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It was cold and a breeze blew across the platform making it colder still.
There was only one other person on the platform apart from myself, his breath misting as he breathed slowly in and out. Occasionally he stamped his feet or rubbed his hands, but despite the cold weather he seemed to be happy.
He caught my eye and smiled. "Cold, isn't it?" he said cheerfully.
I nodded, a flicker of a smile racing across my face. His good humour was a bit infectious.
"How long have you been waiting for your train?" he asked.
I felt obliged to answer. "Feels like forever," I said.
"Yeah, on cold days like this it certainly feels that way. My train's running late as always; 15 minutes so far. And I've been here for twice that long," he added. "Still, you were here when I arrived, so I guess I should be grateful. Where you headed?"
I pondered the question a moment before I answered. "I'm heading home," I said. "I've been putting it off for so long that I'm finding it hard to actually board the train. I've missed two since I've been here."
"What's so hard about boarding the train? I mean," he continued, "all you have to do is wait for the doors to open, step through them and ta-da!" He smiled. “You're on the train."
I smiled at that, for he was right.
"Not quite what I meant, but I take your point," I said.
The conversation paused a moment as a train sped passed in the opposite direction, carrying a trail of leaves along in its wake.
"I can't wait to get home myself," said the cheerful man. "I've been away for the weekend and I only got back this morning. Looking forward to seeing my wife and daughter."
Wife and daughter. I remembered having a wife and daughter. I missed them.
"How old's your daughter?" I asked.
"Four," he replied with a father's pride. "She's beautiful. Takes after her mother, of course," he added with a chuckle. "It's only been two days but I've missed her terribly."
"I can imagine."
There was still no one else on the platform; it was quiet save for the cheerful man's voice.
"So, what's your name?" he asked.
I smiled then, really smiled. In all the times I'd stood there, talking with lone strangers to pass the time, not one had ever asked me my name.
"John," I said, for it was as good a name as any.
"Hi John, I'm Ed." Ed nodded in greeting and I nodded back.
"Hi Ed," I said. "You know, it's rare for a complete stranger to chat so openly, with such cheerfulness, as well as introduce themselves. It makes a refreshing change."
"Well, I guess I'm just in such a good mood that I'll chat to anyone."
"Thank you," I said, meaning it.
The sound of an approaching train caught our attention.
We both glanced at the rickety old departure board, then down the tracks where we could see a train slowly approaching.
"That's my train," said Ed, his smile growing larger and more wonderful. I found myself smiling too.
"You take care," I said.
"You too," said Ed. "And don't be scared about going home. Take the next train and step through those doors. Get yourself someplace warm; you'll catch your death out here."
"I know," I said.
The train pulled up, the doors opened and Ed showed me how easy it was to board the train. He waited until the doors closed before going to find a seat, waving me goodbye and smiling all the time. I watched as the train pulled away.
I knew he was right. There was no point in being scared of boarding my train. We all have to some time.
But I wasn't quite ready, not yet.
Until I was I'd be here, waiting for the train.
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