Mr Baker was a creature of habits

He worked in the financial district

In the throbbing heart of London

Commuting by train from Essex

He walked to the station swinging his umbrella

Buying his Times newspaper on the way

Standing in the same spot daily

As the 8.07 train rolled in

The doors opened in front of him

He took the exact same seat 

Alongside the same fellow travelers

Maybe a nod but never any spoken words

One day his routine was shattered

Somebody was sitting in his seat

A well dressed young woman reading a book

He sat opposite her in protest

Too stunned to read the Times newspaper

He just stared at her indignantly

She smiled saying Good Morning

He mumbled a polite reply

Miss Walters was starting her new job in banking

She chatted incessantly and he soon knew all about her

But still wished she would disembark soon

So he could reclaim his seat

They got off at the same station

She was not sure of the way

Always a gentleman he escorted her outside

Hoping that was the last he would see of her

The next day she was in his seat again

Like a carnivore laying in wait for the ambush

Mr Baker was her innocent prey

Firmly gripped in her jaws of conversation

He began to look forward to seeing her 

Then it all took a different turn one day

Lets meet for lunch she said

With a lump in his throat he accepted the invitation

……………………………………To be continued….