Despite Jean still being in China, Dave had spent another pre-booked Saturday back in Liverpool. Although not geographically true, Dave felt closer to Jean up north and boy did he miss her. As an added bonus he could also steal a free McDonald's from Alan and destroy Xiong's phone by spilling a cup of tea.
Yup, he missed Liverpool... though he could understand if Liverpool didn't miss him...
Sunday came and he headed south. The 1648 from Lime St, arriving Euston 1903, he'd be home before 2010.
... or not...
At around 1730 the train stopped suddenly near Tamworth.
"There is an obstacle on the track. Expect major delays or even the cancelation of this service. We will let you know when we have more details."
The speaker's voice sounded a little shaky. Half an hour later it became apparent why, as the "obstacle" was confirmed to be a man that the train had hit.
"Again we apologise for the delay, we thank you for your understanding. We will let you know as soon as we have more information. There are complimentary snacks available at the shop."
Considering a man was dead, Dave decided not to claim the free pack of crisps, it somehow didn't seem quite right. He just sat quietly and read his book. The Sheep Man told him he had to dance to the Muzak...
At around 1930 more news came.
"Coaches will arrive at around 2030 and go directly to Euston. It will take approximately 2 hours, depending on traffic. The coaches will arrive around 2030 and the best guess is that it will take a couple of hours to get to Euston."
'... a couple of hours...'
At 2030 there was no sign of any coaches. But everyone was offered a complimentary tea or coffee. Having been waiting now for 3 hours, Dave decided to accept, but he drank it black.
2100... no coaches...
2130... no coaches...
A man came round offering out chocolate bars. Dave gobbled it up greedily, enjoying every bite.
At around 2140 the coaches finally arrived and people started moving towards the front of the train. At 2145 people stopped moving, as it was getting dark outside, so they needed more light and had to wait for a fire truck.
2200, the evacuation continued.
2205 Dave, being at the far end of the train, finally got outside. They were in the middle of nowhere, and had to be led across piles of stones, through big fences which had presumably previously been locked. With a walk bridge over the track not far away, Dave could think of no real reason for a man to have been on the track, bar one.
Suicide.
He had no way of proving this, but he kind of hoped it to be true. The man was dead regardless, surely it was better that he chose to be?
2210, Dave was standing outside the last coach... it looked remarkably full... its door closed... it drove slowly away...
'..hmmm...'
They hadn't sent enough coaches.
"Minibuses and Taxis will arrive in 20 min to take the rest of you to Rugby," a police officer announced.
"And then?" someone asked the obvious.
"I don't know, thats all I've been told."
A single taxi pulled up. It was quickly filled... with the train crew...
'... seriously...?'
2230 a lady came around with snacks. Dave had a double chocolate muffin.
'...mmmm.... muffin....'
2240 another update. "Minibuses and Taxis will be taking everyone directly to Euston. They will arrive in 20 min."
That time estimate sounded remarkably similar to the one given half an hour ago.
The muffin lady came round asking everyone where they needed to go from Euston, as further taxis would be provided, ready and waiting.
2300. Finally signs of movement.... from the train... which pulled away, empty, on its way to Euston, while its passengers waited outside for taxis.
All Dave could do was laugh.
It was 2335 when the taxis finally showed up and Dave finally left Tamworth. Around two hours later he arrived in Euston. No taxis were waiting, the guy in charge of the taxis seemed surprised, having already got 3 coach loads of people home and didn't seem to have been told any more were coming.
He also didn't seem all that sympathetic to the people who were now 7.5 hours behind schedule on a 2.5 hour journey. A woman asked to use the toilet, he pointed her in the direction of the standard pay-as-you-go ones.
"Will I have to pay?!?"
"Yes."
"Can you give me change?"
"No."
"I don't have any."
"Well you'll have to find some..."
"I've needed the toilet for 3 hours, I'm not paying!"
"Well what do you want me to do? I'm not a magician."
She was not best pleased. Nor were most of the other travelers when he annouced the taxis would arrive in 20 min. Alot of people had enough at this point and walked away to find their own way home.
... which proved to be a mistake because taxis started arriving almost immediately.
Although sharing a taxi with a couple who presumably lived not too far from him, Dave was far too tired to make small talk and the couple seemed happy enough to mostly ignore him. Instead, Dave watched the meter. It went up 20p roughly every 10 seconds. Dave arrived home at £23.40. The bill, of cause, would not be paid by him, but he felt sorry for those who hadn't waited.
Dave fell asleep a little before 3am after setting his alarm for 7.30 for work. He had not quite made his 8:10pm target. Heck, he had been lucky to get back before the year 2010.
Still, it could be worse.
Could have been hit by a train.
