The bus wound its way south through Kentish Town and Camden, and the whole while Frank chatted nonstop. Libby could tell how anxious he was, and she asked questions andtried to be as reassuring as possible. Dylan sat across the aisle from them, staring the other way like a moody teenager.
“What has got into you today, Dylan?” Frank asked as they reached Euston Road. “Have you had another fight with your dad?”
“Nah, I’m fine,” Dylan said. “Look, boss, I know this is all very exciting. But can you prepare yourself for—”
“I know what you’re going to say and I don’t want to hear it,” Frank interrupted.
“But—”
“No, Dylan. I understand it’s your job to care for my physical needs, but my emotional needs are different. So for once can you please stop fussing and let me enjoy my moment?”
Dylan looked as though he was about to say something but stopped himself.
They rode on in silence, each of them looking out of the bus window. This was the first time Libby had ridden the 88 into town since that fateful day when she and Frank had gone to Trafalgar Square. Now she saw that all the yellow posters were gone, having been either taken down or washed away by the recent rainstorms, all evidence of her and Dylan’s endeavors removed. Libby glanced across at Dylan, but he was staring forward and wouldn’t meet her eye. Blinking away her disappointment, she turned back to look out the window. As she did, she noticed a sole yellow poster attached to a lamppost. They must have taped that one really well for it to have survived this long. And as the bus pulled forward, Libby saw another one, and then a third, all of them in pristine condition. She sat up in her seat, confused. And then—
“Sunny!” Libby shouted so loudly that Frank jerked next toher. She leaned across him and banged on the window, trying to get the attention of a man standing at the bus stop, his back to them as he secured a poster to the shelter.
“Is that him?” Frank said. “Sunny!” And he too banged on the glass.
Sunny turned around and looked up then, his face splitting into a grin when he saw Libby and Frank. He disappeared from view, and a moment later Libby heard the sound of footsteps running up the stairs.
“Libby! Frank! Oh, and Dylan too!” Sunny said as he reached them. “How fortunate to see you again.”
“Sunny, what on earth are you doing?” Libby said, laughing as the young man slid into a seat behind them.
“Well, to tell you the truth, I have been putting up some more of these posters on my lunch breaks. I know you did not ask me to, Libby, but I photocopied some more at work. Are you angry?”
“Of course we’re not angry,” Frank said, reaching out and patting Sunny’s arm. “It’s so good to see you again, my dear boy. And you look so much jollier than when I last saw you.”
“Oh, yes, life is much better now, thank you,” Sunny said. “I am so happy to see you too, Frank. When Libby and Dylan told me about your search, I was overjoyed. I have never forgotten your story about the woman on the bus.”
“Well, you’ll never guess who we’re off to meet now,” Frank said.
“What?” Sunny’s eyes went wide. “No!”
“Yes, we found her!” Frank laughed at the expression on Sunny’s face. “Her friend saw a poster and told her. Perhaps it was one of the posters you put up, Sunny?”
“Oh, I am so pleased for you, Frank,” Sunny said, and Libbycould see the genuine delight in his face. “You deserve this happy ending; you really do. Where are you meeting her?”
“At the Oxford Circus bus stop,” Frank said.
“Speaking of which,” Libby said as the bus curved around the edge of All Saints Church toward Regent Street. She pulled out her phone. “I need to text Mrs.Stokes and let her know we’re arriving.”
Next to her, she heard Frank inhale sharply.
“This is really about to happen, isn’t it?”
“How are you feeling, Frank?” Sunny said.
“Excited... and terrified. I’ve spent so long waiting for this moment, I can’t believe it’s really here.”
The bus had stopped at traffic lights. Up ahead, they could see the bus stop on the left-hand side. Libby’s eyes scanned the passengers waiting to board. There was one older lady, who was short with silvery white hair, leaning on a walking stick for support. Her eyes were fixed on the bus as it approached.
“Do you think that is her?” Sunny said.
“It must be.” Libby turned to Frank, who was suddenly looking very pale. “Are you okay?”
“Yes. I...” His voice cracked and he faltered. “What if I get confused, Libby? What if I say the wrong thing or have one of my funny turns?”
