No room

From the station, we took a taxi down to one of the streets off Leith Walk, where it seems like every other house is a guest house or hotel.

Except of course, because we were looking for somewhere, there was nothing available.

We must have seen every possible variation on the No Vacancies sign as we trudged along the street. At one point, I thought a neon sign actually flicked from VACANCIES to NO VACANCIES - though Kate seemed to think this was my imagination.

I was tempted to point out her tendency to be a bit too scientific and analytical, but something told me this wasn't going to help.

"Can't believe this," I said. "Surely there must be somewhere round here?"

"Well, I haven't seen it if there is," replied Kate, in a tone that suggested she was just about holding on to her patience. "Is there some event on, do you know? Some festival or other?"

This being Edinburgh, that's usually a good bet - but I couldn't think of anything.

"Bloody tourists," I muttered. When there's nothing else, you can always blame the tourists.

"Yes, well. Remember that's what we're meant to be, OK?" said Kate. "Come on, let's try in here. Don't look at me like that - I know it says they're full. I just thought we could ask if they can recommend anywhere. Sometimes places like this have arrangements with other guest houses."

"No, that's not a bad idea. I was looking at that sign. I mean, who spells 'tonight' like that? 'To-night'?"

She sighed.

"What? It's not easy being this pedantic, you know."



Story begins here.