Have you ever spotted someone your own age and thought,
“Blimey! Surely I don’t look that old… do I?” 😅
Let me share what happened to a mate of mine:
—
My name is Eleanor. I was waiting at the bus stop in Manchester, and when the bus arrived, I noticed the driver’s ID badge. His full name was printed on it—and it sounded familiar.
It hit me then—a tall, good-looking lad with dark hair, the one I’d fancied rotten back in secondary school… over three decades ago.
For a second, I wondered:
“Could this really be him? The boy I used to daydream about?”
But when I got a proper look at the driver, I dismissed the idea.
He was balding, grey, lined, with a bit of a belly—he seemed miles older!
Still, curiosity got the better of me.
I said,
“Pardon me, did you happen to go to St. Mary’s Secondary?”
“Aye, I did!” he replied with a grin.
“What year did you leave?”
“1982… Why d’you ask?”
So I came right out with it:
“Well, we were in the same year!”
He peered at me for a long moment…
And then…
THIS BLOKE…
BALD,
GREY,
WRINKLED,
A BIT ROUND THE MIDDLE,
WITH WEARY EYES AND A SLOW GAIT…
LOOKED ME DEAD IN THE EYE AND SAID:
“And which teacher were you, miss?”
—
😑
Since that day, I’ve never judged a book by its cover.
But I’ll confess… I took extra care picking my outfit the next time I stepped out! 😉
—
Honestly, doesn’t that just sting a bit? 😆
