The street outside Merlin's Hands felt busy. Sounds mixed together, footsteps rushed by, and ahead a train announced its arrival with a long metallic groan. The station loomed before them, wide and restless, pulling people inside.
They walked side by side, at a relaxed pace.
She did not try to hide, but she didn't introduce herself either. Her hair was simply tied back, her clothes practical for travel, and her expression calm and open. Still, people glanced twice. Then they slowed down. Then they looked again, lingering this time.
She noticed it first and leaned closer to Wayne. "Give it five seconds," she said quietly, amused.
She was almost right.
"Sorry," a young woman said suddenly, stopping in front of them. "I don't mean to stare, but—"
She stopped mid-sentence.
"Oh," she said softly. "Oh my god. You're Amber Stone."
There it was.
Amber laughed, warm and relaxed. "I am," she said. "Hi."
The woman immediately turned to the others with her, grabbed a sleeve, and whispered urgently. There were four of them in total, all obviously traveling together. They had backpacks, a rolling suitcase with scuffed wheels, and jackets tied around their waists. They looked tired yet excited.
"We didn't expect to see you here," one of them said, half-laughing. "I mean, anywhere, but especially here."
"I travel like everyone else," Amber replied. "Just with worse timing."
That made them laugh.
"Would you mind," the woman asked, already pulling out her phone, "an autograph. Or a photo. Or honestly, anything."
"Of course," Amber said.
She took the notebook offered to her and signed it, chatting as she did, asking where they were headed, how long they were staying, whether they had found coffee yet. Wayne watched, smiling faintly, hands in his coat pockets.
That was when the attention shifted.
Anyone who is even slightly social knows who Wayne is. Not because he seeks it, but because his name comes up easily in conversations. Films, interviews, charity events, speeches that made headlines years ago and still get quoted.
One of the group squinted at him. "Wait," he said slowly. "I know you."
Wayne raised an eyebrow. "You probably do," he said lightly.
The man laughed. "Yeah. Yeah, I do."
Another nodded. "Same. You're… wow. I didn't expect both of you."
Wayne shrugged. "Neither did we," he said. "This was meant to be a quiet walk."
"That's gone," Amber said cheerfully, handing back the notebook.
They laughed again. No one asked for more. No one pushed. Instead, they thanked them and stepped aside.
"Good luck with whatever you're doing next," the woman said.
"Thank you," Amber replied. "Enjoy the trip."
As they moved on, Amber exhaled. "That was nice," she said. "No screaming."
Wayne grinned. "We're improving."
They walked toward the station doors together, the noise rising as they got closer. Wayne glanced ahead, then back at her.
"So," he said, more animated now, "once we're through this part, things will get strange."
"I assumed that," Amber replied.
"We'll walk first," he continued. "No meetings right away. I want you to see the grounds properly. The lake. The air's different there."
She smiled. "You sound excited."
"I am," he admitted. "It's been a long time."
"And after that," she prompted.
"We'll eat somewhere quiet," he said. "No rush. Then we see what the day brings."
She nodded. "I like this plan."
They stepped into the station, blending into the flow.
And they walked forward together, ready.