Ladies’ Man

It was simple enough. "Meet me on Platform 7," he’d said. "You’ll easily spot me, I’ll be wearing a red scarf."

I was traveling out of county, on the 10:20 train to York. From there we would explore the city together, have lunch, take in a few sights, the cathedral, the castle, maybe a trip on the river.

The next bit wasn’t so simple. It had been over thirty years since we’d seen each other. He’d tracked me down through mutual acquaintances on LinkedIn. I was surprised that he messaged me at all, and also surprised at the memories that came flooding back.

We’d been boyfriend and girlfriend during our first year at Uni. It wasn’t to last, though. It made me smile now, to remember how tall and good-looking he was. He’d always been a magnet for the ladies.

Now, so many years later, his wife had passed away and suddenly, he wanted to rekindle things. But I was in a relationship with my partner who was very much alive. When I told him, he countered that we should meet up as friends, a catch-up of sorts. He paused. It would do him good … take him out of the dark days since his wife’s passing. There was so much emotion in his voice that I finally agreed.

It was just one day. Catching up. Old friends.

The train pulled up slowly at the platform. It was much busier than I’d expected. There was a party of perfectly groomed women, about nine or ten of them, all chattering loudly, lavishly dressed, hair, lips, and red nails gleaming.

Ahh, a Ladies’ Day out, I thought. They seemed to be milling around something or someone. I couldn’t quite tell what until I stepped off the train onto the platform.

Then I saw him, in his red scarf, tall, still handsome, surrounded by the whole party of women. When he saw me, he raised his hand upwards by way of greeting.

"Grace," he cried. "You’re here!"

Some of the women turned to stare at me. He seemed oblivious.

"Err … hi?" I proffered.

He beamed his brightest smile.

"I’m so glad you could make it! Well then, we’re all here! Come on, now, lovely ladies, two of you grab an arm each, and the rest of you, keep up! Where to first?"

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