Olivia.

I ran towards the train station, I knew with everything that had happened this morning that there was a huge chance that I would miss this. Please let the train still be there, I couldn’t miss it. Running through the double doors of the station I headed straight for platform four. I had been counting down the days for this journey all week, possibly longer and this was my one chance, I couldn’t and wouldn’t let that go to waste. I ran through the tunnel that would take me right out onto the platform where my train should be waiting. As I neared the opening I could see it still sat their in all its blue and yellow glory. I slowed my frantic run to more of a fast paste walk as my feet landed on the platform. A few more steps and I was pushing the button to the right of the door forcing it to open. I had done it, I had made the train that would take me all the way into the city and to the place that was potentially, hopefully going to change my life. I turned to the left and through the narrow door that would lead me straight to my seat. Hopefully the half an hour journey would allow me to get my thoughts in order to what the hell I was going to say in the interview. I didn’t think somehow they would think that highly of someone who walked in, burst into tears and begged and pleaded for a new job. But that’s how I felt, that desperate. My job back home was good, that wasn’t the problem, no my problem lied with the person that shared the office with me. Why is it that some people think they are just so much better than someone else? Why do some people think that they can bully their way to the top because they think they can do a better job than the one your doing? I had always been confident in my position but over the last few months the constant put downs had taken their toll. Sleepless nights and panic attacks before entering my place of work where now something that over the past few months had become a normal part of my day.

I looked at the seat numbers at the top of each seat. Why is it that every time you step onto a train, you always seemed to be at the opposite end to where your seat is? I carried on shuffling my way down the narrow walk way as the train made a jolt forward as it started to move. I grabbed hold of the headrest to my left to stop me from falling forward. My seat was two places in front of me and I closed my eyes momentarily and sighed as the back of a mans head showed someone would be sitting next to me. I just hoped that he wasn’t a talker.

George.

I had been stood on the platform for just under an hour when I saw the train finally making its appearance. I had to be here, in this station, I just wasn’t sure getting on the train was the best thing to do. There was nothing for me at the other end now. I had nothing to return to in the city, she had seen to that. I had known what I was going to do today as soon as I walked out of the court house, I just wasn’t sure when I was going to do it. My heart pounded as the train got closer, but by the time the train got to the end of the platform it wasn’t putting out enough speed to knock a bird over never mind put me out of my mystery. No I would have to board the train, travel to the city then find one that would take me off this planet once and for all. I watch as it pulls to a stop in front of me, all the time thinking what it would be like to be laying underneath its wheels. The doors of the train opened almost as if they where telling me to go inside instead of underneath it, I did as it wanted and stepped on board. It won’t be long though, I was sure at some point today the tracks would take my life. I stepped through the doors and turned right and made my way up the carriage to find my seat. I prayed that I would be sat alone, the last thing I wanted was to be sat next to some person that wanted to tell me their life story. I had had enough of life, mine or anyone else’s. I looked towards the two seats where one of them had my number on it, a small bit of relief washed over me at the sight of them being empty. Sitting down I closed my eyes trying to think about the best place to go to end it all.

Olivia.

“Hi would you mind if I get to my seat, it’s the window one?” I asked trying my best not to sound irritated at the thought of having to sit next to someone for the whole journey. I wasn’t sure if the man that had already taken his seat was asleep or not but either way it didn’t take him long to open his eyes and stand to make room for me to squeeze in. Sitting down I glanced out of the window at the fast paced scenery as we left the town behind. I placed my head against the window sighing as the coolness of the glass pressed against my burning forehead. I can’t believe I almost missed the train. I had had a phone call from work about a meeting, the only thing that did was make it obvious to me, as if it wasn’t before how much I needed this trip today. They had wanted me in the office even though this day had been booked of for weeks. Sitting upright I fished into my handbag that was tight on my lap and brought out my notebook. Normal people nowadays have gone digital, but I have always preferred the old fashioned way of writing things down. Flicking through the list of questions I had for the job interview I glanced up to the man next to me. He was staring at the back of the chair in front in that awkward way that meant I was going to have to say something.

“So you going to the city?”

George.

As soon as I heard the woman’s voice and had to open my eyes I knew that she would talk to me. She seamed the type as soon as I saw her that she wasn’t someone to practice comfortable silence.

“Well this is the train that goes to the city.” I said then hated myself. I didn’t mean to be snappy with her, it wasn’t her fault after all. I took a deep breath then spoke again. “Yes, but not for long.” My gaze fell to my knees, I couldn’t make eye contact with the woman, I guess I was afraid of what she might see.

“Me too.” She replied. “Job interview.” She continued to talk me through the problems with her job. I was slightly confused at why she was telling me it all but then I got the impression she just wanted to unload.

“So tell me about you, do you live in the city?” She asked after around twenty minutes of conversation about her. I did feel for her by now. Nobody deserves to feel the way she did in the work place. But at least she had a job.

“No, well I did once but not anymore. I had to go back to town. Family matters.”

“Oh really.” She said and I could tell that she wanted to know more. It was probably because she felt guilty now for talking that long about herself.

“My mother and father died and I had that to sort and I was hoping to see my son after, let’s just say a long time. But it turns out he’s moved and now I have nothing. I gave up my flat when I helped out mum and dad, now the council have taken theirs so I have nothing.” I turned to look at her then and I saw sadness in her eyes. She pitied me, it was written all over her face. I turned my gaze away again, it was a look that I couldn’t stand.

Olivia.

Sadness, that’s way I saw in his eyes. And when he spoke you could tell that this was a man with nothing left to live for. I had bent his ear for god knows how long about all the stupid stresses of work and this was a man going through more turmoil than I would wish on anyone. I had only been sat with him for a short while but he seemed like a decent person. He didn’t deserve to have that look on his face. There was something about him.

“So what are your plans now then?” I asked forcing him to look at me again. I tried my best to remove the sadness from my face, I guessed that would be the last thing he wanted to see.

“Honestly before stepping onto this train I was about to jump under it.” He said it so calmly it took me by surprise and I gasped.

“I am sorry, I don’t no why I said it like that. You don’t need to hear about it.”

“No it’s ok, you sound like you do need someone to talk to.” I said. With the way that he just came out and said it I could tell that he meant every word. I was worried for him now. The way that he was sat there it was like he was already gone.

George.

What the hell had I been thinking? Why did I have to come out and say it like that. This poor woman with a mind full of other things now has to sit next to a middle aged man and listen to him tell her that he was just about to end his life.

“I’m Olivia by the way.” She said reaching her hand out to me.

“George.” I said before shaking hers.

Just then a voice came over the tannoy announcing we were coming into the station.

“Well it’s time for your interview.” I said and managed a small smile. I really hoped that she would just put what I had said behind her and would just carry on, as soon as I looked at her face again though I knew that she wasn’t about to do that.

“Well George you worried now.” She said and returned my smile with one of her own.

“Don’t be it’s ok.” I said and it was strange, it felt like she was someone who I had known for along time.

“Get off the train with me and come for a drink.” She said and it was more like an order than anything else.

“No. You have things to do. And if what you have been telling me is true, you need a new job.”

“But you having someone to talk to right now seems more important than anything. Please. I really don’t feel like people help each other out enough anymore. At the end of the day we are all just humans trying to get through this life thing the best we can. Let me help you.” I had no idea where this woman had come from but as the train pulled to a stop and we stood up from our seats I knew that with the offer of that drink she had just saved me. At least from dying today.