of the blue just when you least expect it and without making any plans…
Eva hurried along the city pavements clasping the hood of her rain jacket.
Drizzle criss-crossed the shop windows forming patterns on the glass like street maps, and the smell of damp hung in the air.
For a moment, Eva wondered if anyone would actually turn up today.
As she rounded the corner onto East Street her worries dissipated into the grey clouds overhead, the breeze blowing the last of the summer raindrops away.
A small group of tourists were huddled by the park gates.
Bundled up in waterproofs, shorts and walking shoes, they carried rucksacks on their shoulders and takeaway coffee cups in their hands.
Patiently waiting for the arrival of their tour guide, Eva, they cheerfully talked among themselves.
Striding towards them Eva slid back her hood and smoothed down her hair, greeting her newest customers with a confident smile.
“Hello everyone,” she waved a hand, “I’m Eva, and I’ll be your guide on today’s city walking tour. We’ll be taking in the best sights the city has to offer, and hopefully we’ll be treated to a bit of August sunshine and even an ice cream, if we’re lucky.”
Laughter and smiles rippled through the group as they shuffled around puddles on the pavement, gathering together.
“OK,” said Eva breezily. “If we’re all ready, follow me this way.
“First stop: the city’s oldest building.”
Eva had stepped into her job rather unexpectedly. Having been made redundant from her office job and splitting up with her boyfriend, she’d taken the unrequested opportunity to reassess her life.
After spending two miserable weeks at home jobless and lonely, she decided to cheer herself up with a trip to the coffee shop. That’s when she spotted an advert in its window for a city tour guide.
It seemed like the perfect stop-gap.
Getting paid to exercise her feet and lungs in the fresh air while deciding what she really wanted to do with her life.
And talking to people every day would at least go some way to filling the aching loneliness she’d been experiencing.
Eva loved meeting the tour groups, such interesting characters from all over the world.
She felt privileged to be a part of their summer holidays, learning about their backgrounds, culture and lives too.
“How long have you been a tour guide?” asked a man around Eva’s age, as the group made their way back towards the park.
Eva glanced at his wide blue eyes and kind smile, her cheeks momentarily spotting pink.
“Four months. I was made redundant from my office job, and this came along. It was never part of my life plan, that’s for sure, but I actually really enjoy it.”
The man, called Ian, grinned.
“Well you’re doing a great job. I’ve lived in this city for a year now and I’ve learned more about it in the last two hours than I had the entire year.”
Eva blushed. “I’m glad you enjoyed it. Are you taking a holiday from work?”
“A day off in lieu for putting in long hours on a contract we’ve just secured.
“I usually plan my free time, but today I had no idea what to do.
“Booking the tour was a last minute thing.” He smiled. “I’m glad I did. I feel better for getting out and meeting people outside of my usual work world.”
“That’s what I enjoy most – meeting people who I wouldn’t normally meet,” Eva agreed, warming quickly to Ian. “I confess I’ve been worrying a lot lately about not knowing what to do with my life, about not having a plan. I’m really not sure what I’ll do when my seasonal contract finishes.”
Ian smiled, nodding his understanding.
“I was in the same position as you before I took my job here in the city.”
Eva looked surprised. “Really?”
“Really. My relationship had broken down. I went travelling abroad for a few months, not knowing what to do or where to go when I returned home.” He smiled at Eva.
“And then suddenly a recruitment company got in touch with me by email during my last week of travelling, asking if I’d be interested in a new job here.”
“And it’s worked out for you?”
“So far, so good. I love my job and I’ve made some great work friends.”
“So sometimes not having a plan can still work out well anyway?”
“Sometimes the best things happen when you least expect it.”
They shared a smile, holding each other’s gaze for a moment.
Reaching the park gates the sun glowed strong and the group wished each other well for the rest of their holidays. Shyly, Ian passed his business card to Eva before waving goodbye.
Turning the card over, her heart danced along his scribbled message:
Great meeting you today, Eva. I wondered, if you don’t have any plans, maybe we could meet for a coffee and walk again soon?
Our My Weekly Favourites series of feel-good fiction from our archives continues on Mondays and Thursdays. Look out for the next one.
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