Usually Paul Sharpe caught a much earlier train but on Wednesdays he had an evening class and the class went on until late. Too late, he thought. Still dressed in his suit from the office, Paul sometimes really had to leg it for the railway station after Miss Tembrill talked for a bit too long at the Institute. Almost the wrong side of forty Paul did not find the last dash for the train the easiest of things.
This was all back in the days when trains were rather different from nowadays. The ability to walk the whole length of the train was not always a feature of the rolling stock, particularly on the line Paul used. The arrangement not simply compartments with a corridor but often compartments without a corridor, just a door on either side. They increased the capacity by avoiding the space for a corridor and worked well for short distances and suburban commuter journeys. Once in the compartment you were stuck until the next station and in that risk to personal safety came the seeds of the corridor less carriage's demise.
Paul's station was half an hour down the line. An unusually long distance between stations for such rolling stock. Sometimes he could get stuck with some loquacious man who, clearly, had enjoyed a few drinks after work but other times he might have the compartment to himself and drift off into slumber only to wake as the train slowed for his station. He had not missed the stop... yet.
It was one Wednesday in February when Paul raced for the train, almost slipping on the icy platform and only just made it. He grabbed at the handle of an already moving carriage, pulled open the door despite the whistling of the platform staff and tumbled into the compartment. He found he was not alone.
A couple looked at him with undisguised hostility. A young couple and very clearly they were a couple, demonstrated by the arm the boy had around the girl.
"Oh," said Paul, "sorry. I almost missed my train. I..." He very nearly had said he hoped he was not disturbing them but it was more than evident he was. The occupants were clearly not at all happy or amused. It was as plain as anything, as plain as the mirror above the seating or the pattern on the seats..
"Please. Don't mind me. I'm going to have a nap. So tired." He settled himself in the opposite corner from them and as the train built up speed the gentle rocking had its usual soothing effect. He was asleep within seconds.
It was perhaps the whispered 'hurry up' but more likely the change in note as the train began to slow for his station that woke Paul. Awake, conscious but not actually giving any sign of it, Paul was suddenly very aware that he was within feet of a couple engaged in that most natural of pastimes - copulation. The temptation to open his eyes was strong but it seemed more than a little rude. He had already disturbed them by getting into their carriage. It seemed more than unfair to spoil the conclusion of their play. It was funny hearing the noises nonetheless. It was not exactly something he was used to. He was a little shocked. Paul had realised he had disturbed their time together when he had entered the compartment but had thought what he had disturbed would be just a little kissing not somewhat more than petting.
"Hurry, Bill we're slowing."
The train might have been slowing but Paul could hear that Bill - he now knew his name - was doing quite the opposite. He waited as long as he could but the train really was braking to a halt. He made a bit of a show of 'waking up' but, even so, did not miss the condom being dropped into a pocket or the girl smoothing down her skirts. Her blush was a delight. She was rather pretty.
"Sorry again," said Paul as he lowered the window and reached for the handle.
"Er... yeah... thanks... it's our only chance in the week. No... um... opportunity with her mother's eyes... or my mum's for that matter."
Paul had not really expected a reply. It was less hostile than he had expected. A remarkable confidence and explanation really. Not hostile at all. He turned and nodded to the couple. Amazing to think he had been there with them whilst they had been doing 'that.'
It was not intentional but exactly the same thing happened the week after. Not quite as dramatic because the train was not moving but the train started as soon as Paul pulled the door shut and realised who else was in the compartment. He had not been thinking. Had not really looked. He had been tired after all. There was no chance to move compartments.
"Oh, no! I... look this was not deliberate. Sorry. I'll go to sleep again. I will." And he did just that, he was after all dog tired, though it has to be said that Paul was not quite so circumspect about not looking on waking. It was not that he opened his eyes completely but just a crack gave him a very pleasing view of exposed breasts and a lot of thigh and, less pleasingly, the sight of most of a wilting penis and another used condom being pulled from it.
Paul also learnt the girl's name - Anne or was it Ann? Sandy hair all tied back in a pony tail, pleasantly rounded - in Paul's opinion - with ample bosom and good strong thighs. He would have called her mouth 'generous' and her high cheekbones 'striking.' He had other words for her plump thighs...
It was certainly deliberate on his part the next Wednesday. Deliberate in the sense of deliberately trying to avoid spoiling their fun. He made sure he was there early, leaving even before Miss Tembrill had quite finished and neither Bill and Ann nor anyone else were in the compartment he chose. Paul settled back in his corner feeling he had done the 'right thing.' It had been a hard day and the evening class never an easy addition to the working day. He was looking forward to getting home and having a nice cup of tea and some beans on toast with plenty of butter. His eyelids were already beginning to droop.