she turned twenty-one, Amy might change her name. You could pay money and choose a new name. Aunty Viv said it cost about fifty dollars. It just depended how she felt about being Amy then. Perhaps she might become Stormy Night or Sherlock-ina or something more interesting. At school, there was a girl called Sahara. Having a desert named after you was ace.
‘Dr Al, my name’s Stan, ‘ interrupted the man with the yellow and orange striped leggings. Stan was pushy. Immediately you knew he was going to say something about his own name. And he did.
‘Stanley was a famous explorer in Africa,’ said Stan, tugging at Dr Al’s arm.
‘True,’ said Dr Al. For a famous person, he listened a lot. But unless you walked away from Stan, you had to listen.
Dr Al stood listening politely to Stan rave on about himself, himself and himself until Zoe rescued him. She was checking on people’s packs and personalities. Guides were paid to be friends, even to bores like Stan.
‘Warm gear which dries quickly is good.’ Zoe changed the subject.
‘Cotton T-shirts get wet and you get cold. Wool dries quickly.’
‘I’ve got cotton T shirts too,’ said Stan eagerly. ‘As well as my yellow leggings.’
‘What a dork!’ thought Amy.
Stan stroked his chin which needed a shave. ‘Designer stubble will keep me warm too. Whiskers don’t weigh much.’ Stan looked at Amy expecting her to laugh. Amy realised Stan thought he’d made a joke.
Then, as Stan counted his money into his bum bag, he dropped his passport. The pages fluttered open.
Christopher picked it up.’ Here you are,’ The pages had opened at the photograph.
As usual, Christopher glanced at the picture. Then he took another look. It was not Stan’s photo in the passport! The face was much rounder and had a thick beard and glasses.
‘Thanks.’ Quickly Stan zipped the passport into his bum bag.
‘That was yours, wasn’t it?’ asked Christopher quickly.
‘Of course,’ Stan gave him a strange look. ‘Luckily we won’t need papers for the next four days. Or money. Away from everything.’
Was he pretending to be someone else?
Christopher decided to watch Stan very closely.
And who was the Loser who had owned the map with the crosses?
As they walked, Amy was determined to check out those spots.
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