Around 2 years ago, when I was travelling home from London, I was sat on the train which was delayed. I was starting to get worried about missing my connecting train as it was the last train of the night back to my town. The train was busy and full so a random woman sat next to me and we started chatting about the delay. I mentioned I was worried I wouldn’t make my connection and then we started talking a bit more about things like what we’d been doing in London, just general small talk, she was friendly and seemed like a kind person.

We both realised I probably won’t make my connecting train, it looked like I would have missed it by 2 minutes. I still would have had to get off at this station and thought I’d probably have to get a hotel, no one could come and get me as it was a 2 hour drive from home. When we got to the train station where I needed to get off, I was about to get off the train to attempt to try and make it but it was basically impossible at this point. She came through the doors to stop me and then offered for me to stay at her house that night, in my head I thought it would be strange for me to do that and I hadn’t expected that at all. I realised it might be the best option for me that night and I felt like I could definitely trust her.

I went with her, and she even bought us a takeaway to have when we got back to her house. I got to meet her two daughters, and she made me feel completely welcome. The next morning, she drove me back to the train station which was around a 30 minute drive, I got us both a coffee, and we chatted some more and then I thanked her again, said goodbye and got my train home. I was 22 at the time and she was probably in her late 50’s.

Such a crazy and random story but her kindness that night has stuck with me and I’m very lucky she sat by me on the train that day.