Brief encounter

The doors on the train slid open.

‘Hey!’ He waved and stepped onto the platform.

Sarah dashed forward and threw her arms around him. ‘At last! What was the problem?’

‘Signal failure. It took an age to fix.’

‘I know! I’ve had three cups of coffee whilst waiting. I’m buzzing like a wind-up toy! Come-on, my parents are dying to meet you.’

They started to head for the exit.

‘My scarf!’ He turned and dashed back onto the train.

‘Conor!’

The doors clunked shut behind him.

He turned, jabbing at the button, then rested his forehead forlornly against the glass.