I got on the Virgin train from Wolverhampton to Shrewsbury and as soon as we were all installed I could hear what I assumed to be a drunk man on the table behnid me speaking to various people about nothing in particular. As soon as we started moving he declared “I am going to speak all the way to Shrewsbury”. Oh God, just what I need when I am planning to settle down with my book. I am getting near the end now and it’s quite good.
He’s not sitting at my table but he might as well be because he is loud and starts questioning the other people around the table about their journey, their life, their marital status, everything. We learn that he has just come back from Amsterdam via Liverpool and is going to Welshpool and on to his home town of Llanfair Caereinion. I have never heard a person from Llanfair sound so English!
The only luggage he seems to have is a guitar which he stows safety in the luggage rack above the seat. Occassionally when something someone says reminds him of a song, we get a rendition full volume. It must be said that he has a lovely singing voice although his speaking voice is high and husky and cuts through the air.
I have a quick look around to see who the poor man next to him is and I see an overweight, jolly man with balding hair and glasses. This man is either just as crazy or very sympathic because he happily chats to the loony all the way. When the loony pronounces he wants to go to the toilet we all sigh a sigh of relief and temporary peace descends. “Veronica, why is it that the nutters always sit by me?” asks the man to his LTA partner. We learn from his discussions with the nutter that he and Veronica have been going out for years but have a “living together apart” relationship. “He’s harmless I think” he says and others across the aisle agree.
The nutter comes back and I glance up at him as he passes, hoping my dark sunglasses will hide my peeking eyes. “Oh no, she’s looking at me” he says and slides carefully past me for comedy effect. I get off the train last as I have a heavy bag and by the time I get to the end of the platform I can see him playing his guitar and busking to two girls on a bench. They are laughing. There’s nothing like a harmless nutter to brighten up the jouney. As long as I am not expected to speak to them I am happy.