Strangers in Company Read Online Free Page A

season.” This was the woman across the aisle fromMarian, a conspicuous figure in scarlet and black. Beyond her, a harassed-looking husband muttered something soothing.
    Up front, the golden girl took no notice. “Mercury Tours will, naturally, compensate you for any inconvenience,” she went on. “The hotel porter will arrange taxis for anyone wishing to visit the centre of town, and Mercury Tours will be happy to repay the small expense involved. Coming back, of course, you will be in the Hotel Hermes as arranged.” She replaced the microphone in its bracket and sat down, turning her back on a rising tide of weary grumbles. In the seat behind her, Mr. Cairnthorpe was fast asleep.
    â€œOh, well.” Marian was resigned now to being awake. “I don’t see that it makes much difference. I know I’m going to sleep all morning, and we’ve got Sounion this afternoon.” Her tone sounded disconcertingly like the one she had used when breaking bad news to the twins. It was odd to be so sure that the silent girl beside her was seething inwardly.
    â€œMuddle!” was all she said, hunching a shoulder to stare out the window at suburban buildings, strange and ugly in pitiless morning light. The streets were waking up now. A black-clad woman emptied a bucket of water across the pavement; girls in blue uniforms loitered towards an uncompromising modern building that must be a school. A small boy waved vigorously from a window.
    Across the aisle of the bus, the woman in scarlet and black settled an unfortunate hat more firmly over her ears. “Alexander Avenue?” she asked. “Where in heaven’s name’s that?”
    â€œIt’s not too bad.” Her husband had produced a map. “See!”
    â€œBut it’s miles,” she wailed. “Way over beyond Lykabetos. I told you we shouldn’t have booked for the first tour.”
    â€œAnd I told you it was the only time I could get away.” It was obviously not the first time he had said it.
    â€œIt’s a bit much.” She leaned across the aisle toaddress Marian. “You’ve not been here before? Well, the Hermes Hotel’s right in the centre of everything, by Omonia Square. There’s a shop there—I meant to go in this morning and get some espadrilles. For the ruins, you know. It’s as much as your life’s worth to try do to them in heels.” She looked down for a moment from her old-fashioned stilettos to Marian’s neat, light walking shoes. “You’ve been sensible, I can see.” It was more criticism than praise. “I don’t know what in the world I’m going to do. I must have my sleep.” She turned on her husband. “What am I going to do, George?”
    â€œI told you to bring the old ones.” His voice was weary as he refolded the map. “Sunday morning it would likely be closed anyway.”
    â€œOh, nothing closes here.” She sounded uncertain for the first time. “Look!” She leaned forwards. “There’s that temple. The one we never got to see.” It was his fault.
    â€œThe Temple of Zeus.” He unfolded the map again. “We’re going on the other side of it. See. Along King Constantine Street.”
    â€œI wonder they don’t change the name, now they’ve thrown him out.”
    â€œI rather think that was a different king,” he said mildly, but she took no notice.
    â€œLooks like we’re going to be clear over at the wrong end of Alexander Avenue.” She had seized the map. “See!” She turned her back on her husband to pass the map across to Marian. “Miles from anywhere.” And then, momentarily distracted, she peered past Marian and Stella. “Look! There’s the modern stadium. Isn’t it splendid?” And, an obvious connection, “I suppose I’ll just have to wear my heels till I can find some espadrilles.”
    â€œWould