The Train Journey
Hubby was going down to London on business. So I phoned my Aunt Rose and we agreed to meet for a bit of shopping and lunch. She lives in Stratford, which is about an hour's drive away. We try and get out together every now and again to catch up on the gossip. I'd told Auntie that I would come down on the train, this would give us both the chance to have a little drink.
I decided to be casual so I buttoned up my denim mini skirt, put on a white T-shirt, squeezed into my black knee high boots and threw on my denim jacket. I kissed Hubby goodbye and off I went to the station which is about fifteen minutes walk away.
At the station I met Albert, my neighbour from across the road, "Hello dear, and where are you off to." I explained where I was going. He told me he was off to a photo exhibition. Albert is a keen amateur photographer. Every Thursday he and his friend Ronnie have a "shoot". They are both very good, Hubby and I have told them to go professional.
The train was busy, but Albert and I managed to find seats. I sat down and looked out of the window. Albert was explaining about his new camera and his plans for a shoot at his studio. I know nothing about photography so I was glad that he got off at the next station. Albert is a nice old man, very harmless, but he does like to talk about his favourite subject. It's worst when he's with Ronnie!
At Stratford Aunt Rose and myself shopped till we dropped. I got some makeup, and some new clothes. We had lunch then it was time for home. At the station I kissed Auntie goodbye, and got onto the last coach on the train and headed home.
It was empty; I sat myself down at the back of the coach the train then began to move. "Tickets please." said a voice, it was the guard. I handed him my ticket, he looked at it smiled then carried on up the train. He was quite a large man who obviously liked his beer judging by his stomach; he was at a guess a bit older than my husband. It was while watching him walk up the carriage that I realised that I needed the loo. The loo was behind me so I got up and nipped in. The inside was a mess! The smell was terrible, paper was everywhere and, well I hope it was water, was all over the floor. I immediately walked out and began to walk to the other toilet at the top of the coach. On my way I passed the guard on his way back. I smiled then dived into the loo, thank goodness this one was clean. It was only while I was washing my hands that I thought about the guard. I hope he doesn't think I made that mess!
On the way back to my seat I noticed the guard come out of the messy toilet, he looked at me suspiciously. I could feel myself go red.
"Do you know anything about this?" he said.
"No! No! It was like that when I went in." my body was trembling.
"Vandalism is a criminal offence you know. If you have done this it could mean you being arrested. It doesn't look good you are the only one in this carriage." He walked away from the door.
"But it wasn't me." I said shocked that he thought I could do a thing like that.
"That's what they all say!" his voice had got sterner, "If I had my way vandals would be whipped in public, they would never damage property again."
This sounded like the start of a "game", I wondered if he would co-operate. The thought of being spanked on a train, in public, and by a stranger was quite a challenge!
