CHAPTER 79 - THE VISIT ---- CAPÍTULO 79 - LA VISITA

They paid for breakfast, went up to their rooms to collect their belongings, and by a quarter to eight they were standing outside the hotel. Gibraltar had already been awake for hours. From Europa Road the whole bay could be seen, with the Britannia already visible in the distance, advancing at a leisurely pace.

“There it is,” said Elfie.

“And John will already be at the quay,” said Margot.

They walked down Main Street. The street was almost unrecognisable: every balcony, every window and every lamppost was draped with Union Jack flags and bunting fluttering in the morning breeze. The pavements were already crowded with families and children waving little flags. During the night, the shop windows had been decorated with portraits of the Queen, coats of arms, and red, white and blue ribbons. Every doorway, every step, every corner of Main Street was occupied by someone who did not want to miss a thing.

The three of them made their way slowly downhill, weaving through the crowd, which grew denser the further they descended. Charlotte, Elfie and Margot greeted acquaintances as they went, among them almost the entire Smith clan, who joined them on their way to Casemates.

When they arrived, Andrew was already there.

                                        

                                            ************

Pagaron el desayuno, subieron a sus habitaciones a recoger sus cosas y a las ocho menos cuarto estaban en la puerta del hotel. Gibraltar ya estaba en pie desde hacía horas. Desde Europa Road se veía la bahía entera, con el Britannia ya visible en la distancia, avanzando con parsimonia.

─Ahí está ─dijo Elfie. 

─Y John estará ya en el muelle ─dijo Margot.

Bajaron por Main Street. La calle estaba irreconocible: cada balcón, cada ventana, cada farola lucía banderas y guirnaldas de Union Jacks que ondeaban con la brisa de la mañana. Las aceras estaban ya llenas de familias con niños que agitaban banderitas. Los escaparates de las tiendas habían sido decorados durante la noche con retratos de la Reina, escudos y lazos rojos, blancos y azules. Cada portal, cada escalón, cada recoveco de Main Street estaba ocupado por alguien que no quería perderse nada.

Las tres bajaban despacio, abriéndose paso entre la multitud que se espesaba a medida que descendían. Charlotte, Elfie y Margot saludaban a los conocidos que se iban encontrando, entre ellos los primos Smith casi en pleno, que se agregaron en su camino hasta Casemates.

Cuando llegaron, Andrew ya estaba allí.