By the time I’ve stalked the high street and laden myself with bags labelled with every shop logo from Zara to the Disney store, I’m closer to Bond Street Station than Oxford Circus, so amble clumsily down the stairs and stagger to the barrier, where I’m stopped by a familar face.

“Zak!” I cheer, dropping the bags instantly and flopping into his hug. “Thank God you’re here: I need your storage space.”
Zak laughs and pushed me back onto my feet. “Sure,” he replies. “How long for?”
I feel my face squirming as I thought how the answer could easily be Forever. “Err… Just for tonight, I think. I’ll pick them up at your next shift…” I gesture for him to reveal the details.
“Nine a.m. till one.”
I grin and give him a massive hug before skipping off, looking back to see him laughing after me and pulling my armada of bags into the ‘Staff Only’ door. I wonder when I’d see that smile again, but cast the thought from my mind as I run through the maze of corridors to the Circle station.