Three days ago, I took a bad tumble down the stairs and broke my arm. The pain was sharp and constant, and even strong painkillers barely dulled it. Worse than the physical agony was the frustration of feeling useless.
I booked a train ticket to stay with my parents in Manchester for a whileitd be quieter for them and easier for me. I chose a lower berth in the compartment because climbing to the top bunk with a broken arm was impossible. As I settled in, the train pulled away from London Euston. Thats when a woman walked in, mid-fifties, polished, with an air of entitlement. One look at her face told me this wouldnt go smoothly.
She eyed me disapprovingly, glanced at my ticket, and snapped, “Young man, I always take the lower berth. Move.”
I stayed calm, lifting my cast. “Sorry, but Ive got a broken arm. I booked this spot because I cant manage the upper one.”
She narrowed her eyes and raised her voice. “So? You youngsters have no manners! Im older than youwheres your decency?”
The corridor buzzed with curious onlookers. Then a well-dressed bloke in his forties stepped inexpensive watch, crisp suit. It clicked. She wasnt just after the seat; she wanted to cosy up to him.
When I stood my ground, she huffed and perched opposite, edging closer to the man, batting her eyelashes. The audacity was staggering.
Thats when it struck meshe needed teaching, but not with a scene. Something subtler.
I pulled out my phone, tapped record, and said evenly, “Funny thingIve got all this on video. The shouting, the guilt-tripping, ignoring a medical issue. And heres the kicker: you work for the Department for Education, dont you? That lanyard gives it away.”
Her face drained of colour.
“I could forward this to HR with a note about how you treat injured passengers. Bet theyd love that.”
The man beside her smirked and shifted away. She froze, like shed been splashed with icy water.
“II didnt mean” she stammered, all her earlier bravado gone.
“Next time,” I said, pocketing my phone, “maybe think before bullying someone into giving up their seat.”
She didnt utter another word the entire journey to Manchester. No flirting, no snide remarksjust silence.
