OMG

You have heard of that sinking feeling? That moment of panic, that visceral lurch that turns your stomach to a heaving mess?

It was a few minutes before nine as we arrived at Euston. We were aiming for the 21:03 train to Birmingham but had to buy our tickets. We headed for the ticket machines and started the transactions. GF was impressed that for less than 42 of Her Britannic Majesty's finest pounds he could pick up a return. As he squirreled the tickets away he and his colleagues headed across the concourse to where we had spied an ATM. Queuing in an orderly fashion we watched as the seconds ticked by and the queue moved inexorably onwards. GF glanced down. There was his roller-bag, but where was his laptop in its new super-secure case?

It was at this point he realised that a) he had left it by the ticket machines; b) what that sinking feeling really feels like; c) blind panic.

He charged back across the concourse but of course the bag had gone. He asked a nearby staff member and he said it had been collected and taken to left-luggage... so GF charged on round the corner. He ran into the office only to be told it was the wrong office and to continue round the corner. On he went. Rounding the corner he entered left luggage and saw the chap just about to sign his bag into oblivion. A few pleasanteries and copious thanks were bestowed on all and GF was re-united with his bag. By now
things were pretty tight so he ran like a madman back to his colleagues, retrieved his roller-bag and they headed for the train.

The ATM could wait.

By 2300 GF was tucked up in the Holiday Inn at Bhm... reflecting on what a lucky escape he had.