I try to be quick, loading all of my possessions into the trays and passing them through the X-rays before presenting my passport to the female officer. Without so much as a word, she ticks some boxes on my ticket and places a loud stamp on my passport before handing it back to me. The enthusiastic Eurostar helper is by my side after I collect my things, leading me down a set of stairs towards the platform.
"Right this way, madame." The employee, whose name badge tells me is 'Greg,' gestures for me to board the train after him. I'm not the first one on board, as there are a couple of men in suits sitting around a table with laptops open in front of them, engrossed in conversation. Greg leads me past them a few rows to a large, comfy-looking seat next to a large window. There is a small compartment beside my seat that Greg rolls and secures my bag into as I take my seat.
"Is there anything I can get for you?" Greg asks as I settle into the seat. "Tea, coffee, something a little stronger?" he gives me a little cheeky grin and shrugs his shoulders.
"Uh, a latte would be wonderful, thank you so much," I reply before he hurries off, leaving me to get myself settled. This is so not my typical environment; everything feels very regal and fancy even though we are on a train, where I normally feel at home as I squeeze myself into the stuffy, overpacked carriages. Now I have a seat that reclines and a menu with items I have never even heard of, plus a section that includes caviar.
Rhodes really does go all out when he travels, even if it's only for a few hours. I should have offered to pay for my ticket to go and see him instead of just letting him organise everything. I take out my phone as well as the charger and plug it into the port by the armrest and send him a text.
"On train, thank you for the lovely seat and for organising everyone to help me x."
Greg places down the coffee in front of me as the phone buzzes on the table beside it.
Rhodes 💖