Creative Writing - 18.05.2020

The Journey 

By Esther P. Clarke 

Melissa stood on the crowded platform with her boyfriend of 3 years who was swearing under his breath because the train was 5 minutes late. 

               ‘Luke, what about some dinner after work?’ she asked. 

               ‘Hun, let’s get on this train first.’ 

Everyone piled on as soon as the train doors opened - builders pulling wheelie tool boxes and suitcases, office workers in summer dresses and suits, and children travelling to posh schools in the city.  The train was stuffy with the aroma of coffee, energy drinks and the pungent scent from the onboard toilet. 

               ‘What about the cinema?’ Melissa suggested as they stood squashed together in the aisle. 

               ‘Don't fancy it.’ 

A seat became available at the next station. Luke grinned stupidly at the pretty woman who let him sit down. He only asked Melissa if she wanted to sit after she glared at him, but she shook her head and he shrugged his shoulders and settled back in his seat. 

  ‘What do you want to do then?’ She asked. 

               ‘I'm not bothered,’ he said, looking up briefly as he searched in his man bag for his headphones. 

Melissa rested her face against the pole she was holding, listening to two foreign builders having an animated conversation.  She didn’t understand them, but whatever they were discussing sounded more interesting than trying to arrange spending any time with Luke.   

She tapped her boyfriend on his shoulder and he half-removed his headphones. 

‘Yes?’  

               ‘We could go to my mum’s?’ 

Luke laughed drily: ‘bless her for helping with our deposit, but we really don’t have to be in her pocket all the time.  We saw her 3 weeks ago.’ 

The train sped through St Johns and New Cross, where it stopped temporarily and the driver announced there was “congestion” in the London Bridge area. Melissa sighed and turned her slightly too big engagement ring on her finger, wishing it would fall off and get lost. On arrival at London Bridge, hordes of people disembarked from the train and Melissa could finally sit down. 

               ‘Luke,’ she said as she shook his knee roughly to get his attention.  He opened his eyes and removed his headphones, allowing the tinny music to escape. 

              ‘We’re not going to your sister’s...’ He said, tiredly scrolling to the next song on his phone. 

              ‘Let’s just end it.’  

‘End what?’ 

‘Us...’ She said, watching his face suddenly clench, as he attempted to pull her closer for a cuddle. 

              ‘Don’t be silly, darling. It’s just the stress of the wedding talking.  We will get through this...’ 

‘We’re miserable. Nothing’s going to change.’  

‘Come on, let’s grab a coffee and sort this out,’ he offered, planting a moist kiss on her cheek. 

The train terminated at Charing Cross, 10 minutes late.  A mass of commuters made their way to the barriers, separating beyond.  Melissa ran for the No.11 bus, leaving Luke queuing at Costa coffee.  She was out-of-breath but she finally made it.  She was happy to be free.