#serviced apartments central london

[presidentialapartmentslondon]

Presidential Serviced Apartments Central London

Discover comfort in the heart of London with our Affordable Serviced Apartments in Central London. Perfect for short or long-term stays, our Presidential Serviced Apartments in Central London offer convenience and flexibility. Explore nearby attractions, enjoy easy access to central locations, and experience the charm of a home away from home. Your affordable and comfortable stay in Central London starts here!

Visit: https://www.presidentialapartmentslondon.com/ Call us on: +44 (0)20 7373 4040 Address: 6-12 Barkston Gardens, Kensington London, SW5 OEN Nearest tube station: Earl’s Court

[plazaservicedapartment]

Experience the epitome of luxury and comfort in our spacious serviced apartments at Grand Plaza. Located in the heart of London, these meticulously designed apartments offer the perfect blend of style and convenience for your stay in the city. Explore the vibrant neighborhood, relax in your elegant home away from home, and create unforgettable memories.

[yawnderu]

// OPERATOR BIO: K-9 //

MAIN INFO:

Name: Jiang Zhi (蒋 智) Alias(es): K-9 Rank: Combat Medical Technician Age: 32 (as of 2024) Sexuality: Heterosexual  Native Language(s): Cantonese Other spoken language(s): English Nationality: British Eye color: Dark brown  Hair color: Black Height: 1.73CM Weight: 65KG Body Type: Lean Blood Type: O Marks: Small beauty mark beneath her left eye, a tattoo with the quote ‘’In Arduis Fidelis’’ on her left arm that runs above her elbow, a bullet wound scar on the right side of her body, above the iliac crest.

AFFILIATIONS:

British Army 

Royal Army Medical Corps 

SAS

Task Force 141

SpecGru

BACKGROUND:

GUANGZHOU, CHINA.

Welcomed to the world in 1991 by Chunhua Jiang and Junjie Zhao, Jiang grew up with nothing but pure admiration and respect for her parents, a couple consisting of an anesthesiologist and a medical translator. Despite her parents never engraving their professions into her head, Jiang displayed a keen interest in life sciences from a young age, oftentimes stealing their medical articles and documents to read in her free time. 

Wanting better life opportunities for a freshly graduated Jiang Zhi, Chunhua and Junjie made the decision to move around the United Kingdom in early 2008 before eventually settling in Hereford, England. In awe of living fairly close to one of the SAS bases and armed with a newfound interest in the Army, a then 17-year-old Jiang spent months preparing for the selection process, passing with flying colors and officially becoming part of the British Army in 2009.

From fieldcraft to how to handle a rifle, Jiang took on the challenge, eventually using her background in medicine to start her training as a Combat Medical Technician for 22 weeks, traveling around the world with a lot more maturity and interest in saving lives, aware of how crucial timing is.  

While faced with countless injuries during her service, Jiang showed utmost determination to recover and keep serving, never being one to stay still for extended periods of time, not when the sense of responsibility over her mates has been weighing her down ever since she joined the Army. 

Once the policy changes that allowed women to become members of the SAS were announced in 2018, an eager Jiang all but begged her superiors to put in a good word for her, eventually being contacted by a recruiter after anxiously applying. Despite her 9 years of experience in the Army and plenty of determination, Jiang found herself challenged by a system set up to only allow the best of the best to pass, close to giving up mid-way, she found strength to move forward in the name of the fallen soldiers she had an oath to protect. 

Despite the extensive and exhausting selection process, Jiang made history as one of the three women who have completed the six-month course, celebrated in 2019 by her parents and the extensive group of soldiers she managed to befriend during her time serving. Interrupted by a ringing phone, Jiang heard of the name John Price for the first time, called for what would be her first mission with the SAS after a number of multiple terrorist attacks in Central London.

Working along Kyle ‘’Gaz’’ Garrick and John Price, Jiang proved herself to the war-hardened Captain by providing cover and patching up injured hostages and soldiers, eventually being hand-picked by Price himself a month later, once Task Force 141 formed. 

“Y’can’t heal others if you’re falling apart yourself.” Within the 141, Jiang found someone who could always tell how hard she was on herself, how much harder she worked to ensure no one would ever die at her hands again, oftentimes only being able to sleep after working her fingers to the bone.

Her relationship with Simon was surprising to even herself, oftentimes finding the quiet man in her office doing his own paperwork or offering to get her a cuppa whenever she seemed stressed, despite knowing her preference for coffee. 

Despite how witty she can be, her relationship with the 141 was based on mutual trust and shared understanding despite it all, knowing that every single member is needed to keep each other alive and make things work. 

In late November, Jiang’s skills and knowledge were put to test as a gravely injured John ‘’Soap’’ MacTavish was brought to her, panic quickly setting in the moment she saw the bullet wound leaking out blood from his head like a broken faucet, quickly rushing into surgery and defying the odds against them, managing to save his life as the base of his brain and spinal cord being completely untouched by Makarov’s bullet, allowing him to be part of the 10% of people who have survived a headshot after a 12-hour-long surgery. Jiang’s body collapsed the moment Johnny was stabilized, a build-up of stress and disappearing adrenaline quickly catching up to her, only being held up by Simon, who was present during surgery and helping her with minor medical assistance for his injured mate.

Her first sexual encounter with Simon happens the day after, an extremely stressed and tired Jiang asking him to lay with her when he comes to check up on her, his resolve tested the moment he accepts her offer and feels her cuddle up to him, acting like a painfully fitting piece against his body. Clothes were discarded not even minutes later, hungry lips meeting as their hands desperately grasped for anything they could touch, quickly escalating into Jiang sitting on Simon’s face while he masturbated, the first sexual contact in years for both of them, yet a memorable one at that. 

Lines were blurred after the events of that day, eventually starting a not so secret relationship with the Lieutenant.

PREFERENCES:

Clothing style: Long pencil skirts, turtlenecks, sweatpants, Simon’s shirts. Favourite song: Bauhaus - Passion of Lovers  Favourite book: The Woman in Black - Susan Hill Favourite smell: Latex Favourite drink: Black coffee

TRIVIA/FUN FACTS:

Jiang renounced her Chinese citizenship at 22 years old, as the Chinese government does not allow dual citizenship. 

The tattoo ‘’In Arduis Fidelis’’ translates to ‘’Faithful in Adversity’’ and it comes from the motto of the Royal Army Medical Corps, remaining as a permanent placeholder of a Medic armband, and being a representation of her commitment to being a Medic.

Jiang never had an interest in dating, only briefly accepting someone’s proposal in high school to see what it was like— and quickly realizing it wasn’t for her. Due to this and her close relationship with her best friend, her parents thought she was a lesbian until she brought Simon home.

Jiang smokes a lot, easily running through a pack of Marlboro Gold within a day and a half. 

She’s surprisingly good at picking up accents, usually heard speaking in a painfully thick Birmingham accent, much to the dismay of the entire 141.

She has a pet octopus named 親愛的 (chān oi dik), meaning ''darling'' in Cantonese.

Despite not being extremely religious, Jiang and her family are Catholics.

She’s usually seen with a pair of black half frame reading glasses.

[scotianostra]

The leading Scottish suffragette, Evelina Haverfield, was born at Inverlochy Castle on August 9th 1867.

Evelina’s birth is recorded as ‘Honourable Evilena Scarlett’, she took the name Haverfield from her husband. Her childhood was divided between London and the Inverlochy estate. In 1880 she went to school in Dusseldorf, Germany, after which she married Major Henry Haverfield at the age of 19., who was 20 years her senior. The marriage is said to have been a happy one they had two sons together, The Major however died in 1896. Evelina married again two years later, a another military man, Major John Blaguy. This was not a happy union and after some time they drifted apart. The rest of her life was informed by devotion to a cause.

