Bakerloo Tube

The Bakerloo tube train pulled in - somehow reminded me of the old 1990s space shuttles - white and sturdy and fast but past its prime. I jumped in, to take it up to Paddington and then back on the sleek green train back to Exeter.

I stood initially, felt bulky with my bags.

Then sat. It was fairly quiet.

Then stood, when a lovely old guy with a fedora came in.
"Can't really socially distance in here can we?" his eyes sparkled a bit "It's good to see everyone"
Across from him, a guy dressed in black, with a shiny Star of David round his neck, shiny reflective John Lennon glasses, impeccable nail polish and a stunning diamond ring on his right hand. 
"Its getting more full... I just came off a boat party. I love it. Things are finally feeling normal"
 They shuffled to make space for a woman in hotel uniform, who propped her head against the window and fell asleep. A young guy with a floppy fringe  standing opposite me started chatting about the boat party with the amazing diamond ring guy. I think I had heard them when I was by the thames earlier and told him so - they were loud and wonderful to see.

The old guy clasped his hands together - "oh this is lovely, 10 years ago, you never would have had Londoners chat on the tube like this. It's like Europe, like Cyprus.."

"Oh!" I apologised. "I'm from New Zealand"
"Birmingham" said the boat guy
"Cambridge" said the fringe guy
"Oh." said the Cyprus guy "I just missed my stop."

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