Early Monday morning and the sun screams down from a clear blue sky! Fall out of bed, shower -– rush to station.

Platform is crammed with frustrated commuters. What is the matter? Where is the train?

P.A. system splutters into life! The waiting throng hears the ominous message – there is a fault with the signaling system. All trains delayed! Perhaps they should have played some music to calm us all down – even if it was synthesized and sounded like some inexpensive Italian restaurant.

Minute-by-minute countdowns on displays for a train that’s still to arrive. Then thirty minutes later a train limps into station. Doors open. The stampede to get a seat begins.

Passengers learn they are on the move – music to my ears. It will be the slow train, not the fast one hoped for.

Doors close. Engine revs up. Movement at last! Two minutes later – stop. One hour later – still there. Temperature and tempers are rising in the carriage. Windows finally opened. Why do many commuters have AN AVERSION TO FRESH AIR?

After what seems an eternity the train moves and finally limps into the next station.

Men in suits walk up and down the platform. Are they there to apologize for the delay and upset to the paying customer? Of course not! Just to oversee the announced transfer from yet another P.A. system, for all passengers to move onto another vehicle.

One hour on – destination is reached. One hour late for the office. Not the best start to a week!

Hopefully tomorrow will be better – no delays! Hopefully, not for a while at least!