She became an enthusiastic supporter of the suffragette movement and was arrested during suffragette demonstrations in London for hitting an escorting police officer. Her only regret was not hitting him hard enough, promising to bring a revolver next time. During that heady time she met Vera Holme. Their companionship was to last the rest of her days.

At the outbreak of the First World War the suffragettes supported the war effort by founding a Women’s Voluntary Emergency Corps and a Women’s Voluntary Reserve Ambulance Corps. Evelina became commandant in chief of the latter, looking, it was said, every inch a soldier in her khaki uniform, although she later left after a disagreement of an undisclosed nature.

Evelina joined the Scottish Women’s Hospitals and devoted the next two years to overseas service with them. She served in Serbia with Elsie Inglis, as a hospital administrator and was part of a small group taken prisoner when the armies of the Central Powers overran Serbia in October and November 1915.

Under appalling conditions of poverty and military oppression, Evelina and those with her, struggled heroically through the winter to provide food and basic care for their wounded Serbian patients and some of the local civilian population. In the spring of 1916, Evelina and the other 'Scottish Women’ were released through the International Red Cross and returned to England.

In August 1916 Evelina went to Romania in charge of 18 ambulance and transport vehicles as part of two units of the Scottish Women’s Hospitals. These units were in support of Serbian soldiers fighting on the eastern Allied front. The stronger enemy invading armies drove the Russian, Romanian, and Serbian defenders out of southern Romania and north of the Danube river delta.

During this two-month retreat by the Allied forces, Evelina and the transport drivers were working non-stop under constant enemy fire, in desperate situations, while rescuing wounded soldiers and driving them to safety.

By early 1917, with the fighting on the eastern front over, and unable to return to Serbia because of the enemy occupation there, Evelina returned to England, where she remained until after the Armistice of November 1918. In England she raised money for clothing and canteens for Serbian soldiers, gave public speeches on behalf of Serbian relief, and helped to found a Serbian Red Cross Society in Britain.

After the Armistice she returned to Serbia to supervise the distribution of much needed food, clothing, and medical supplies. When this was done, in 1919, she made plans to found a home for Serbian war orphans in a Serbian mountain village. It was there, in Baijna Bashta, that she contracted pneumonia, probably brought on by overwork and fatigue, and died prematurely at the age of 52, revered and honoured by the Serbs for her five years of humanitarian work on their behalf. The Serbs issued a stamp commemorating this remarkable women in 2015, a woman few Scots have even heard of…….

Buried in Serbia today, Evelina’s gravestone reads:

‘Hear lies the body of the honourable Evelina Haverfield youngest daughter of William Scarlett 3rd Baron Abinger and of Helen ne Magruder his wife of Inverloky Castle Fort William Scotland who finished her work in Bajina Bashta March 21st 1920 through the war 1914-1920 She worked for the Serbian people with untiring zeal. A straight fighter as traight rider and a most loyal friend. R.I.P’

In 2015 Evalina was one of five Scottish women and one English women, who worked as doctors, nurses and drivers honoured on a series of stamps in Serbia, the others were Dr Elsie Inglis a campaigner for women's suffrage and the founder of the Scottish Women Hospitals in Serbia. Dr Inglis was one of the first female graduates at the University of Edinburgh.

Dr Elizabeth Ross, one of the first women to obtain a medical degree at the University of Glasgow. She travelled to Serbia as a volunteer and tragically passed away during the typhoid epidemic in 1915.

Dr Katherine MacPhail OBE, involved in humanitarian work in Serbia throughout WW1. She is remembered for opening the first paediatric ward in Belgrade in 1921.

Dr Isabel Emslie Galloway Hutton who joined the Scottish Women Hospitals as a volunteer in 1915 after she was turned away by the War Office in London. She served in France, Greece and Serbia until 1920.

The sixth was English woman, Captain Flora Sandes, who was the only known British female to bear arms during WW1.

This may have been seen as a great adventure for many, but as with all wars there was a price to pay, some of the women ended in desperate tragedy. A total of 21 died in Serbia, many after falling ill with suspected typhus.

[dreamyfanfix]

Chapter 1: A Woman's Worth

"'Cause a real man, knows a real woman when he sees her And a real woman knows a real man ain't afraid to please her"

Kate was rarely one to wander around but she had never really had spare time to just search for a hobby. She wanted to try painting but considering she was an art teacher, the idea of doing art in her spare time just seemed like the antithesis of what she was meant to be doing. 

Kate had been juggling 2-3 jobs since her early twenties and on her 25th birthday right after Mary's father, the last of the Sheffields died and left her a considerable sum, Mary decided that Kate no longer needed more than 1 job and that her stepmother would pay for a new apartment and a hobby for Kate to 'try something new'. So Kate picked her favourite of her jobs, Art Teacher at a local college, and was now at the community centre in central London, looking for a hobby on the centre's notice board.

There were a lot of advertisements for art classes as well as guitar lessons. There was a time in her childhood when Kate wanted to learn an instrument, the flute. She was in lessons for about a month when Kate quit because she hated the idea of being bad at something for as long as she was. She had matured since then and thought it would be a good idea to take it up again. She looked around the notice board for anyone who might be a flute instructor, but there wasn't. It was a shame so Kate took out her phone to Google for an instructor when someone bumped into her.

The person was walking with someone shorter than him and talking and laughing and not paying attention to the fact that they just bumped into Kate "Hello! Rude much?" Kate said to the back of the raven-haired men.

They both turned and Kate thought for a moment she was in trouble but one of the men looked apologetic and the other seemed to be appraising her appearance. The taller one with a charismatic smile stepped up to her and said "I'm so sorry. Me and my brother have a knack for causing trouble wherever we go,"

"Speak for yourself Ben, I was not the one who bumped into this beautiful woman," the other one said giving Kate a wide smile.

Kate thought the shorter of the brothers was more attractive in a dark way but she was not going to show it so she put on a neutral expression, "Well next time please be careful, I almost dropped my phone,"

"My apologies again. Are you thinking about taking one of these classes?" The taller one, Ben, asked.

"I might have been but nothing here is what I wanted so I was just leaving," Kate said as she made to leave.

"Bridgerton Community Centre has a wide range of classes is there anything you were looking for in particular?" The shorter handsome one asked.

Kate thought it was worth a try and said "A flute instructor,"

"Flute?! That's a dreadful instrument," Ben said before his brother elbowed him.

"A flute instructor is one of the few instructors we do not have, unfortunately," The handsome one replied.

"We? Do you run the centre?" Kate asked.

"Run and own. We are the Bridgertons," The handsome one extended his hand "Anthony Bridgerton at your service. If you want I can take your number down and if we ever get a flute instructor I could give you a call,"

Kate scoffed, "Can I see some ID?"

Anthony smiled fished in his pants and handed her his ID "Not easily trusting are we?"

Kate eyed his ID and then handed it back to him "Well I guess you are telling the truth. How long will it take for you to get a flute instructor?"

"A couple of weeks," Anthony said.

Kate was unconvinced "Yeah that's too much time to wait, I think I will just Google. Thanks anyway,"

Kate turned to leave but then she felt a hand on her elbow "Wait, why don't you try lessons for a different instrument?" Anthony asked her walking until he was in front of her again.

"I used to go to lessons for the flute. I was just thinking about picking up the hobby again,"

"Well if you wanted to broaden your horizons and try something completely brand new why not take guitar lessons? My brother Colin is the instructor and-"

"No thanks," Kate interrupted "Guitar is an instrument that everyone knows how to play,"

"So you're looking for something a bit more unique? How about piano?" Anthony finger snaps at his brother who takes a flyer down from the notice board and hands it to him.

