Running Late

Amy had been waiting at the station since half past eight, and her brother Dean still hadn’t appeared. She was holding both tickets and glancing at the clock every few seconds. When her phone finally rang, she answered before the first ring had ended.

“Where are you?” she asked. “I’m nearly there,” Dean said. “I’m just crossing the street.” In the background she could hear traffic. “Are you running?” “Not exactly. I’m walking quickly, but I’m carrying a bag that weighs a ton.”

“Hurry up, the train’s arriving!” Amy said. There was a pause. “Oh, great, now it’s raining,” Dean groaned. “What are you doing?” “Trying to open my umbrella with one hand.” Amy tried not to laugh.

By then she was standing on the platform. Passengers were getting on, and a guard was about to close the doors. She looked down the street and saw a tall figure under a huge red umbrella, running towards the station as fast as the bag allowed.

“Wait!” Dean shouted, completely out of breath, with his umbrella turned inside out. Amy held out the second ticket, smiling in spite of herself. “Come on, we’re leaving!” They jumped on just as the doors were closing. Dean sank into a seat, soaked, and decided that next time he would leave home earlier.