Well...
Late afternoon I got a message from a lovely girl at work inviting me to a party in North London. I kindly accepted the invitation and went about quickly tarting myself up. Anyway as events unfolded the party was a success and eventually it was it 2:15am and it was time for me to leave and catch the train back home.
I found my way back to Finsbury Park station fairly swiftly and was standing at platform 5 by 2:25am, The last train of the night was due at 2:41 so I felt pretty safe that I'd catch at be home by 3am. As the train approached I noticed it was rather full but I cast this aside as I've been on full trains before. As the doors opened I then realised the train was over packed with people squashed in every corner possible. I then proceeded to go up to every carriage door and try and board the train with my luck depleting I tried forcing myself in the last carriage, where as I tried to board a man from amongst the crowd reached through pushed me off whilst laughing in a cynical manor, very shortly after the train doors closed and left. The train left supports a carriage full of laughter at my misfortune. I wasn't the only one left on the platform there was a two others around my age and a family of 3. The platform conductor kindly asked us all to leave the station as it was going to close til 6:45.
As I stood outside the station trying to gather my thought and work out my next plan of action. ( I should mention my iPhone died around 2:30 so I had no way of contacting anyone) I stared aimlessly and lost at the night bus time table trying to work out where I should go. As I read I heard this drunk man attempting to insult me by constantly calling me a "mummy's boy" I replied a blunt "What the fuck are you on about" he instantly changed his tone and became all friendly and asked me how my News Year went, I told him about how good but it had been slightly ruined by what just happened with the train. He felt immediately sorry for me and offered his apologies, He promptly told that I shouldn't wait outside Finsbury Park station as its a little dodgy, I agreed.
He asked me where I was going and I said Hatfield, his face at that moment was priceless he couldn't believe I was that far away from home, He then introduced himself as "Ant" He then came up with a plan to get me on a night bus that would take me as north as possible. With my poor knowledge of the London bus network I obliged and he Ant made sure I got on a night bus that went to Enfield. I boarded the bus and waved good bye to Ant.
I settle down on the lower deck of the night bus and drifted of into a state of fatigue and restlessness. About 40 minutes later I arrived in Enfield as I exited the bus I noticed it area was deserted as I wondered the streets alone I saw a sign for Enfield Chase station I made my way to the station to also find that this station was also closed and the next train was well after 7am, I decided to walk to Enfield's other station and when I arrived there guess what? yeah same story... I some how had a brain wave and thought to myself "Get back to Kings Cross" as the first trains of the day always depart from there. I proceeded to find a bus stop where a night bus stopped, to my luck there was a night bus that stopped at Mornington Crescent, The bus finally came and I again resumed my state of fatigue I took a small nap and woke up just as the bus announced it was at Mornington Crescent. I departed and went on my way.
I luckily knew exactly where I was after spending a lot of time round the area after working in the area a few years back, as I made my way down a cold road to Kings Cross station. Soon enough I found myself walking through St. Pancras Station to keep warm, I found out I wasn't alone, the whole station had been turned into what looked like a refugee camp with tired tourists and groups of friends huddled together for warmth . I walked through the crowds of people still determined to get to Kings Cross and out of blue I noticed Costa was open! this to me was heaven, I quickly dashed in and joined the queue and bought myself a mocha, This mocha would then become my saviour it kept me warm and awake for the rest of the night.
I finally arrived outside Kings Cross to find out it was closed, by this time it was around 4:45am, I took camp against a pillar with the rest of the crowds and proceeded to wait until the station opened. 30 minutes passed until the station opened I took seat and waited until the first train to be called. The first train was set to depart at 6:38am I waited until 6:20 until I decided to go to my platform making sure I wasn't going to be miss it. Eventually around 6:30 the train doors opened and I boarded my body came over with a sense of completion and satisfaction that all my waiting had finally paid off and I was going home. I made myself comfortable for the slow journey home back to Hertfordshire. After a few minutes a man decided to sit in front of me he looked to like a security guard he proceeded to take off his ID passes and work keys he then started to rummage through his rucksack he then pulled a JD & Cola in a Can and began to drink it, he offered me his other one but I declined I wished him a Happy New Year I then swiftly fell asleep.
The train finally arrived at my station around 7:20am I then embarked on my short walk back to my fathers flat. I finally set foot through the door at 7:35am. I then fell on to the sofa in a pile of exhaustion and within around 10 minuets I was finally asleep.
This is now the second time I've gotten stranded in a large city but I always say to myself "you will get home just don't stop" These little hiccups are a brilliant in a you get to see some right characters you appreciate the people who want to help you but you also witness that some people are cruel and pathetic and have no care for their fellow man.
Hopes you've enjoyed my little ordeal.
James
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