"Piano is not exactly a unique instrument either,"

"Maybe not but it is difficult to learn. Especially as people age,"

"And it is an instrument that most people like to hear being played," Ben said as he came closer to his brother, who elbowed him again after his comment.

"I don't know..." Kate said sceptical. She did not want to give this guy the satisfaction.

"Just try it out for 3 lessons. On the house, and if you do not like it or find it easy then we can go from there. I'm sure by then we would have found a flute instructor," Anthony's brown eyes looked at her pleading so Kate looked down to take a number from the flyer.

"There isn't a number to tear away from the flyer. I'm pretty sure that means the class is full," Kate said.

"No, it's not,"

"And how would you know that?" Kate asked.

"Yeah Ant, how would you know that?" Ben asked, now smiling at his brother.

"I'm the instructor and I mostly do one-on-one sessions with adults so there is no such thing as full,"

"You're the instructor?" Kate asked incredulously. 'How convenient?' she thought.

"Yep. Why don't you take my number down and call if you are interested? That way the ball is in your court," He said.

Kate nodded and Anthony relayed his number to her. She left the centre feeling confused. There was something off about the brothers but Kate had taken multiple self-defence classes and carried around brass knuckles and a taser so she felt as if she was in the cross-hairs of a serial killer at least she had the tools to defend herself. Then again, serial killers are only ever as handsome as Anthony on TV so she felt like she was safe enough.

--

"So tell me, when did you quit your job as a developer to be a piano instructor?" Benedict asked his brother a while after the beautiful woman left the building.

"I haven't but I was losing her interest, I had to try something," Anthony replied shrugging.

"So why didn't you just give her Daphne's number? You remember Daphne right? The actual piano instructor in the family,"

Anthony turned to his brother confused "Ben why do you think we are here right now? Daphne does not give lessons anymore she's five months pregnant. We came here to remove her from the schedule,"

"I see, but that does not answer the question of how you are going to be a piano instructor?"

"I've been playing the piano my whole life Ben, surely instructing someone won't be too difficult,"

"Have you ever thought about what if the young lady is not interested in taking you up on your offer? Or what if she is not interested in taking your relationship further than that of teacher-student?" Ben asks as they reach the community centre's main office. His mother, Violet ran the centre but she had been a bit busy with Daphne's pregnancy news so Anthony volunteered to take care of a few things in her busy schedule.

"Contrary to popular belief just because I stopped actively partying and dating does not mean I lost the ability to charm women," Anthony said.

"And what happens when she drop-kicks you for lying to her? She looks like the punching type," Benedict asked.

"She won't and what makes you think she can drop-kick me?"

"I don't know brother, I just think you might have your work cut out for you with this one," Benedict said with a smile on his face and Anthony scowled.

--

Kate was restless. It was the second Saturday she had slept in and she could not believe how bored she was. She tried watching a few K-Dramas but besides 'Goblin' and 'What's Wrong With Secretary Kim?' she could not get into new shows. She took Newton for a walk and listened to music she had not heard in a while but again she was bored.

The advantage to living with her stepmother and sister for as long as she did was that Kate never had to come back to an empty home. And even though she loved Newton, Kate worried that being couped up with her dog would turn her into one of those people who pushed strollers with their dogs in them. Kate really needed a life.

She went on Google and saw an old search for a flute instructor and then she remembered that she had taken the number of the guy who gave piano lessons, Anthony. He was handsome but Kate felt something was off with him. Kate knew the Bridgertons had money and they were hands-on with the community centre but she wondered more about Anthony himself. She immediately went to type his name in and then felt bad.

If she was really about to get herself a life, Kate needed to stop worrying about knowing every little thing about people and just go with the flow. That's what all the books say. So what if these people were rich? So what if he could afford to take the time to teach her piano? Kate would be a fool to at least not take him up on the free 3 lessons. She could always try something else if he turned out to be a creep. She carried pepper spray and brass knuckles for a reason.

So, Kate sent a quick message to Anthony:

Kate: 'Hi, my name is Kate. You gave me your number a week ago. You said you were a piano instructor.'

Anthony: 'Hi, Kate. Took you long enough. You never told me your name. I will add it to my contacts. Yes I am free to instruct you.'

Kate: 'OK great, when can we start?'

Anthony: 'When are you free?'

Kate: 'Don't most instructors have teaching times? I can work around those.'

Anthony: 'How about Saturdays around 2-4pm? Or Sunday 2-4pm or Thursdays 12-2pm?'

Kate: 'Saturday and Sunday times are good for me. Sign me up.'

Anthony: 'Alright I will see you then :)'

Kate: 'Where is that exactly? The community centre?'

...

...

Anthony: 'No, the community centre's piano was removed after the flooding last year. 116 Darling Drive, West London. I'll put your name down as someone to expect.'

Kate: 'Okay got it. Thanks see you next week.'

Anthony: 'See you next week.'

There. Kate had her hobby scheduled. Now to fill the time this weekend. Maybe her friend Sophie was free.

--

Anthony had just gotten off the phone with Benedict, begging to use his old art studio to give Kate piano lessons. He spent half of the time dodging Benedict's questions about why he was trying so hard and the other half ignoring his innuendos about not sullying his furniture.

Anthony had spent the last week learning about how to be an effective instructor and knew what his first lesson with Kate was going to be about: First Proper Piano posture and technique and then the basics of reading piano music sheets.

Anthony felt once they got the basics down then it was just about getting her to play and aiding her along the way. Anthony feels like that would only take 3-4 weeks, he thinks then he could pawn her off on someone else and then make his move.

He did not usually work this hard to be with a woman but he felt like she was special and he promised his mother that he would take more time with love and try to find a proper partner for himself. He only hoped that he could get Kate to see he was a good guy before letting her know who he really was.

Starting off a relationship with a lie was not something he wanted to do so he promised he would not try anything with her until he told her the truth. If she saw the good in him like he saw the good in her then maybe this would be just a funny story they told their kids.

[howaboutcastiel]

Does It Show Again?

Summary: Steven is injured and Marc underestimates his strength. Layla doesn’t have cell service. Gus and Fish get a sister. 4.1k words

Content: angst. Lots of other stuff? This chapter is plot heavy but also feelings heavy. Hurt/comfort? Canon-typical injuries, Layla talks some more about the trafficking ring, with some details that might be upsetting. Marc talks about Randall. FWMS Masterlist. 

They named the dog Nadine. 

As it turned out, Layla was still in love with the staffy she had come across after her impromptu date night with Steven. She had loved the sweet puppy so much that she was convinced she had to have her. After several hours of talking it over with Steven and Marc, she had made a trip to the store to buy everything from food to a kennel to squeaky toys, and then another trip back to the shelter. They charged her next to nothing to adopt the stafford terrier. She had been waiting for months for an owner and no one had chosen her. Well, Layla was happy to give her a home. 

Except, she still had work to do for Taweret. So Layla’s dog quickly became Layla’s and Marc’s and Steven’s dog, and the boys agreed to stay at Layla’s with the pup when she traveled for work. That’s what Marc was meant to be doing now, as Layla was halfway across Europe in a place so removed from cell reception that she hadn’t gotten a word out to him in days. He was meant to come home from dinner with Mrs. Bamford and greet Nadine with a walk and a night-time play session. 

Her little tail wagged frantically as Steven stumbled through the door, covered in blood. 

