Chapter 24The tiny yellow guesthouse was nestled in a lane near the large mall. Iris felt her heart lurch when she saw a red signboard advertising rooms available. Orange marigolds spilled from the window boxes. Overall, it was an impression of riotous yellow-orange-red colour. Iris’ bags clattered over the raised edge of the entrance, but no one looked up. It was a busy place, full of foreign backpackers, and she decided to stay here until she figured out what to do next.
“Do you have a single room?” she asked the receptionist.
“How many days?”
“Just one. I may extend it.” It felt like a privilege to have her purse with her credit cards again. She’d never take access to money for granted in the same way again.
The receptionist handed her a key with a large wooden handle and pointed he
