Revisiting… Encounters
August 30, 2010
I wouldn’t have taken any notice of the middle-aged lady who stepped onto the number 11 that day. Its just that we were in the midst of the first proper thunderstorm of the season and she was the only other person to use the service that morning. In fact, it seemed we were the only people on the road that day. With the rain lashing against the windows, I could barely see beyond a few feet.
I couldn’t put my finger on it at first, but something wasn’t quite right. Then it struck me, it was the expression on her face. She had just paid for a ticket when a young man, completely drenched, ran in after her. She looked at him and scrambled up the stairs. He followed. I wondered whether I should do the same, but they both came rushing down a few seconds later.
‘Stop the bus,’ the lady screamed. ‘Please, I insist you stop the bus!’ The driver turned back and glared at her and continued to drive.
It was obvious she was distressed. Whilst I was tempted to intervene, I made a decision not to get involved until it was absolutely necessary. Besides, if anything did go wrong or the young man resorted to violence I could tackle him right away. They were standing just a few seats ahead, close enough for me to hear what was being said.
For a few seconds they just stared at each other. The wild rain had hemmed us in from all sides and the atmosphere in the bus was tense. Then when he took a step forward, she instantly stepped back. He held up his hand and apologized. The next time he tried, he held out his hand for her to take. She looked at it, confused.
‘Please, I just want to talk,’ he said.
The lady glanced in my direction. Caught by surprise I looked away but wasn’t quick enough. I was worried that they would go back upstairs. But much to my relief they stayed below. Perhaps she did feel safer in my company. In any case I took out the day’s paper and pretended to read to avoid drawing any more attention to myself.
As they walked past me, to the back of the bus, I caught a whiff of her perfumed. It sounds strange to say, but it smelt quite old fashioned. I don’t think she was from the city.