Making it home was a blur. After Mrs. Bamford had convinced him to evade the police, he had run mindlessly in the direction of central London. He couldn’t exactly catch the bus in the state he was in. Eventually, he managed to hail a cab to Layla’s flat. The driver didn’t ask any questions about his appearance. Just as long as he got paid, Steven supposed. So he handed the man some cash and mumbled out the address of Layla’s apartment complex. It wasn’t until he was settled in the back seat that the adrenaline began to wear off of him. By then, the pain in his body radiated from more than his fists. 

That’s when he discovered that the switchblade hadn’t missed his skin afterall. It wasn’t a deep wound, but it was broad and solid. Steven had pressed against his chest to keep the blood from spilling out onto the leather seats.

Nadine wasn’t very pleased with the way he ignored her. Steven made a B-line for the guest bath, tugging his shirt up over his head. He felt ready to faint at any moment, but he tried his best to focus on his breathing as he rinsed the blood from his hands. Steven was grateful that his hand wasn’t broken, but his knuckles were certainly raw. 

‘I’m sorry.’  Marc’s voice rang desperately. His shame was palpable. ‘I don’t know what came over me.’

“‘S alright,” Steven slurred. He pulled a towel from the cabinet and pressed it firmly to the wound between the ribs on his right side. 

‘Let me deal with that,’ Marc offered. ‘I’m the one who got us into the fight. You shouldn’t be the one in pain.’

Steven shook his head. He leaned back against the wall for support, breathing shallowly. “I don’t mind it so much.”

‘C’mon, man. We got stabbed. I know it hurts like hell.’

“It’s a graze at best.” Even though he felt Marc trying to push his way to the front, Steven stayed put. He had never been in physical pain like this before, Marc had made sure of that. He had always assumed he was too weak for it, and Marc had always assumed Steven couldn’t handle pain like that. 

But Steven felt just fine. 

There was something harrowing about the wide gash in his side. Something calming about the rings of broken skin around his bruised knuckles. Steven might have even leaned into the feeling, except for the black spots that formed in the corner of his eyes when he did. Not to mention how much Marc Spector found his serenity to be disturbing, given the circumstances. Still, Steven was handling the pain just fine, and he had no trouble at all keeping Marc from the front as he continued cleaning his wounds. He had just finished bandaging his non-dominant hand when Nadine ceased her whining at his heels. 

“What is it, sweet girl?” Steven could feel the weakness in his breath as he cooed to the puppy. She only turned her head and left the bathroom, moving to sit patiently at the front door. “I’m sorry. I have to finish this before we go on our walk.”

But Nadine perked her ears and wagged her tail at the door. Steven shook his head, remembering that saying the word walk would only make her more excited. He turned his attention back to his hands, which were swimming in his vision by now. The wound in his side was still bleeding steadily and he was covered in a layer of thin, cold sweat. He kept working as tunnel vision started to creep in. He struggled to unfurl the wrappings that he was trying to put on his other hand. Again, he propped his weight against the wall, swearing. This time, he leaned into the pain, even though it was weakening him. 

There was a scratching metal noise outside, like the rattling of keys against a lock, and Nadine had started whining again. Steven closed his eyes. He needed to focus and get through this, quickly. The door opening registered somewhere in the back of his mind, but the front of it was focused on his hands and his side. He moved his bandaged hand up against his ribs. 

“Hello, gorgeous!” A voice rang from the door, high-pitched and tired and singsong-y. Steven smiled, still not having opened his eyes. Some clattering let him know that Nadine had jumped up into Layla’s arms to greet her. “Are you here by yourself?”

And then a beat of silence. The entryway light wasn’t on, but the one in the bathroom was. The door was still open and Steven was just out of view of the front door. 

“Marc?”

When Layla spotted him, he could hear the way she frantically ran to his side. Her voice was dripping with worry and her hands cupped his face. Steven struggled to open his eyes. 

“Marc!”

He scoffed lightly. “Not Marc.”

“Steven?” Layla’s eyes flashed across his body, surveying his wounds. “What—Why are you…? What happened to you?”

Layla guided him to sit on the couch. Steven didn’t protest as she did it, not that he had the energy if he wanted to. His breathing had gone from steady to shallow to labored. He hardly had the strength to hold the towel to the wound on his side anymore. 

“Just a home invasion,” he quipped. Layla didn’t find it funny. “At Mrs. Bamfords. Don’t worry, she’s safe. Nothing we couldn’t handle.”

“Let me help you with that.” She gestured to his ribs. The towel covered the wound and the blood streaming from it. 

He shook his head. “I can do it myself. You should go walk Nadine. She’s been cooped up all day.”

“She can wait a little longer,” Layla insisted. “You can barely open your eyes, Steven. Let me patch you up.”

He sighed, leaning back against the cushions. Steven hoped he wasn’t bleeding on the couch. 

“Alright.”

Layla didn’t say much as she bandaged his hand, except to point out that his left one was certainly sprained. She made sure he still had relatively free use of his fingers. It was only when she pulled Steven’s hand away from his ribs—laying her eyes on the blood-soaked towel and the wound in his side that was still streaming red—that she found her words again. She tried to keep her voice calm, but she wasn’t used to seeing him bleed. Not without the suit there to heal him. 

“This is going to need stitches.” She tilted his head in her hand, making sure he was listening. “You might want to let Marc take over for this. They aren’t very fun.”

Steven smiled at her, like he found her suggestion amusing. “I can handle it.”

Layla wouldn’t admit what that look and those words made her feel. She just nodded at him. 

“Go ahead and lay down for me, then. I’ll be right back.”

When Layla returned with her needle, thread, and bandages, Steven was sprawled across the couch. His work pants and boots were still on, but his chest was exposed. He kept his eyes open and on her, an adoring expression on his face as she entered the room. The puppy was at his side, her head resting on the couch just beside his face. Layla settled on the floor opposite his chest.

“I can turn on the TV, if you’d like,” she offered to him. “It’ll go easier if you have something to distract you.”

“No, that’s alright,” he replied. He stared at her for a moment. “Tell me about your trip, love.”

She scoffed. “I’m not sure that’s the kind of distraction you want.”

“I’d still like to hear about it,” he shrugged. “You know we get worried when you’re away. Especially when you can’t get to a phone.”

“Yes, I know.” Layla wiped as much blood from the wound as she could. Steven barely flinched. “Every time I get service again, I read the novel Marc sends me while I’m away.”

Steven tilted his head. “You did ask him to open up more. It would help him a lot if it worked both ways.”

“It does work both ways,” she interjected.

He grinned. “Then tell me about your trip.”

Layla folded. Steven was convincing, and he knew he had caught her. That was one thing Marc was never good at—convincing. He usually got his way by throwing punches, which he would never throw at Layla, of course. Steven used his words, and Layla found his method surprisingly effective. But she also found it irritating. She had gotten used to winning arguments with her husband. So, Layla made sure to wait until the first stitch was done before she started her story. 

Not that it made a difference to Steven, of course. 

“I spent the last few days in New Delhi,” she began. “Taweret started by sending me to Munich, but there’s a problem with the higher-ups in the—”she couldn’t bring herself to say the name that they called themselves. 

“In the ring.”

Steven nodded at her, so invested in Layla’s feelings that he appeared to not even notice the needle weaving in and out of his chest. Layla, on the other hand, seemed doubly affected by the combination of the blood and her own recollection of her trip. Steven knew how serious this job was, which was why he pushed her so hard to talk about it. He was afraid of how Layla would be affected if she bottled it up. 

She continued. “So I had to follow the team to India. Anyway, there’s a rival operation there that they wanted to merge with. Or, if they couldn’t merge, they wanted to destroy it. Obviously I wasn’t complaining about that idea. Taweret helped me keep tabs on both rings while my team captured one of the big guys in their rival gang.”

