Beijing Private Eyes - Part 8 Fight or Flight (Finale)

The sun was up already and the light played on his closed eyelids as Mark slowly drifted into consciousness. He felt wonderfully warm and comfortable. He lay on his left side, his chest against Evie’s back and their legs intertwined. His arm was draped over her hip.

“Mark,” she whispered “are you awake?”

“Uhh.” he mumbled sleepily.

“Umm. I just wanted to say that I couldn’t think of anyone I’d rather be locked up and held hostage with.”

“Thanks” he replied, “me neither.”
 

 

 

Airport in fog, Taiyuan, China  (Photo: M Griffiths)

Beijing Private Eyes - Part 7 Cold Storage

They woke up with throbbing heads, Evie lying on a rough wooden bed and Mark on a mat on the floor. Both were dressed only in shirts and underwear.

     “Where are we?” Evie muttered, sitting up and looking around the room.

 

Apartment view through security bars, Taiyuan, China  (Photo: M Griffiths)

 

Beijing Private Eyes - Part 6 On the Road

Mark was dozing in the chair when Evie rolled over and groaned. Light streamed around the edges of the curtain. Outside birds chirped and cars tooted.

“Oh God. My head hurts.” Evie said.

“Let me get you some painkillers.” Mark pushed himself up out of the chair and came back with some paracetamol. She popped two and swallowed them with water and lay her head down on the pillow again.

       She opened her eyes and looked at his rumpled clothes. “Have you been there all night?”

“Yeah. I wanted to make sure you were ok.”

“It wasn’t necessary you know.” she said closing her eyes.

 
 

 Street stalls, Shanghai (Photo: M Griffiths)

 
 

Beijing Private Eyes - Part 5 Party Time

With Evie out at the karaoke bar Mark did some washing, tried to practise the guitar, then learn some Chinese vocabulary but nothing could stop his mind from wandering. Finally he sat down, fired up his laptop...

Chinese costumes (Photo: M Griffiths)

 

Beijing Private Eyes - Part 4 Ancient History

Mei moved one seat over next to Mark and said, “You like her don’t you?”

 “Well, yeah, sure, she’s nice. But I’m just helping her out for a week or so. Nothing else to it.”

“Are you sure?”

Dragon, Jinci Temple, Taiyuan, China (Photo: M. Griffiths)

Beijing Private Eyes - Part 3 Room Service

The next morning, in the middle of shooting the second short scene of the day a commotion erupted. “Mr Zhang is here!” said Lily. Zhang entered the studio. He was medium height, about 40, and slightly chubby in the face and around the waist line. Evidently his success had started to have an effect. He made his way to Evie and held out his hand. She extended hers and Zhang raised it to his lips kissing it lightly and holding it as he spoke.

 Tian'anmen, Beijing (Photo. M Griffiths)

Beijing Private Eyes - Part 2 Lights, Camera...

“How did you sleep?” Mark asked.

“Brilliant thanks. The bed was fine. I feel a million times better.” Evie said looking around. “This is a nice place.”

“Thanks."

Yungang Caves, Datong, China (Photo: M Griffiths)

 

Beijing Private Eyes - Part 1 Arrival

Drama, Romance, Karaoke!   A long story in 8 parts.


The tall blonde woman strode through the airport dressed in black leather and high heel boots. She was on a mission and in no mood for delays. She scanned the arrival hall and spotted her name held up by a small Chinese man dressed in a nondescript blue jacket, dark pants and back slip-ons. She walked toward him and he lowered the sign. He pointed to the exit and she followed him out to the door of a black SUV parked illegally over a pedestrian crossing.

Temple Wall, Wutai Shan, China. (Photo: M Griffiths)