Page 100 of Only One Tour Bus

“Don’t worry about yourself. The reviews so far show you two about even, but then there are the negative reviews from the parents who weren’t happy when you two were sitting down instead of looking for their children. But I know that was all Asha with her love of fun when she should have been working.”

Callum is silent for too long and I don’t give him any longer to think of a response to that. I don’t like confrontation, but this is ridiculous. And if traveling with Callum these past weeks has taught me anything, it’s that I won’t break if I stand up to someone. Clients, employers, Callum; I deserve to have my say.

“Well, my ears weren’t burning, so that old wives’ tale must be bullshit.” I march into the room with all the enthusiasm of kid-Asha walking into calculus class every day. “My idea is not bad, but that’s not really the point right now.”

Both men jump up from their seats, looking as guilty as children caught with their hands firmly in the cookie jar. And it’s right before dinner to boot, a dinner I spent all day cooking.

“Rob, let’s not beat around the bush. What did the reviews say?”

Rob clears his throat, not so confident now that I’m in the room. “Asha, so good to⁠—”

“What did the reviews say?” If I have to listen to more bullshit from him, I will scream. I just want the relevant information.

Rob picks up some papers. “Asha, they liked your enthusiasm and the way you took care of them, and how you made everything fun even when they weren’t feeling their best. Callum, they thought you were very knowledgeable in history and appreciated that you had lists of things they could do. They felt that both of your tours were entertaining and full of information. Then there was the incident with the kids, but even those parents didn’t give that bad of a review, considering.”

That sounds like things we already knew. “So who scored the least, or who did they recommend you fire?”

“Well, actually. The consensus is that they didn’t want to decide, and they thought you both made excellent guides, especially when you work together. They recommended that we do partner tours, although we could never afford that.”

“Asha is a great guide. This isn’t necessary, I—” Callum says.

“Then who are you firing?” I don’t let Callum finish. I have things to say.

I would quit right now, which would be emotionally satisfying, but I don’t know how that would affect eligibility for unemployment in the UK. Because it would in the US, and I’m not taking that risk. If he wants to fire me, he can do that, and I can have a safety net for when I’m looking for a job.

Pride is great, but I also like food. And shelter. And novelty purses.

“It’s a complicated⁠—”

“I think it’s not. I think you’ve made up your mind who to fire before this tour left Edinburgh. And that’s fine. A few more weeks of pay certainly won’t hurt me. But I’m not going to sit here while you drag this out or talk behind my back. So let’s go.” I cross my arms and attempt to look stern.

Talking like that to the boss can’t be the smartest move, but I doubt it matters. He’s never been my biggest fan. Really, I should have known it was going to be me before now. I would have if I wasn’t so distracted by Callum.

I studiously avoid looking at Callum, not able to handle the personal on top of the professional right now. Or having to deal with his disregard for me, when I thought we were moving to a place where we could respect and appreciate each other’s differences.

Apparently not. I’m always going to be naive, silly, avoiding confrontation, walk-all-over-her Asha.

“We’re letting you go, Asha.”

“Thought so. Do you need me to sign anything?”

“Yes, you can sign this.” Rob turns a paper around so I can read it. “And here’s your last check.”

That all takes time to get together. As in he had to start this entire process before I left, or at least partway through the tour. Switzerland, at the latest. I never stood a chance.

I’m not even sad. The rage pulsing through me is pushing anything else out of the way. Which is fine, because I would rather deal with rage right now than sadness. A rather useless emotion.

“Great.” I sign the one-page paper letting me know about the termination and take the copy, along with my last check. “Have a nice life.”

I push back out of the room without looking at Callum and fly down the stairs, bursting into the cool Scottish afternoon.

“Wait, Asha,” Callum yells from behind me.

I walk faster instead.

“Please, Asha.”

The please almost breaks me, but I stay strong and keep my strides long, wanting to avoid a confrontation one last time. Which is less helpful when Callum’s strides are even longer than mine. He catches up before I make it to the intersection, and then surpasses me, turning and walking backward when I refuse to stop.