Layla’s hands had stopped moving. Steven looked up at her, seeing the hesitation on her face. 

“You’re not hurting me,” he offered. “You can keep going.”

But he knew that the hesitation was not for the stitches. Layla was struggling with her story. She didn’t say anything else as she wove the next stitch in his side, focusing on keeping her hands from shaking. 

Steven changed his tone to be more gentle, more deliberate. “It’s okay if you’re not ready yet. If something really bad happened, I mean. You don’t have to tell me.”

But Layla shook her head. There was fear in her eyes. “It isn’t that something bad happened.”

“No?” He didn’t understand what was upsetting her. 

She bit her lip. Layla couldn’t look him in the eye. 

“It’s that I did something bad.”

Steven was quick with his response. It was second nature to him, this sort of thing. “We knew this was going to be hard, right? I mean, going undercover was bound to have some tough moments. Some tough decisions. I’m sure that you only did what you had to, love.”

Layla’s face and neck flushed with something akin to shame. Steven reached out weakly to cup her face, but she turned her head away from his touch. She went back to stitching him up, nearly finished now. 

As she continued—hesitantly—her eyes never left his chest. “They wanted information out of him, but he wouldn’t talk. He didn’t think that merging the rings would be a good idea and he was loyal to his own people. He told us to just kill him and be done with it, that he would never betray his operation, and that we would never work together. I thought we were going to shoot him and dump his body somewhere the rivals could see. I could have almost come to terms with that. 

But my boss wasn’t satisfied. 

He wanted to know everything that man knew, and he wanted it as quickly as possible. All the guys on my team, though, they’re hasty. They’re impulsive. Not to mention, they’re not too bright. They wouldn’t have the patience or the wit to get information out of him.”

Steven understood what she was leading up to. 

“But you would.”

She nodded. 

Steven thought that there was nothing else to be said, so he didn’t say anything. Layla wasn’t eager to speak up, either. She finished the last stitch on his side, wiping the wound clean one final time before covering it with some antibiotic cream and a layer of bandages. When she picked up the soiled rags and medical supplies and headed toward the laundry, Steven pulled himself up against the cushions in a somewhat-sitting position. Layla came back with a glass of water in her hand, instructing him to sip on it. He grabbed at her, a silent plea for her to sit at his side, and she reluctantly did. 

They sat in silence. Eventually, Nadine moved up onto Layla’s lap and Steven moved to lay his head on her shoulder. He was almost asleep by the time Layla’s voice rang out, small and meek as ever. 

“I was really good at it, Steven.”

He blinked at her a couple of times, his brain foggy from the blood loss and adrenaline crash. “Good at what?”

Her voice broke around the words. “At making him talk.”

Steven had nothing reassuring to say to that. What could he possibly say? He only weakly stroked her hand as she cried into his hair. Whatever was running through her head, it wasn’t a feeling that he could imagine. He didn’t know how to help. 

They were both so tired. Steven and Layla sat still, holding each other weakly until her breathing evened out again. They could have fallen asleep there, enveloped in one another’s pain, if it weren’t for the stafford terrier that hadn’t gotten her walk for the day. 

Nadine hopped down from Layla’s lap, whining and scratching at the front door, and Steven didn’t even have a chance to stand up before Layla was by her side with a leash in hand. 

“We’ll be right back, habibi.”

Steven simply nodded and watched as they walked out the door. 

Marc wasted no time speaking up once they were alone. Steven already had a fair idea of what he was going to say. “I knew something like this was going to happen. That fucking hippo is no better than Khonshu after all.”

“It was Layla’s choice, Marc. Taweret didn’t force her.” Steven took another sip from the glass of water, struggling to swallow it. 

Marc wasn’t convinced. “Khonshu never forced me, either.”

“He was manipulating you. It’s different.” 

But Marc was angry. “No, Steven. This is different. Khonshu only used me for what I already was. A killer. A soldier. Layla isn’t like that. She would never torture someone. Not even some sex-trafficking bastard who deserves it. Layla isn’t like me. She’s too good. Taweret is doing something to her, I’m sure of it.”

Steven shook his head. 

“Maybe you just don’t know your wife as well as you thought.”

~~~

Layla was home all week. Marc and Steven had taken the weekend off from Mrs. Bamford’s, and she had happily informed them that the intruder had been arrested without much questioning. After Layla had managed to stitch Steven back together, he had allowed Marc to take the reins and spend some quality time with his wife. Marc needed it, and she needed it, and Steven was happy to spend some time on the inside, or just silently watch from the sidelines as they rebuilt their marriage piece by piece. 

It had been a long time since Marc had had to heal from a fight without the suit. He had forgotten how sore his hands could get. How hard it could be to move around with a row of stitches in his side. Marc tried to hide his discomfort as much as he could—it was his own fault after all, wasn’t it? Did he really even have a right to complain? 

He continued to talk with Layla about the details of her trip. She was getting close to the head of the ring, they both could feel it. But Layla was understandably reluctant to talk to Marc about it. She felt far too guilty about her new and improved role in the whole ordeal. Layla couldn’t bring herself to tell him all the gory responsibilities she had come to adopt. She couldn’t talk to him about the way she had that poor man begging for her to stop. How she had him spilling his guts about everything he knew of the ring he served. 

She especially couldn’t tell him the worst part of it all. How that small part of her, deep down inside, had enjoyed making him suffer. How she was proud of herself for being so good at it. 

And how he hadn’t been the only one. 

Layla wasn’t a fool—she knew everything that those people had done. She knew they deserved everything that they got, and she knew she grew closer to the head of the snake with each monster she cut through. Layla knew that her heinous actions only strengthened the trust that the ring had in her, only gave her more power within the group and more opportunity to peek between the cracks in the operation. None of that justified it, though. She also knew that. Nothing changed the fact that she was hurting people, and that she enjoyed it. 

She was beginning to understand why being an avatar had broken Marc so completely. 

Marc finally found himself able to talk to her. Really, truly talk to her. He’d already shared so much since they first arrived home from Cairo. Now, though, he was almost completely unrestrained. Tiny piece by piece, he had warmed up to her enough to share the parts of his life that he’d hidden from her. The ones he’d hidden from everyone. Marc was finally finding a way to share himself with Layla. 

Some things were harder to share than others. 

“I can’t remember him that well,” Marc explained. “We were so young, you know? I only got bits and pieces anyway, but it was such a long time ago. Sometimes it doesn’t feel like he was ever real.”

Marc was sitting on the floor, the dog in his lap, while Layla sat behind him on the couch and brushed his hair for him. He still couldn’t lift his right arm because of the stitches, and his left hand was sprained too much for fine movement. It was easier to talk to her like this, he supposed. He didn’t have to look her in the eye. 

“I only really remember that day. Everything before it is a blur, but I remember everything about that day. Steven had to explain it to me. I used to just think that it was Randall’s tragedy. That I was just a bystander. A witness who should have saved him. I was the one who did that to him—”

Layla couldn’t help but interject. “You weren’t. It wasn’t your fault—”

“It was an accident, I know.” Marc scoffed. “But I felt responsible. Most of the time, I still feel that way. It’s hard for me to really believe anything else, it’s just been my fault for such a long time. But Steven explained it to me. He—he gave me permission, I guess, to not just be a witness. I was there, too. I was just a kid, too.”

Marc cleared his throat, blinking away tears. 

“And I almost drowned, too.”

“Is that why you can’t go under anymore?” Layla was almost whispering when she asked. 

He shook his head and bore a lopsided smile she couldn’t see. “I don’t know. I guess I did fine with all of the training as a Marine. I don’t really remember. And I can swim just fine, the water doesn’t bother me. It’s hard to explain.”

His smile dropped. 

“But when I look up, and all I see is water? Or when there’s no one around and I have to go under? It’s like…

It’s like I’m right back in that cave.

I was taller than him. Just a few inches, and I was thinner. I guess I could squeeze through the rocks? I could keep my head above the water just a little longer? I don’t know. I just know when they pulled us out, I still felt like I couldn’t breathe. I looked over and my mom was doing chest compressions on RoRo. I just remember thinking, “I must already be dead. That’s why no one’s doing CPR on me. I’m already gone. That’s why I can’t breathe.” I was just lying there, alone.”

Marc stopped when he felt a tear run along his upper lip. He hadn’t realized that he was crying, but he couldn’t say he was surprised. He had never told anyone about those moments afterward. He hadn’t even told Steven. 

“There was water in my lungs, is what my dad told me. I spent a couple days in the hospital. Almost missed his burial. My dad barely left my side the whole time I was there. He was worried, you know? I guess my mom was worried, too. But when I came home… that was the end of it. It was Randall’s shiva, and I was still alive, and it was my fault.”

Layla was crying, too. “And no one was there for you? To make sure you were okay?”

He shook his head. “I didn’t think they were supposed to be.”

She was almost done with his hair. Layla had managed to convince Marc to add curl cream to his routine, now that she had to do it for him. She was almost positive that he would abandon it as soon as he regained his full range of movement. But, it was fun while it lasted, and his curls were bouncier and wilder than ever. Layla ran her hands through the mop of hair one last time when her fingers suddenly dug into his scalp. 

“Ow!” Marc yelped. He turned his head to see her staring off into space. “Layla?”

She nodded her head like she was listening to someone. Her eyes focused on thin air. On something Marc couldn’t see. 

Someone Marc couldn’t see. 

“You’re sure?” Layla said, eyeing the space beside the TV where Marc assumed Taweret was standing. “That’s halfway across the world from our last lead. Why would they be there?”

“What’s she saying?” Marc asked. Layla shook her head, still listening. 

“What if that’s really it?” She hummed nervously. “What do we do when we get there?” 

Layla nodded and turned her attention toward Marc. Her voice was low. 

“Taweret says there’s a lead in Jacksonville. That this could be the head of the whole trafficking ring.”

His eyes widened. “What are you going to do?”

“I’m going to Jacksonville,” she said decidedly. “And I’m going to finish this. I’m going to kill them all.”

Marc didn’t know if it was really Layla talking, or if Taweret had twisted her sense of justice into something else. Either way, Marc knew exactly what he was, and he knew exactly what Layla wasn’t. 

And just like Layla, he understood deep down that he needed this. That he was meant for this. 

“I’m going with you.”

