CHAPTER 1
"Oh no not again!" I gasped as I realised that I had missed the early morning alarm again. This was the third time in the last month I would have to really rush to catch the 7.06 train commute to work.
I had started at this big firm in the city less than 6 months ago moving here from the sticks after a desperately failed relationship went belly up.
A new start was what I needed to clear my head and get my life back on track so I upped and left the small town where I had been raised to find myself in the big city. It was still hard to feel I belonged here, I didn't know that many people only the few I immediately worked with but they all seemed to have such busy lives, meeting deadlines and having a boss that expected everyone to do what they were paid to do without idle chit chat, so they didn't really stop and socialise with other work colleagues.
I ran to the train station and luckily just managed to jump in the carriage before the doors closed behind me. Feeling utterly bedraggled and flustered I tried to apply a little lipstick and some mascara, not very successfully I admit due to the jostling of the crowded carriage and the movement of the train over the tracks.
"Oh well I can always rush into the rest room at work before going up to the tenth floor. Thankfully the elevator was mirrored so I could put some finishing touches together before reaching my floor."
I muttered to myself.
I arrived at my desk with barely two minutes to spare before the boss appeared as he did every morning to check his troops were in place and issue orders and allocate tasks to be completed before disappearing into his own office at the end of the corridor.
With head down I set to work and didn't stop except to grab a sandwich from the machine in the hall way outside our large office when my stomach started to grumble as I hadn't eaten breakfast. I ate it at my desk, no one was chatting, all were too busy and conscious of the boss just down the hall and the half yearly assessment report which was due on each employee. A good report could mean a raise in the pay packet and for some the possibility of moving up the pecking order, so everyone was concentrating on their own particular task and not bothering with anyone else.
Finally the clock showed it was time to close down the computers and tidy desks before joining the hordes of other commuters on the streets and at the train station.
I arrived at my little one bedroomed apartment tired and miserable after a soul destroying day.
"Why oh why can't city people be friendly and talk to each other? All they do is rush around and keep their heads down not making eye contact, not smiling at others. Ah I miss my old life in the small town. '' I gloomily thought.
I didn't even have a pet to talk to as they weren't allowed in this building so had to revert to talking to myself.
After rustling up something to eat I grabbed a bottle of wine from the fridge and settled down on the sofa with only the old TV for company. Flicking through the channels I couldn't find anything I wanted to watch it all seemed to be doom and gloom or boring talk shows. A couple of glasses of wine later I decided to go to bed and try to sleep although what I really wanted was some one to talk to and even have a cuddle with. I missed the contact of being part of a couple, the closeness and sense of belonging, the warm feeling inside when that special person is around.
The following week was much the same as the previous one, rushing to catch the train because the alarm clock was definitely on its way out, I must buy a new one very soon I thought as for the umpteenth time the alarm did not go off at the designated time. Luckily I always managed to get to work before the boss showed up for his daily inspection of his troops and allocation of tasks but it was always a struggle to arrive before him.
Monday arrived again after an uneventful weekend spent doing household chores and lounging around in my pjs, the weather was wet and cold outside and for some reason I couldn't motivate myself to go out even to buy a new alarm clock.
"Oh shit!!'' I grumbled in a panic, not only had the alarm not gone off but when I looked outside I could see flurries of snow coming down which would inevitable make the traffic much slower than it normally is. Grabbing my coat and scarf I rushed to the train station to see the back end of the carriages pulling out of the station.
"Oh shit shit shit!' I moaned "I've definitely missed my train. Now I'll be late for work and the boss is bound to notice I am not sat at my desk when he does his rounds''
The next one was due on another platform in four minutes so rushing and hurrying through the crowds I just managed to jump on before that too left the station.
This carriage wasn't quite as crowded as my usual one so I was able to find a seat thankfully and try to apply some lipstick and mascara in relative comfort. The rocking of the carriage didn't help but somehow I managed and made myself a little bit more presentable. Finishing up and putting my items back in my bag I looked up and saw someone watching me with what looked like a shy smile playing on his face.
Embarrassed I quickly looked away, although I am now used to applying my make up on the train I don't usually get noticed much, because other women are doing much the same and the train is too crowded to stand out.
During the journey I kept finding my eyes drawn to the young man further down the carriage. He had light brown hair neatly cut, he was dressed in a smart suit with what looked like good muscular shoulders filling it out. He was taller than me I guessed about 6' or a tad more. What really stood out for me was his eyes - they were a sparkling blue that seemed to twinkle when he looked at me.
"Oh lord he's gorgeous and I bet he knows it too. I bet he's got loads of girlfriends or will even be married. Just my luck. The first time I see someone that wakes my libido and he'll be unavailable!'
I thought
