The oak tree falls 1/10

Joan leaned forward eagerly looking out of the cab window. Her uncle had just told her that she should be able to see the hotel where they were going to stay during her holiday. Sure enough, just coming into sight round a bend in the road, was the tallest building she’d ever seen.

“Fifty stories high and we’re going to be right at the very top,” he said, “the views from up there must be wonderful!”

The hover cab stopped and settled down onto its legs with a sigh from the air cushion. Nothing else happened for a moment or two, until her uncle had finished paying the driver. Then the door and the boot lid opened, allowing the passengers to get out and remove their luggage.

The hotel doorman called for one of the porters to carry everything into the foyer, where Joan waited while her uncle confirmed the booking and was given the keys to their room.

The rooms themselves turned out to be everything that she’d been promised. There was a balcony outside the sitting room, which not only ran along the front, but also disappeared round the corner.

Joan went outside to have a look round. They were right on one corner at the top of the hotel, in one direction she could look out over the town and just see the sea in the distance, while round the corner there were fewer buildings to be seen, but the sea was very much closer. Her uncle closed the wardrobe door just as she went back inside.

“It’s a lovely view out there just like you promised, I can see the sea from both sides of the balcony, it almost seems that we’re on an island.”

“Quite right my dear, we had to spend two days on a large steamer getting here. I expect you’re glad to be ashore again, you spent most of your time in the cabin being seasick! We’ll have to go out this afternoon and get you some new clothes,” he continued, “you won’t be able to change very often with what you’ve brought with you. Fortunately there’s lots of shops near here, so there should be plenty of choice.”

He gave her a quick look up and down. “You need a hair cut as well; we can get that done at the same time.”

He held her hand and together they went down to the hotel restaurant, for a quick bite to eat before going out shopping.

Uncle had a quick word with the hotel receptionist before they left the building. “The lady on the desk says there’s a hairdresser and a clothes shop within a hundred yards if we turn right.”

The hairdresser’s happened to be the first shop they came to, so they popped in and Joan’s uncle described the change of style he was looking for, to the lady in charge.

“I’ve got to go out on a business trip for an hour or so, this lady will take you to the clothes shop when she’s finished doing your hair. It’s just as well anyway, because I’m not very well up on the sort of thing young ladies wear these days. I’ll see you back at the hotel in time for the evening meal. Enjoy your shopping trip, then tomorrow we’ll go sight seeing.”

He gave her a big grin and waved goodbye as he turned and left the shop.