~~~

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[ifreakingloveroyals]

14 December 2017 | Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Britain's Prince William, Duke of Cambridge arrive at St Paul's cathedral to attend a Grenfell Tower National Memorial service in central London. The fire on June 14 in the Grenfell tower apartment block claimed 71 lives making it the worst fire in the United Kingdom since World War II. (c) Stefan Rousseau/AFP via Getty Images

[blueorchidhotels]

Whats on in Excel London Feb 2025

Dive into an exciting array of events at Excel London this Feb 2025. From thrilling exhibitions to dynamic conferences, this curated list promises an exhilarating month of discovery and engagement.

List of Excel Events February 2025

Devitt Insurance MCN London Motorcycle Show

14-16 February 2025

Event Location: Excel, London

Discover More: https://www.excel.london/visitor/whats-on/Devitt-Insurance-MCN-London-Motorcycle-Show-2025

In-House Recruitment Expo London 2025

25 February 2025

Event Location: Excel, London

Discover More: https://www.excel.london/visitor/whats-on/in-house-recruitment-expo-london-2025

Employee Xperience Expo London 2025

25 February 2025

Event Location: Excel, London

Discover More: https://www.excel.london/visitor/whats-on/employee-xperience-expo-london-2025

International Confex 2025

26-27 February 2025

Event Location: Excel, London

Discover More: https://www.excel.london/visitor/whats-on/international-confex-2025

The PA Show Spring 2025

26-27 February 2025

Event Location: Excel, London

Discover More: https://www.excel.london/visitor/whats-on/the-pa-show-2025

Attractions near Blue Orchid Hotels to experience London

Hotel near Tower Bridge – Tower Suites, Affordable & Luxury 5 Star Hotel in Tower of London. 

Hotel near Tower of London – Tower Residences, best contemporary one and two-bed Serviced apartments 

Hotel near Victoria Station, Buckingham palace & Westminster Abbey - The Wellington, Affordable & Luxury 4 Star Hotel in Westminster

Top London Hotel Packages from Blue orchid hospitality:

Romantic Escape

ROYAL TIME AT THE TOWER RELAX AND UNWIND FAMILY PACKAGE SUITE SUNDAY

And many more. Visit Blue orchid for more Central London Hotel deals 

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with stunning views, exquisite dining and an evening to remember – Book your Table

Book Event venues in central London, Suitable for Conference and Meeting Events, Private Party Space and Rooftop Event Venue for your next celebrations in Central London.

[airportexecutivetransfer]

London City Airport Transfers: Seamless Journeys with Airport Executive Transfer

London City Airport, located in the heart of the capital, serves as a vital hub for business and leisure travelers alike. With its close proximity to central London and a reputation for efficiency, it’s a preferred choice for many. To complement this convenience, Airport Executive Transfer (AET) offers premium London City Airport transfer services designed to make your travel experience smooth, comfortable, and stress-free.

Why Choose Airport Executive Transfer?

At AET, we understand that your time is valuable. Whether you’re traveling for a business meeting or a well-deserved vacation, our services are tailored to provide reliability and luxury at every step of the journey. Here’s what sets us apart:

Punctuality You Can Rely On: Our professional chauffeurs ensure timely pick-ups and drop-offs, helping you avoid the stress of delays.

Comfortable and Luxurious Fleet: From executive sedans to spacious SUVs, our vehicles are equipped with modern amenities to make your ride as relaxing as possible.

Professional Chauffeurs: Our highly trained and courteous chauffeurs are familiar with London’s routes, ensuring a smooth and efficient transfer.

24/7 Availability: Whether your flight is early in the morning or late at night, our services are available round the clock to cater to your schedule.

Affordable Luxury: Experience premium services at competitive rates, ensuring great value for your money.

Tailored for Every Traveler

Whether you’re a solo traveler, a family, or a corporate group, AET provides customized transfer solutions to meet your needs. Our services extend to both pick-ups and drop-offs at London City Airport, ensuring a seamless experience from start to finish.

How to Book?

Booking your London City Airport transfer with AET is easy and hassle-free. Simply visit our website or call our customer service team to reserve your ride. Share your travel details, and we’ll take care of the rest.

Conclusion

Start or end your journey in London with the comfort, reliability, and luxury that Airport Executive Transfer provides. Trust AET to deliver a world-class experience for all your London City Airport transfer needs.

[empirechase1]

Property Market In Harrow | Empire Chase

Introduction The property market in Harrow is a thriving segment within Greater London, offering a blend of suburban charm and urban convenience. With excellent schools, vibrant communities, and great transport links, Harrow has become a popular destination for families, young professionals, and investors. Empire Chase is here to help you navigate Harrow’s property market with ease and confidence.

Why Harrow’s Property Market is Unique Property Market In Harrow tands out for its diverse range of properties, from charming period homes to contemporary apartments. The area offers a balanced lifestyle with access to green spaces, shopping centres, and cultural diversity, making it ideal for those seeking a mix of tranquillity and modern amenities.

