Chapter 15
Job over, Nicks managed to get a late booking and flew from Bucharest’s Henri Coandă airport in Otopeni. He could’ve taken a more direct flight but preferred to blur his intentions.
From Liszt Ferenc, Budapest, it was a route and routine he knew only too well. Bus and train into the city, emerging at Keleti, a kávé or two from a kiosk close to the entrance, smokes, playlist and city life.
In the side corridor first-class compartment he’d sat alone as familiar sights trundled by. After two hours, he tried reading but couldn’t concentrate, the words becoming meaningless. He adjusted the seat, leaned back and drifted off; only waking when the Hungarian border guard shook him, with a glare that could strip paint off a door.
It was close to midnight when he stepped down to the platform. Despite his telling her not to, she was there, waiting as always. The thank you, the tears, the coffee and the plans.
Tomorrow promised to be a lovely day for a cycle ride through the neighbouring villages and maybe a picnic at the little public garden on the hill in Paleu, she told him, with a smile. She looked more beautiful than ever.