1 hour each way. Home to work and back again. 3 days a week. The tube allowed ample time for reading, listening to music and of course, occasionally, spotting the beautiful women who came and left the seats around me.
You'd often spot the same commuters, arriving for the same train each day from their various stops. There was one in particular that I always popped my head up to look out for. One stop after me. Twice a week if I was lucky. She would appear. And my attention would shift to her.
She was not much over 5ft, short, but what she lacked in height she made up for in curves. She would always be bursting from whatever outfit she was wearing. Buxom breasts and ample arse straining to get out from a mini skirt, blouse, t-shirt, jeans or whatever lucky piece of material was touching her skin. She was pretty too. I guessed maybe early 30s, homely but sexy rather than super model stunning; which was was perfect. Straight shoulder length brown hair was so glossy it shined.
When you spend two hours of a day, with a random bunch of strangers, people tend to stick out. And that's exactly what she did. In another world maybe she wasn't even that hot. But in this underground, worker ant environment, she brightened my day.
It was late. Creeping towards to last tube late and I was counting down the stops to home through heavy drunken eyes. I'd been sinking beers since work had finished and was so preoccupied with my hazy thoughts I hadn't even seen the figure now opposite me slip into place.
As I looked up from my phone I realised thankfully that I was through central London and heading to the northern suburbs. The carriage had emptied out and the scrolling display above me showed a few stops to go. As my eyes drifted to a stop having glanced to the giggling couple on my left and the business man to the right they came to rest on the lady sat immediately opposite.
It was her. I nearly did a dramatic double take with shock. But it was her. Looking up from the floor I took in the black knee high boots that met bare pale thigh skin. The alabaster flesh then hit a black leather mini skirt. Trying as covertly as I could I let my gaze drift upwards. A few inches of exposed stomach before a white t-shirt covered the rest of her. Well it tried. The bra was visible through the material, desperately holding back her ginormous rack.
I felt unbelievably awkward as I eventually allowed my vision to reach her face, a voyeur, but was surprised to see her staring back at me. Our eyes met and I couldn't help but smile. She smiled back. Neither of us flinched from our momentary silent acknowledgement.
"Train girl!!" I suddenly blurted without thinking.
"What?" she looked quizzically back at me.
"Sorry...I. Erm..I'm tipsy. Ignore me. I...I just recognise you from this train." I stammered shamefaced.
"Ha! I thought you looked familiar.' I was pleased to hear her respond. Before she added....
"Normally the morning though, huh?"
"Yep. This is completely new." I tried to relax.
"Good night?" she continued the conversation.
I tried to play it cool and told her about my work drinks, before she told me about her similar night. I asked where she was headed, knowing full well her stop and she told me the station I expected. When she asked me I countered with my destination just one further on, but unconsciously added, that I sometimes got off at the same stop as her so I could have a walk. This was an absolute lie but seemed perfectly timed as the train slid to a halt in her terminus.
"So you walking tonight?" she proffered half heartedly as she got up to leave the train.
"Yeah. Yeah. I think I will". I jumped up to follow.
We rode the escalator in silence as I thought about why I had just given myself a far longer walk home. Through the ticket barriers she said she was heading right. This was also the way I would have to go now so I nodded my agreement.
As we passed a still busy and eastern european bar we both at the same time chuckled loudly...
"Sunny Beach!" the name of the classy establishment.
"Great bar!" I added.
"The best." she mockingly nodded back.
I was amazed with myself when I seized the moment and hurriedly spat out.
"Drink? For the road...best bar in town and all...you could have a classy cocktail!" I pointed at the painted advertisement offering beer, wine and cocktails and tried to make it seem jokey.
"Yeah. Why not." I couldn't believe I heard.
We stumbled in and found a table inside ordering beers having decided against the cocktails. And we chatted. It felt surreal. Otherworldly. I still hadn't really taken in what I was doing and who I was with. I wanted to say something about how much I liked seeing her everyday without sounding creepy and so when she opened up with...
"Can't believe I'm having a drink with random tube man! I've seen you looking!"
"What....?" I was genuinely shocked.
"Don't worry. I've looked at you. You know...wonder where he is from, what job, how old? Clearly married." she pointed at my wedding ring.
I ignored that bit and agreed.
"So true. I always think those things. It makes the journeys more bearable. And of course you bring added enjoyment." I forwardly added.
"Really? Tell me more." she tilted her head and smiled teasingly.
I was about to backtrack and act all innocent when the devil on my shoulder intervened. Nothing to lose.
"Well...OK. This might sound weird...but fuck it. Honestly...I just love seeing you. It makes the trip so much easier when you get on. You're hot. I know I shouldn't be perving but hey ho."
She didn't reply but I felt her leg under the table rub against mine. This was no accident. I froze as she clearly teased my legs with her boot. She fixed me in the eyes, a changed person.
"What do you think about when you see me?" she probed.
"Just how gorgeous you are."
