Like Ships that Pass In The Night - Part 5

And so without further ado (and no waffle as promised) here is part 5

----

Like Ships That Pass In the Night

Part 5

“Taxi”

The traffic lights turn to red and the taxi pulls up. The warm afternoon sun shines though the window onto the two passengers.

“It’s stupid I know” says the man        

“Not really,” the woman replies, “there might be a perfectly good reason why she refused the offer of a coffee.”

The lights turn from red to green and the taxi starts off again.

“What time is your train?” he asks.

“Twenty past five. And don’t change the subject.” The woman smiles as she speaks, brushing her blonde hair back over an ear.

“Give me a break,” he replies. He shuffles awkwardly in his seat and looks out of the window into the streets as the pass by. He watches as the pedestrians go about their own lives with their own hopes and dreams. How many are like his, he wonders, how many dramas are being played out at this moment thanks to a chance encounter at a train station.

“You’re not going sulk, are you Anthony?” the woman says playfully, “I shall have to tell Steven if you do.”

“You can tell my brother in law whatever you like,” Anthony says.

. The taxi drives around a corner, a little too fast and Anthony has to grab the arm rest of the door to stop himself sliding into his sister. She brings a hand to her mouth to stifle a laugh.

“You need to ask her again. You know what they say, nothing ventured and all that.”

“If I ever see her again.”

“Now don’t go all sourpuss on me little brother. That’s always been your trouble.”

“There could be any number of obstacles. She could be married. She might not like me,”

“She might just feel the same way you do,” She says leaning over, “you’ll never know unless you try.”

Anthony sees the approach to the station and a few seconds later they have arrived. He can see the amount to pay on the display above the taxi drivers head and pulls out his wallet. Handing over a ten pound note he tells the driver to keep the change. He steps out holding the door as his sister gets out after him. The door is closed as the taxi pulls away.

“Got everything?” He asks.

“It was only an afternoon trip little brother. We see too little of each other as it is.”

“Well don’t leave it so long next time. Give my love to Steven.” He takes his sister in a warm embrace and kisses her on the cheek. She is about to walk away when she sees Anthony has paused and is looking at someone. She follows his gaze and sees a woman coming out of the station carrying a coffee. She watches as he raises his hand to wave and sees the light and joy in his eyes. Then she watches as the woman pauses for a moment before hurrying off down the road and her brother’s face happiness to turn confusion.