Four Foot Eight

Kilburn Park

A figure stands at the south end of the northbound platform, head down, eyes closed, toes just a few inches from the edge. A distant rumble builds into the rushing wind of an approaching train as the figure stands stiffly still, fists firmly clenched.

The driver sees the figure a couple of seconds before reaching the platform and whistles frantically, but too late - the train hammers out of the tunnel and sweeps all before it in a screaming whine of hard deceleration.

Silence. The doors open with a rumble. The figure opens her eyes and steps onto the train through the open doors in front of her. She looks around to see a nearly-empty carriage, smiles nervously and takes a relieved seat.

It's a start, she thinks. Not much, but it's a start.