I knocked
on Lydia's front door
and waited
the morning sun
was coming
into the Square
Lydia's old man
opened the door
and stared at me
with bloodshot eyes
what do you want?
he said
is Lydia
coming out?
I asked
who wants to know?
I do
why?
wondered if she'd like
to see the trains
I said
why would she
want to see trains?
he said gruffly
she likes trains
I said
he looked beyond me
at the block of flats behind
who said
she likes trains?
she did
I said
I work
with fecking trains
all day
she's never said
about trains before
he said
looking at me again
his eyes trying
to focus
we often
go see trains
I said
we went to Waterloo
train station
the other week
he closed his eyes
rubbed
his hairy chin
and breathed out
a beery flavour
LYDIA
he bellowed suddenly
I stepped off
the front door step
and stood
gaping at him
LYDIA
he called again
he opened his eyes
and stared at me
I detected life
behind the mask
Lydia came
to the door
and peeped under
her old man's arm
this kid wants to know
if you want go see
fecking trains
he said gently
his voice silky
do you?
she nodded her head
yes
can I?
she asked
he looked at me
as if I’d just
stolen his wallet
trains?
he said
steam trains
I said
yes steam trains
she said
we like watching them
he raised his eyebrows
and looked down at her
under his arm
resting on the door jamb
ok ok
if you want go see trains
go see trains
he said
and wandered off
inside
leaving Lydia and me
looking at each other
Waterloo again?
I asked
what about Victoria station?
she said
ok sure
I replied
and she turned
around
to go get
her shoes inside.