Key Features of the Property Market in Harrow

Affordable Options: Compared to central London, Harrow offers more affordable rental and purchase options.

Strong Rental Demand: With Harrow’s proximity to London and excellent schools, rental properties are always in demand.

Development Projects: New developments and infrastructure upgrades are adding to the area’s appeal.

Cultural Diversity: Harrow attracts a wide range of residents, creating a dynamic and inclusive community.

Challenges in Harrow’s Property Market

Rising Prices: Though more affordable than central London, property prices in Harrow have been steadily increasing.

Competition: Demand for properties often outpaces supply, making the market highly competitive.

Legislation Changes: Changes to rental regulations and tax laws can impact buyers and landlords.

How Empire Chase Can Help You Empire Chase offers a variety of services tailored to your needs in Harrow’s property market:

For Renters: We provide access to a wide range of rental properties to suit your budget and preferences.

For Buyers: Our experts can help you find the perfect home or investment property.

For Landlords: Our property management services ensure you get maximum returns on your rental properties.

For Investors: Stay updated on Harrow’s market trends and opportunities to make informed investment decisions.

Tips for Renting or Buying in Harrow

Set a budget that includes all associated costs like deposits, maintenance, and legal fees.

Explore the local amenities, schools, and transport links in different neighbourhoods.

Consult professional agents like Empire Chase to get the best options and advice.

Conclusion The property market in Harrow is full of potential for renters, buyers, and investors alike. With its excellent connectivity, vibrant community, and diverse property options, Harrow continues to attract people from all walks of life. Empire Chase is committed to making your property journey in Harrow seamless and successful. Let us guide you to your ideal property today.

[presidentialapartmentslondon]

Embark on your London adventure with confidence! 🇬🇧 Discover the city's charm with our 'Do’s and Don'ts for First-timers in London.' And when it's time to unwind, book your cozy stay at Presidential Serviced Apartments London. Your perfect home away from home awaits!

Book Your Stay with us! Visit: https://www.presidentialapartmentslondon.com/ Contact No: +44 20 7373 4040

[plazaservicedapartment]

Spacious Two-Bedroom Apartment for 4 at Grand Plaza Serviced Apartments, London

Enjoy a comfortable stay in a Two-Bedroom Apartment for 4 at Grand Plaza Serviced Apartments in London, perfect for both long and short stays. Located near Hyde Park, this well-equipped apartment offers the ideal serviced apartments options in London for family getaways. Experience the convenience of a central location with easy access to top attractions, shopping, and dining. Book now for a relaxing and stylish stay in the heart of the city!

[scotianostra]

The leading Scottish suffragette, Evelina Haverfield, was born at Inverlochy Castle on August 9th 1867.

Evelina’s birth is recorded as ‘Honourable Evilena Scarlett’, she took the name Haverfield from her husband. Her childhood was divided between London and the Inverlochy estate. In 1880 she went to school in Dusseldorf, Germany, after which she married Major Henry Haverfield at the age of 19., who was 20 years her senior. The marriage is said to have been a happy one they had two sons together, The Major however died in 1896. Evelina married again two years later, a another military man, Major John Blaguy. This was not a happy union and after some time they drifted apart. The rest of her life was informed by devotion to a cause.

She became an enthusiastic supporter of the suffragette movement and was arrested during suffragette demonstrations in London for hitting an escorting police officer. Her only regret was not hitting him hard enough, promising to bring a revolver next time. During that heady time she met Vera Holme. Their companionship was to last the rest of her days.

At the outbreak of the First World War the suffragettes supported the war effort by founding a Women’s Voluntary Emergency Corps and a Women’s Voluntary Reserve Ambulance Corps. Evelina became commandant in chief of the latter, looking, it was said, every inch a soldier in her khaki uniform, although she later left after a disagreement of an undisclosed nature.

Evelina joined the Scottish Women’s Hospitals and devoted the next two years to overseas service with them. She served in Serbia with Elsie Inglis, as a hospital administrator and was part of a small group taken prisoner when the armies of the Central Powers overran Serbia in October and November 1915.

Under appalling conditions of poverty and military oppression, Evelina and those with her, struggled heroically through the winter to provide food and basic care for their wounded Serbian patients and some of the local civilian population. In the spring of 1916, Evelina and the other 'Scottish Women’ were released through the International Red Cross and returned to England.

In August 1916 Evelina went to Romania in charge of 18 ambulance and transport vehicles as part of two units of the Scottish Women’s Hospitals. These units were in support of Serbian soldiers fighting on the eastern Allied front. The stronger enemy invading armies drove the Russian, Romanian, and Serbian defenders out of southern Romania and north of the Danube river delta.

During this two-month retreat by the Allied forces, Evelina and the transport drivers were working non-stop under constant enemy fire, in desperate situations, while rescuing wounded soldiers and driving them to safety.

By early 1917, with the fighting on the eastern front over, and unable to return to Serbia because of the enemy occupation there, Evelina returned to England, where she remained until after the Armistice of November 1918. In England she raised money for clothing and canteens for Serbian soldiers, gave public speeches on behalf of Serbian relief, and helped to found a Serbian Red Cross Society in Britain.

After the Armistice she returned to Serbia to supervise the distribution of much needed food, clothing, and medical supplies. When this was done, in 1919, she made plans to found a home for Serbian war orphans in a Serbian mountain village. It was there, in Baijna Bashta, that she contracted pneumonia, probably brought on by overwork and fatigue, and died prematurely at the age of 52, revered and honoured by the Serbs for her five years of humanitarian work on their behalf. The Serbs issued a stamp commemorating this remarkable women in 2015, a woman few Scots have even heard of…….

Buried in Serbia today, Evelina’s gravestone reads:

‘Hear lies the body of the honourable Evelina Haverfield youngest daughter of William Scarlett 3rd Baron Abinger and of Helen ne Magruder his wife of Inverloky Castle Fort William Scotland who finished her work in Bajina Bashta March 21st 1920 through the war 1914-1920 She worked for the Serbian people with untiring zeal. A straight fighter as traight rider and a most loyal friend. R.I.P’

In 2015 Evalina was one of five Scottish women and one English women, who worked as doctors, nurses and drivers feature on a series of stamps in Serbia, the others were Dr Elsie Inglis a campaigner for women's suffrage and the founder of the Scottish Women Hospitals in Serbia. Dr Inglis was one of the first female graduates at the University of Edinburgh.

Dr Elizabeth Ross, one of the first women to obtain a medical degree at the University of Glasgow. She travelled to Serbia as a volunteer and tragically passed away during the typhoid epidemic in 1915.

Dr Katherine MacPhail OBE, involved in humanitarian work in Serbia throughout WW1. She is remembered for opening the first paediatric ward in Belgrade in 1921.

Dr Isabel Emslie Galloway Hutton who joined the Scottish Women Hospitals as a volunteer in 1915 after she was turned away by the War Office in London. She served in France, Greece and Serbia until 1920.

The sixth was English woman, Captain Flora Sandes, who was the only known British female to bear arms during WW1

[cur8residences0]

Luxury Living with CUR8 Residences

Discover modern, serviced apartments in central London with CUR8 Residences. Offering stylish design, prime locations, and 24/7 personalized service, it's the perfect choice for both short and extended stays.

Book your stay now!

