The Man in the Striped Jumper
a one-stop love story
Northerner Kitty Miller had heard the stories and seen the pictures, but nothing could have prepared her for her first commute on the tube.
As the maelstrom on the platform pushed, she found herself S-shaped, wedged between a giant's rucksack and a banker's armpit.
She shared her fixed eye line with a man in a striped jumper at the end of the carriage who saw her stifle giggles. Their shared hilarity blossomed amidst the deadpan resignation between them.
He mouthed, "Are you married?"
She nodded.
He got off at Camden, blew one kiss, and soaked into the London crowds.
About the Creator
Caroline Jane
Warm-blooded vertebrate, domesticated with a preference for the wild. Howls at the moon and forages on the dark side of it. Laughs like a hyena. Fuelled by good times and fairy dust. Writes obsessively with no holes barred.
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Comments (9)
This was such a great micro fiction Caroline! I love the imagery and descriptive language as you set the scene and then how you created a relatable interaction between two people! So realistic, funny and just a great read overall! 😊
This was excellent 👏👏 Feels like watching a movie scene!! I loved your descriptions (lol at the armpit!!)
Awh this one was great. Really loved the last line about soaking into the London crowd - how poetic ❤️
This is such a sweet moment! I remember when little articles would pop up on buzzfeed back in the day about missed connections on Craigslist I’d love to read them for the same feeling this story gives me, I love those little moments of potential that just stay with you. “S-shaped between a giant’s rucksack and a bankers armpit” is a brilliant visual too 😂
Fabulous writing! I love this piece! It's so charming!! :)
A high point in the drudge of the commute - so sweet, I can feel a small blush rose cheeks!
Excellent story Caroline, I have been there many times, though obviously wouldn't blow anyone a kiss
This is great, and such an accurate depiction of a crowded tube/subway. Well done. Reminds me of the time I took my aunt shopping downtown Toronto, we rode the subway home at rush hour, and we're so packed in I could see the nose hairs of the guy facing me. To break the discomfort of the silence of the crowd, I looked him straight in eyes and asked if he needed a hug. He laughed and said yes, so I gave him a big squeeze, much to the enjoyment of everyone else on the packed car.
When you wrote “striped jumper” my mind translated jailbird. Your story is rich in its humanity. 🥰