Page 58 of Only One Tour Bus

“And let me know if you have any questions.” I make the offer, but I’m looking at Asha when I say it, not the group. I did it to help her since she should still be recovering and not answering never-ending questions. Giving the same information to about ten different people can be surprisingly draining.

But even as I make the offer, I still hope they don’t take me up on it.

“We’ll meet back here at five so we can get to Paris and have our group meal tonight.” Asha gets off the bus first and hands out tickets as people pass.

I wait until everyone is off the bus before getting off myself, needing a few extra minutes away from Asha’s presence. A few more minutes to remember this is a work trip for us and we are not on vacation. Doing what I want would not be professional behavior.

Outside, the group is congregating around Asha, even though they should be exploring independently. I start answering some of their questions. Well, the ones I can pry away from Asha, who cling to her like she’s their safety blanket.

If I were to subscribe to the ridiculous notion that they are our tour children, they most certainly favor their tour mother over their tour father.

Finally, we’re down to the final people wanting answers.

“I just want to say I’m so glad you’re feeling better. And don’t worry, I won’t let it affect the review at the end of the trip for the one job,” Charlotte says.

“Thank you.” Asha smiles, but then she processes what Charlotte said. “Wait. What one job?”

“The owner, I think Rod, sent an email saying that only one of you was going to keep the job at the end of the trip, and that we should fill out forms throughout the trip to help him decide who. Honestly, you’ve both been great. I’m glad I’m not the one making this decision.”

We both freeze, looking at each other.

This is a new development.

CHAPTER 25

ASHA

I break eye contact with Callum first. I looked at him to see if he knew anything about this, but he looks as shocked as me.

Regardless, we’re both professionals, and I have a tour baby to take care of.

“Oh, yeah. The one job. I remember that now.” As if I could forget this is an interview after I’ve already worked for the company for five years. As if I could forget if I could be out of a job in the imminent future. And it’s not like I have money saved. Who can save in this economy?

The only reason I can even afford to live is because Edinburgh is cheaper than London and my studio is the size of a shoebox. And more like a shoebox for flats, not clunky heels or platforms, and definitely not the luxury of a shoebox for boots.

“I hope you have a great day at Versailles.” I smile, but it feels hollow to me; I can’t imagine what it looks like to others.

I’m uncharacteristically short with the rest of the group, and while I feel bad, I just want them to leave so I can figure out what’s happening.

Finally, finally, the last tourists walk through the golden gates.

“Did you know about this?” I can guess the answer from the shock on his face, but I still need to hear it. Maybe his face is a liar. Lying in a way his mouth might not be able to.

“No,” Callum says, running a hand through his already wild hair. “Fecking Rob. Bloody arsehole.”

“I can’t believe one of us is going to lose their job at the end of this. I didn’t think we were that bad as tour guides.”

“We’re not.” Now Callum is looking livid. “And compared to the rest of the tour guides, we’re candidates for the Nobel Prize for touring. If that were a thing that existed.”

“We have to call him and ask. Maybe Charlotte misunderstood?”

“We can’t just ask.”

“Don’t we have a right to know?”

“He didn’t tell us directly, but he told the guests. I don’t think he wants us to know.”

“He told all the clients, knowing it would probably get out. He just doesn’t want to deal with us directly if we did know, more like. And who cares what he wants, anyway?”