#CUR8Residences #LuxuryLiving #LondonStay

[renta-stay]

Renta Stay: Finding the Perfect Worker Accommodation in Brighton

Brighton is a vibrant city known for its iconic seafront, dynamic culture, and bustling job market. Whether you’re relocating for a short-term project or settling in for a long-term job, finding suitable worker accommodation Brighton is essential to making your stay comfortable and productive. In this blog, we’ll explore the options available and provide tips to help you find the perfect place to stay while working in this lively city.

Why Brighton is a Great Place for Workers

Brighton offers a unique blend of work opportunities and leisure activities, making it an ideal location for professionals. From construction projects to tech startups and creative industries, the city attracts workers from diverse fields. Alongside its professional appeal, Brighton’s vibrant lifestyle, stunning coastline, and excellent transport links to London and other parts of the UK make it a favorite among workers.

Types of Worker Accommodation in Brighton

When it comes to worker accommodation, Brighton provides a variety of options to suit different needs and budgets:

Serviced Apartments: These are an excellent choice for professionals who value privacy and convenience. Serviced apartments in Brighton often come fully furnished, with amenities such as Wi-Fi, housekeeping, and kitchen facilities. They are perfect for long-term stays and provide a home-away-from-home experience.

Shared Housing: For those on a tighter budget, shared housing offers an affordable way to live and work in Brighton. Sharing accommodation with other workers can also be a great way to network and build connections in a new city.

Hostels and Budget Hotels: If your stay in Brighton is short-term, hostels or budget hotels may be a practical option. While they may lack the comforts of a permanent home, they are often centrally located and provide basic necessities at a reasonable cost.

Corporate Housing: Many companies provide worker accommodation in Brighton as part of their relocation packages. These accommodations are often conveniently located near workplaces and offer features that cater to the needs of employees.

Tips for Finding Worker Accommodation in Brighton

Start Early: Brighton is a popular destination, and accommodation can fill up quickly, especially during peak seasons. Begin your search well in advance to secure the best options.

Set a Budget: Decide on a budget before you start looking. This will help narrow down your options and prevent overspending.

Consider Location: Choose accommodation that’s close to your workplace or has good transport links. Commuting can be time-consuming and costly, so proximity is key.

Check Amenities: Ensure the accommodation meets your needs, whether that’s a fully equipped kitchen, high-speed internet, or proximity to local shops and restaurants.

Read Reviews: Look for feedback from previous tenants or guests to get an idea of what to expect. Reviews can provide valuable insights into the quality and reliability of the accommodation.

The Benefits of Choosing the Right Worker Accommodation in Brighton

Finding the right worker accommodation Brighton can make a significant difference to your overall experience. Comfortable and convenient housing allows you to focus on your work, relax during downtime, and make the most of everything Brighton has to offer. Whether you prefer the independence of a serviced apartment or the social atmosphere of shared housing, there are options to suit every preference.

Brighton is a fantastic place for workers, offering a vibrant lifestyle and diverse opportunities. By carefully considering your needs and researching available options, you can find the perfect worker accommodation in Brighton to make your stay enjoyable and stress-free. Whether you’re here for a few weeks or several months, the right accommodation will ensure you feel at home in this dynamic city.

[441go]

Vacation or Long-Term Stay: Renting Condos Abroad as a Bermudian

For Bermudians seeking to expand their horizons, renting a condo overseas offers a versatile and convenient solution for both vacations and long-term stays. Whether it's a bustling cityscape or a tranquil coastal retreat, condos provide a balance of comfort, privacy, and affordability that appeals to a wide range of travelers. This trend has gained traction among bermudians renting overseas condos, who are increasingly exploring global destinations for leisure, work, or educational pursuits. Here, we delve into the benefits, popular destinations, and practical tips for renting condos abroad as a Bermudian.

Why Bermudians Choose Overseas Condos

The appeal of renting a condo abroad lies in the flexibility and benefits it offers:

Cost-Effective Living: Renting a condo can be more economical than staying in hotels, especially for extended periods. Many condos come equipped with kitchens, allowing renters to save money on dining out.

Home-Like Comfort: Condos often provide a more homey atmosphere compared to traditional accommodations, making them ideal for families, couples, or solo travelers seeking a personal space.

Prime Locations: Condos are often situated in central locations, providing easy access to major attractions, business hubs, and local amenities.

Variety of Options: From luxury high-rises in metropolitan areas to beachfront villas in tropical locales, the variety of condos available ensures that there is something to suit every preference and budget.

Top Destinations for Bermudians Renting Condos

Bermudians are drawn to diverse destinations when renting condos abroad. Here are some popular choices:

United States: The U.S. offers a wealth of options, from urban condos in cities like New York, Miami, and Los Angeles to resort-style accommodations in Florida’s coastal towns. Proximity to Bermuda makes it a convenient choice for shorter stays.

Canada: Cities like Toronto and Vancouver attract Bermudians with their vibrant cultural scenes and strong connections to the island. Condos in Canada’s urban centers are ideal for work-related stays or educational pursuits.

Caribbean Islands: Bermudians often gravitate toward neighboring islands such as Barbados, St. Lucia, and the Cayman Islands. Condos in these locations provide a familiar yet unique island experience.

United Kingdom: The UK’s historical ties to Bermuda make it a popular choice for renting condos, especially in cities like London and Edinburgh. These locations are ideal for Bermudians seeking cultural enrichment or business opportunities.

Europe: From Parisian apartments to seaside condos on the Spanish coast, Europe offers a mix of history, art, and leisure. Bermudians renting in Europe often look for properties that provide both charm and convenience.

Vacation vs. Long-Term Rentals

The purpose of renting a condo—whether for a vacation or an extended stay—influences the type of property and location:

Vacation Rentals: For short-term stays, Bermudians often prioritize proximity to attractions and amenities. Popular platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo offer an array of vacation-friendly condos in tourist hotspots. These rentals typically come fully furnished and include services tailored for temporary stays.

Long-Term Rentals: Bermudians planning to stay for months or years, whether for work, education, or retirement, usually look for condos with flexible lease agreements, affordable rates, and access to local communities. Long-term rentals often require more thorough research and negotiation.

Practical Tips for Renting Overseas Condos

Renting a condo abroad involves careful planning to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience:

Research the Market: Understanding the rental market in your chosen destination helps you find the best deals and avoid scams. Use reputable rental platforms and seek advice from local real estate agents if necessary.

Consider the Lease Terms: Pay close attention to the terms of the rental agreement, including deposit requirements, cancellation policies, and additional fees. Ensure the terms align with your needs and length of stay.

Understand Local Regulations: Some countries have specific rules regarding foreign tenants. Familiarize yourself with these regulations to avoid potential legal issues.

Budget for Additional Costs: Beyond the rental fee, consider utility bills, maintenance charges, and other hidden costs. For vacation rentals, inquire about cleaning fees and service charges.

Inspect the Property: If possible, visit the property in person or request a virtual tour before committing to a rental. This ensures the condo matches the description and meets your expectations.

Plan for Emergencies: Always have a backup plan in case of unexpected issues, such as cancellation or property disputes. Having travel insurance and local contacts can be invaluable.

Embracing the Experience

Renting a condo overseas is more than just securing accommodation—it’s an opportunity to immerse yourself in a new environment. Whether you’re enjoying a beachfront view in the Caribbean or exploring a bustling European city, the experience of living in a condo allows Bermudians to connect with local cultures and lifestyles in a meaningful way.

Conclusion

For Bermudians, renting overseas condos offers a gateway to global exploration, combining practicality with the chance to experience life in new and exciting destinations. Whether it’s for a brief vacation or a long-term stay, condos provide the perfect blend of comfort, convenience, and affordability. With thoughtful planning and an adventurous spirit, Bermudians can make the most of their time abroad, turning every stay into a memorable journey.