Friendly Friday

I made new friend today. I didn't want to, or even intend to. It just happened.

I got onto a very busy, crowded train in Doncaster in order to travel to Manchester. I managed to wedge myself into the last seat round a table of four and gave a tentative, apologetic smile to the man in the next seat as I sat down. He needed no further encouragement. Between Doncaster and Manchester Piccadilly I must have got his life story. I kept putting on my glasses (a sign that I want to read) and wafting my book in front of his face but he wasn't to be deterred. I gave up in the end and just listened and smiled in all the right places.

Then, on the way home, on another busy train, I wished I'd been more pleasant towards him. With one exception (me), every person in my carriage was plugged into some sort of device. I overheard four competing phone calls and listened to two different films on the two iPads in front of me, all against the backdrop of the tinny music emanating from dozens of pairs of headphones. For all that I'm quite a shy, reserved person, I felt quite sad that very few of us makes an effort to talk to other people any more.

So, Stuart, my new found friend, I hope you have a good weekend in Southport. He had a rucksack full of beer so I'm sure he's well on the way to having a good time.