During the lonely, lockdown days of 2020 we were in the City, in London, and walked as far as we could, whenever we were allowed. There were not many others about.

Liverpool Street Station was under wraps during that time, but we were able to walk around the various blocked off sections to the quieter, completed bits. The photograph above is of Exchange Square, which is between what might be called the back of the station and The Exchange Building on Primrose Street. Broadgate Tower is across the road, to the right of where I am standing to the take the photograph. To the left of the photograph, and out of sight, is the reclining figure of the huge, Broadgate Venus – five tonnes of curvacious, patinated bronze, sculpted by Columbian artist Fernando Botero.

Today, while walking with a friend in the City, I decided to show her the now unwrapped Liverpool Street Station. As I expected, Broadgate Venus was where I last saw her, but what I did not expect was all that had been laid out before her – the curving, densely planted flowerbeds, the soft-stepped fountain, the mature trees, and so much green grass. It looked beautiful, and was crowded with office workers out for their lunch breaks. I presume Broadgate Venus is delighted.

(The yoga lady in the image above, photographed in 2020, would today have been standing in a flower bed, somewhere in the bottom left quarter of the photograph below, with Broadgate Venus, even further to the left, just outside the frame.)

Copyright Georgie Knaggs & The Phraser 2023