| |
Several years ago I spent a few months on the dole. I had just returned from a period of traveling and my wardrobe was something of a shambles. So, when my mother bought me a leather jacket for my birthday I was delighted. It was only from Marks & Spencers, but I had lost touch with what was truly fashionable and it looked quite stylish to me.
At the time, I had a girlfriend who often had to work late and then travel home by train. She used to worry about the walk back to our flat, so I would usually go down to the station and meet her. On my birthday, I wore my new jacket, feeling a new confidence inspired by my improved style. I arrived at the station a little early, and waited by the ticket barriers. The train arrived, and I straightened up from my leaning position against the wall. The first passenger, a guy of about my age in a smart, navy blue suit passed through the barrier, and then, with barely a look in my direction, said, “There you go mate,” and handed me his ticket. The woman behind him followed suit, and by the time my girlfriend passed through the barrier I was readily accepting tickets and saying “Cheers” to the people who passed me them.
“What are you doing, babe?” asked my girlfriend. “Are you working here?”
“Well, I didn’t want to,” I began.
|
|
