Victoria

Trig took the letter from his jacket pocket and slipped into the letterbox. As he turned to walk toward the stairs to the Underground, he was almost knocked over by a young man with long spiked hair. Trig yelled out to him “You ignorant Git! Why don’t you watch where you‘re going?”
“Piss off ya Clot” was the reply he heard. “Bloody Wanker” Trig thought as he gathered himself and headed toward the stairs.

He always enjoyed the trip down the stairs. It meant his mundane day had drawn to an end as he descended into South Kensington Station. He had completed this descent thousands of times and rode the District Line twice that, to and from his flat in East Ham.
Trigg was well off and educated, but he could never break himself of sounding like a punk from the streets of south London. You wouldn’t know it from talking to him that he got his two-two from the University of Westminster.

When he was in the Underground he always enjoyed watching people. Observing their clothing and mannerisms. Laughing to himself when he would see people less fortunate or less educated than himself.
He never has warm words for nutters, codgers or bum chums. But the things that irritates him the most are young mothers blocking the doors and isles with their prams.

Dancing on the walkway, Trig anxiously awaits his train. Impatient and brash, he never thinks twice to make his disgust known publicly. He’s been known to call someone out for looking at him when he does this. The trains are rarely late on the District Line, but London is a big city. No one else in the station seems to mind a few minutes of delay.

The train pulls into the station and Trig starts walking toward the door of the third car before the train even stops. “C’mon! Open the bleedin doors ya bastards!” Trig yells to the train as if someone can hear him.
Once inside he always takes the seat right by the door. He has his reasons and is quite adamant about it if someone is setting there. The regulars on the train know better than to take his seat because they just don’t want to hear him carrying about! This seat is right across from where Victoria sets everyday.

Of course, Victoria is not her name. Trig doesn’t know her name. He lovingly calls her Victoria because thats the name of the station where she gets on. Everyday is the same. The overhead voice calls out that the next stop is Victoria Station and his heart jumps. His palms get sweaty and his breathing changes. Trig has loved Victoria for three years now. From the first time she caught his eye he has secretly loved her.

The train stops and Victoria climbs aboard. Trig can hear his heart beating in his ears. The noise from his nervous swallows makes a loud crackling gulp sound which echoes through his head. My God, she gets more beautiful everyday Trig says normally to himself, but today out loud. Victoria glances at him. Tall, thin and beautiful, Victoria has the warm smile of caring nurse and eyes that barely mask her devilish demeanor. Victoria says “Excuse me?”. Trig has read her chapter, by chapter for three years, but only in silence. “Oh my God, she spoke to me!” he said to himself. In this mind the dam had just burst. Washing away with it his clarity and reason. His inner dialog kicks into overdrive. “Oh shit! What do I do? What do I say? Try to keep it together old man. Don’t screw this up! Right, Just say hello… Or…Or say something clever and witty!”

His mouth opens and just hangs there. The look in his eyes was like a thief caught in the act. Trembling, he says: “I said you were beautiful… Uh, not that I want to have a shag here on the train… Um… I mean, of course I’d love to have a shag with you but… Just… Not on… The train… Damn… Victoria just stands there with a blank puzzled yet annoyed look on her face. Once again his inner dialog takes over. “Oh well that was just bloody brilliant! Dammit man, pull yourself together ya bastard!” I’m terribly sorry, Trig says. My name is Trig and I’ve fancied you for some time now. Oh, says Victoria. Really? Oh yes, says Trig.

Victoria takes her seat. She looks across at Trig and asks, So do you shag many women on the train? What? Trig asks in horror. Well you said you fancy me and you’d like a go at me but not on the train. I just figured… Oh God NO! Trig blurts out! I do fancy you… Yes! Do I want to shag you? No… I mean, givin the chance, of course but I mean, I barely know you. In a calming voice Victoria says: Trig was it? Right, well then Trig, I can tell you are quite nervous. And breaking the ice sometimes can be murder. I’ve sat here for 3 years waiting for you to talk to me. You were always so cute the way you’d peer over your paper at me… Do you mind if I come over and set beside you? Nervously Trig says “sure”. Here let me move me overcoat.

His eyes followed the outline of her body as she gathered her things and moved toward him. She moves so graceful, like a ballerina. She takes the seat next to him. Right then, she says. Where were we? Oh yes, The way you peer at me over your paper thinking I cant see you. Nervously coughing and lowering your head when I’d catch you. Trig just stares at her and his mind is wondering about touching her as she is speaking. Caressing her soft bosom and feeling her thigh. Suddenly there is silence and he is caught with that guilty look in his eye. Wha… Huh? Oh… You’ve noticed that did you? Yes Trig, I did Victoria says. They both just chuckle and smile.

Can I ask you something? Victoria said. Sure. Ask me anything Trig chimed in. Why did you never talk to me before today? I mean, after all we have been sharing a train for three years. Didn’t you ever wonder why day after day, I chose the same car and the same seat? Trig looked at her in amazement and said, You know, that never crossed my mind. Victoria laughed, winked at him and said; well, you’re not the only one who fancies someone on the train.

Trig could hardly contain his excitement. His long kept secret was out. The air had been cleared. He was comfortable with proceeding to ask her out. You know, I was wondering… And before he could get his sentence out Victoria says, You know its a pity too. I’ve always found you so handsome. I would have really liked to have had a go at you. I used to daydream about it and could hardly wait to get to the train. But that was two years ago. You see, I’m getting married this weekend.

Heat filled Trigs face. A massive stone had just been placed upon his chest. Tears filled the corner of his eyes. The overhead speakers made notice that the train was about to stop. Before, Trig hated hearing this call, because this is where Victoria gets off. Right now he couldn’t wait for the train to stop. He held back his tears. The train stopped. Victoria gathers her things, looks at Trig and said, It was a pleasure to meet you. He looked her in the eyes, by know his tears were fully formed. Good bye Victoria. She looks at him puzzled. Victoria?! Darling thats not my name… He said, yes it is. Please… Please don’t take that away from me too! She looks over her shoulder at him with a worried look as she exits the train.

The next morning Inspector Blair sips from his coffee cup as he approaches the walkway of East Ham station. “What do you make of it gov?” said DC Blakemore. Another bloody jumper, Blair muttered then asked, What have you got? Well, nothing much, really. The lady over there was standing right next to him. She said he was calm. Looked at her and even smiled. Then she told me, he just softly said the name Victoria and walked off the platform in front of the Eight Thirty train. Poor bastard.