By Suzanne Coulson @thesuzycblogspot | Illustration by @katiestewartartist
It’s a cold, wintery morning and I’ve sprinted to Percy Main Metro station, hauling my full figure up the stairs two at a time like I’m training for the Olympics. My eyes desperately try to bend light around corners to spot the electronic signage, which twinkles the glorious word: ‘Due’. My ears, meanwhile, are blessed by the familiar dulcet tones of the tannoy lass announcing, “The next train to arrive on Platform 2 is for…” Get in! I’ve made it!
I collapse triumphantly onto a seat, gasping for breath and taking stock of my fellow passengers. There’s few curious glances in my direction, but most are too preoccupied with their own worlds—headphones blasting, iPhones swiping, Samsungs tapping and an odd newspaper rustling in defiance of modern tech. What are they all looking for? What do they expect to find? Meaning? Salvation? A train timetable that actually runs on time?
At Wallsend, an older gent sidles on, settles in front of me, looks up and smiles. Humans do exist after all. The Metro chugs along, and soon I’m at Monument, poised to make my transfer to Central. I position myself firmly near the door as an indicator I’m due to get off. Behind me edges a woman, whose entire existence suddenly seems to hinge on getting where she’s going faster than me. Her slight fidgeting soon escalates to subtle manoeuvring, inching ever closer, as though proximity to the door earns her a time bonus.
Pre Metro Suzy – nice, apologetic, conflict-avoiding (ok maybe not so much for those who know me) – almost moved aside out of habit. But not today. Not now. Not as a new and improved Metro Maverick Suzy.
I made my stance. I squared my shoulders. I became an immovable force. Undeterred, she made her move—a swift brush of her arm past me, fingers twitching for the door button. As the button turned green, she lunged, full of misguided triumph. But she hadn’t counted on my secret weapon: my bountiful backside.
With a well-timed shuffle I blocked her advance with maximum cheek (literally). The doors slid open, and I stepped off the train first, exactly as intended! That said, she then zoomed past me on the platform, but I just smiled to myself, especially when sidling up next to her on the escalator that she’d misjudged and stayed on the right hand ‘non walker’ side. Relishing the fact that we were neck and neck, I couldn’t resist a little parting shot of “Got you far, didn’t it?” before I then continued as the fastest walker ever up the escalator!
COLLAB
‘Metro Musings’ began as a hobby for I Love North Shields writer Suzanne Coulson during her daily metro commutes. What started as a way to pass the time on packed trains soon blossomed into a collection of happenings, observations, quirks, and the occasional metro mishap.
Suzanne met the talented illustrator Katie Stewart at an I Love North Shields meeting and a match was made – with Katie being introduced as one renowned for sketching metro passengers. Katie, a visual storyteller, brings the colorful characters and moments of metro life alive, adding an extra layer of charm to Suzanne’s words.
Together, they’ve created a delightful snapshot of our beloved transport system.
@thesuzycblogspot | @katiestewartartist
