On Fridays, as soon as the clock struck 5.00pm, Roxanne was ready to leave hers and Rita's office. Happy in the knowledge the desk drawers and filing cabinets were securely locked she slipped on her jacket. Then, providing traffic lights weren't working against her and she managed a speedy walk to Kings Cross Station in under fifteen minutes, she usually got home in just over an hour.
She liked her job and had been over the moon to get it - which helped with the transition from working part time to full time. Despite the extra time involved in travelling, on top of the forty hours spent in the office, she was happy. Because of her increase in wages, they had been able to save enough for a deposit for a mortgage and had now bought a three-bedroomed terrace in Forest Gate.
Upton Park, her station, was next and so Roxanne shouldered and squeezed her way through the commuters on the packed train in order to be close to the doors for when they opened. There was a time she used to say excuse me, but soon learned politness was lost on the majority of travellers.
The doors opened and those getting off, practically fell out. Inwardly she smiled at how they all tried to appear impassive, as they turned right and headed for the stairs. The sound of her heels amongst the hundred or so others, clicked noisily on the platform.
Emerging outside the station she turned left to head for home, and slammed straight into a man's body. Arms reached out to steady her. There was something familiar about them. Looking up it was into azure blue eyes and a cheeky smile that always had her reciprocating.
'Roxy!'
Roxanne was caught in a bear-like embrace by her grinning husband. 'What are you doing here?' she asked suspiciously, although very pleased to see him.
'I wanted to surprise you,' Tom said. 'Thought we could get a burger or fish and chips out and then go to the pictures. You don't look too happy.'
'Oh, no, love. It's just, what about the kids? Who's minding them?'
'Mum's there with them now. She decided not to go to bingo tonight. So how about it?'
She slipped her arm through his and they walked away from the station. 'I'd quite like to see Richard Gere in American Gigolo.'
He gave her a quick look. 'I'd rather Dawn of the Dead.'
'Oh! But you know horror stuff scares me.'
'Well I don't want Richard Gere parading his goods in front of me. What about the second Star Wars and I'll be your Richard Gere tonight?'
'You're on lover boy! Quick there's the 58 bus.' Hurriedly they crossed the road to catch the bus for the Odeon in East Ham.
5th story in the R&R Agony Aunt series. Copyright Robyn Cain, May 2024
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