Downstream

a licence from the Port of
London Authority.’ I stare at
her, astounded that the PLA
granted Mercedes permission
to swim in the filthy, crowded
river in the middle of
London. ‘She applied for a
licence to swim on Sundays
and they gave it to her. I find
that incredible. The PLA
didn’t raise any objections
about health and safety; they
didn’t say “no, it’s too
polluted”. Mercedes just saw