"Have I missed the boat" A hint of manic desperation betrays itself in my cracked voice. The customer services assistant looks at me with a twinkle in her eye. How can you be so bloody happy at this time of day I think to myself.
"Yes Sir, sorry but she has just set sail", Again that twinkle.
I groan inwardly, not quite believing that I have missed the boat, depression and a dire need to get of the island grab hold of me.
The Lady behind the counter is talking to me, something about changing my ticket to a later time of day, I explain that I also have rail tickets ad connections. I pick up my bag and head home. I'm still trying to get my head around it when I notice a woman sitting in the main entrance on a suitcase.
"Did you miss the boat as well?" My voice is still a croaky whisper from waking up so suddenly and not having time for a drink.
"Yes" The glum look on her face says it all, she is not a happy bunny, and I can understand totally what she is going through.
" I slept in this morning after setting four alarms last night, just to be sure, and I still slept through them al" She is looking me directly in the eye, and I notice that hers are different colours. One blue and one green, but some how in her face, it doesn't look odd.
"Do you smoke?" I ask taking my tobacco tin from my coat pocket.
"Yes, but I was in such a hurry this morning that I managed to leave my ciggies on the kitchen table" There is a laugh in her voice, even though I suspect that she doesn't find it in the least bit amusing.
"Would you like a roll up?" I ask, taking a pre-rolled fag from my tin and offering it her way.
"Oh, thank you, I have been dying for one since I got up." Her eyes smile this time as she reaches up and takes the pro-offered cigarette from my hand. Our fingers brush as the ciggie changes hands and I look up to find that's she is looking at my face. I smile and drop the fag into her open palm.
"Thank you" She says, now while the smile spread across her face.
"No problem, i'm glad I can help a fellow passenger in need" We both laugh and I reach across and offer her a light. She nods a thanks and draws deeply on her home made cigarette. I can tell like like me that she enjoys a good smoke, she closes her eyes and exhales a long stream of bluish grey smoke from her mouth and nostrils. I can't help but stare, she is a beautiful woman, and she's talking to me. My mind is now working at full speed, and i'm thinking of a way to invite her back to mine for a cup of coffee. I'd hate to come of as a presumptuous pillock and scare her away. I laugh at myself and shake my head gently.
"So where you going home or going on holiday?" She asks with genuine interest.
"I was supposed to be going to Leicester to visit an old friend, but it looks like i'll have to go tomorrow now. What bout yourself?"