So, last weekend - from the top.

I had to lull the hugest, bulkiest, heaviest, ugliest bag around college ALL day. ‘Twas, not fun in the slightest, but somehow I did manage to make it to the end of the day. I arranged to meet Hannah at 3.20 to walk down to the train station, so that she could see me off and make sure that I was okay. Thank god we arranged that, since carrying that huge bag down to the station would probably have been the end of me.

So, we got to the station, sat on Platform 2 and waited. As we were sitting there (in the cold… and the grey…. and the rain…) we started to think about whether we were actually on the right platform. I’d never boarded at that particular station before and, since the office was closed, we were getting into a bit of a tether. After a few minutes of “No, it’s definitely on this side… or maybe it’s not… but when we go there we’re always on this platform…” etc, etc, we asked someone sitting nearby if we were on the right side. He told us we were, so we sat back down – relieved. But then, 10 minutes later, the slightly befuddled-looked bespectacled man returned to us and said “Oh no, sorry, you are on the wrong side”.

What? What!?

So, Hannah and I, getting stressed, but relieved that at least we now knew, dragged the bag across the bridge and sat at the other side.

What a palaver.

A train then arrived which was slightly early (only 7 minutes, mind you) so I thought it was mine. I said bye to Hannah, hopped aboard and let out a huge sigh of relief. Soon, I got chatting to a lady I was talking to at the station and, lo and behold, I’m on the wrong bastard train!

Luckily, the next stop was only Telford (the station which I usually use anyway), so I was able to quickly thank the lady, pull together the 'Bag Out Of Hell' and jump off the train. By this time it was about 4.30 and getting darker and colder and wetter. I sat on the bench, freezing my tits off, and frantically sending Billy text messages informing him on my whereabouts.

After about 20 or 30 minutes, the CORRECT train pulled up and, once again, I boarded.

For about an hour, all went well. True – I was starving and thirsty and cold and the batteries weren’t working in my walkman – but at least I was finally on the right blinkin’ train. But then, we pull up at New Street, only to hear the driver announce that certain stops had been cancelled including mine.

Oh fuck.

So, once again, I am pulling all my junk together and jumping off another train. And New Street is a HUGE station – I mean colossal. (Well, compared to what I am used to anyway!) There’s about nine zillion platforms, even more people and everyone is stressed and fluttering and argh.

I swear, at this point I almost lay down on the floor and went to sleep.

But, no – I stuck at it. I asked a conductor-type-blokey where Platform Two was and he gave me directions. (At this point glasses were needed). So bless me, with my hair fuzzy, make-up smudgy and bag-a-heavy, I trundled past sign and sign until I found the one my eyes were straining for.

I found the sign, I found the platform, I found like-minded confused/stressed people and I waiting (again) for a train.

It came soon enough and, finally, all was plain sailing.

But, all the stress and the worry and the cold and the rain and the hunger and the waiting, was so worth it when I got to give Billy the hugest kiss at the station.

Everything drained away; he held my hand and made me warm.

We went for a pizza, kissed, messed about, hugged, talked and found our way back to his house.

I admit, I was slightly apprehensive/scared to death about meeting his parents, but they really were so lovely and welcoming. Sometimes you really feel at home in a place straightaway, and that’s how I felt there. He has such a gorgeous ‘homely’ little house too; cosy and warm and with fireplaces in most rooms. And his bedroom – oh god – all blue with loads of multi-coloured fairy lights. So beautiful and so romantic.

Things went the way they were headed and it was amazing. It barely hurt (unlike the firs time) and we both enjoyed ourselves.

Then, after a few hours of concentrated love and want, we fell asleep in each other arms.

So perfect.

(More to come in a later entry)