Martha sighed and settled into the blue cloth seat, happy to be sitting for the last leg of her journey home. The tube delays meant standing on the platform for the better part of 40 minutes--and that after a full day's menial work. Standing pressed against the regular rush hour strangers through each stop and line change since leaving the office had almost done her in. Standing, standing, standing.
Closing her eyes, Martha let go of the tension that always seemed to gather between her shoulder blades, right below her neck. Almost home. As her eyes opened, she caught sight of a man her age sitting across from her and four seats to the right. One finger marked his spot in a thick novel as he stared into space.
The train slowed to a stop and announced her destination. She self consciously picked up her pack, straightened her skirt, and exited after the man. Riding up the escalators she thought he glanced in her direction but couldn't be sure. It happened when a couple of other passengers, a tired-looking mum and her two children, got on the escalator behind Martha. Martha smiled as the two children raucously sang the same three bars of music from the latest Disney film. Her smile tried to include the man but when she dared to turn his way, he was also smiling to himself, but not looking at her.
The winter sky outside of the station revealed a night irretrievable and forlorn. Velvety blue melted downward into hazy lilac and dusky pink over the silent common. The serenity of the scene made Martha glad she had moved out of the hustle and bustle of central London.
By the time she looked around, the man was gone, the reality of him floating away on the increasing wind.
Martha bit her lip and glanced around once more to be sure. He was sure to have noticed her. Didn't he? She pulled her coat around her tighter and began the trek down the hill to her flat.
She put the kettle on the hob and went into her room to change. Martha sighed again as she exchanged her tight skirt and fitted jumper for yoga bottoms and an oversized t-shirt.
Back in the kitchen she munched on a biscuit with her back to the countertop, brooding on a pair of green eyes. The wind picked up outside. When it howled against the window, Martha flinched.
