say it with flowers
It was late in the afternoon, but I needed to get home. Clasping a large bunch of fresh spring flowers (relationship insurance premium) I walked quickly down Praed Street to Paddington and scanned the train departure screens. A West Country train in ten minutes! I ran to the platform barrier to show my ticket but was rebuffed by an inspector saying ‘This is a cheapskate SuperSaver ticket and is only valid on trains after 18.30′ (or words to that effect).
The thought of spending two more hours on that dreary cash-sucking concourse, with its sushi conveyor belts and endless donut concessions was more than I could tolerate. I found the First Great Western information desk and joined a very short queue. Come on come on. My turn came. I laid the flowers down in front of me and handed over my ticket. ‘Is there any chance I could pay for this ticket to be upgraded for the next train – you see I need to get home’. The woman behind the counter looked up at me, looked back down at the flowers and rapidly scribbled some hieroglyphics on the ticket. How much do I need to pay for the upgrade? I said, getting out my wallet. ‘Nothing’ she replied, looking down at the flowers and smiling ‘Flowers like that shouldn’t be kept waiting for anyone’. She glanced at her computer terminal ‘You had better be quick, your train is leaving shortly’. Finally I understood that great line from Seigfried Sassoon ‘Everyone suddenly burst out singing; And I was filled with such delight’.
Tags: First Great Western, Flowers, Paddington Station, Seigfried Sassoon