I am well known for cutting it fine when it comes to catching trains. The staff see me coming and know that if the train's on time, it will be along any second now.
This morning was no exception. Having decided to enjoy breakfast and catch the slightly later train, I decided that I had plenty of time, so I enjoyed my breakfast, and then decided to get something out of the freezer to take into the office and heat up in the microwave for lunch; and while I was about it, I rounded up a couple of jumble sale mugs to take into the office.
Suddenly it was only four minutes to train time, and I was only just going out the front door!
Fortunately Stephen had preceded me and already had the Reliant warmed up, so I piled in, got the seat belt fastened and we were off to the station. We made good time down the road, as the traffic lights just up the road must have been red, so we didn't have to wait and give way to anybody.
On arrival at the station, I gave Stephen his goodbye kiss, and went to open the door. Nothing happened. So I put my shoulder into it. The only thing that happened was that the Reliant rocked violently from left to right.
Drastic measures were called for: Stephen got out and came around and opened the door from the outside, promptly slamming it shut without allowing me to retrieve my backpack first. Fortunately the door opened all right from the outside and the backpack was soon retrieved.
I hurried towards the station building, and just caught a glimpse of the London-bound train decelerating into the station. "Oh shit!" said I, and took off at a dead run, down the platform, up the stairs, over the bridge and down the other stairs, taking a flying leap in through the nearest set of open doors.
On arrival at Cannon Street, when I went to stand up, a funny thing happened. I found I'd pulled my hamstring.
Helen
Last Revised: 12th April, 2003.