by the same author:
With a sigh of relief Lisa slumped down on her seat by the window, feeling the tension of the last few days gradually loosen the grip on her nerves and muscles. As long as she didn't get herself lost on the way to that distant island, or what would be worse, lose her handbag (an experience not unfamiliar to her), this might be fun – or an adventure of some sort. In any case something more interesting than the last weeks of the semester at the university, more interesting than the never ending discussions with Peter about their present and future relationship.
Settling into her seat she watched the people on the platform: Where would that lady be going, the age of her own mother, but with a coat screaming „look at me!"- the idea of her mother wearing a coat like that brought a grin to her face. Not to Ireland, she decided – weather too bad, same as Hamburg. Two young people with backpacks, radiant, excited , obviously in love–going where ? She felt something like envy creeping up inside herself. She wasn't that much older than that girl, was she? But 28 felt ancient at the moment….
She woke from her reveries with a start. „Türen schließen" screamed the voice, and there was something else: for a split second she caught the glance of a man before he turned and entered the train. She caught her breath and her hand went up to her throat to clutch the Celtic cross – an involuntary reaction to shock and something like fear. How could he dare! A total stranger. The door of the compartment opened, and people started to push in.