I travelled to London Heathrow by plane with no ID, no money, and no phone.

I did not go through arrivals after I disembarked the plane. Instead I crossed the tarmac to the Thames and followed the cobbled path along the river into town. My newly wed companion (for whom I had been bridesmaid) accompanied me part of the way. I’m not sure where I lost her, but she was no longer at my side when I reached the first tube station.

By now I had tired of walking, but how could I pay a tube fare? I asked the man at the counter what I should do, and he passed an illicit ticket to me through his window.

The first person that I saw underground was SW. She was on her way to work (still, despite her advanced years).