23:50hrs. The overhead display was showing the expected time of departure so, no delays. I was standing at London Euston station with five minutes to spare. I looked around for one of the customer service people, wondering where the platform was. Pointed in the right direction, I picked up my bag and dashed along the platform.
I walked up the carriages, looking for my cabin. I found it and used my card to open it. To my astonishment, there was someone sitting on the bottom berth. He looked up, startled. I apologised and introduced myself. He stood up and shook my hand, telling me to call him Alex. The first thing I noticed was his gorgeous blue eyes. I shook his hand firmly. He was in good shape for someone in his sixties, just a couple of years older than me, I guessed. I warmed to him immediately.
I stowed my bag and threw back the duvet on my bunk. It looked comfortable to me. Bit of a climb to get up but it will be comfortable enough.
I asked Alex if he was going to eat. He nodded and I suggested we go together, the lounge car was in the next carriage. I opened the door, letting him in front of me. I studied him as I followed him along the carriage. He did look in good shape. Closely cropped hair hid the bald patches. He walked in a confident manner, walking erect, possibly ex services, I thought as a wicked thought crossed my mind.
We sat down and ordered a light supper. I could see his face clearer now we were sitting across from each other. Yes, his eyes were dreamy, I was almost mesmerised. I really liked the look of him. He was wearing a suit, I was in casual jeans and jumper on my way home from a long weekend in London. We were both going to Edinburgh, arriving at 07:20 hrs in the morning.
Alex was on his way home after doing some business in London. He preferred the sleeper as he didn't like flying. 'It was comfortable,' he told me. I couldn't disagree. Only downside is that you can find yourself sharing with a complete stranger. The cabins are two berth, not one berth as the first class cabins have. I didn't mind, I thought Alex was cute. I wondered if he was gay. That would be nice. I decided to try and test his reaction.
As the server came with our supper, I let my leg briefly touch his, under the table. Not a good sign, he didn't react at all. As we ate, we joked with each other, hearing each other's funny anecdotes. I touched his hand, very briefly as I laughed at his story. Again, no reaction. Not a rejection though. I continued to flirt carefully. Just enough that it could be seen as accidental or casual but giving out signals. Still he didn't respond. I calmed down, he wasn't interested. Oh well, that's life.
