"A Burning Hurry" drabbles by Neville Hunt

...lifesaver

A Burning Hurry #2

I’m a bloke. Women sometimes think we’re a bit daft. In my case, they may be right!

My elbow held in vice-like grip, Mary hurried me along the passage towards Kings Cross. “But I go from St Pancras”, I protested... daft bloke!

I estimate it took us 40 seconds to emerge at Kings Cross mainline station. We turned. Behind us, billowing from the tunnel that would’ve taken me to St Pancras, were clouds of smoke.

Saved by the belle!

Reflecting years on if I ever thanked Mary enough, I eventually thanked her on national BBC Radio4, Saturday Live, appropriately!

Rushing home...

A Burning Hurry #1

Returning home after a long day at our London office, me via St Pancras, and my business partner Mary via Kings Cross, we arrived at the underground station platform to find it surprisingly smoky. Both of us had trains to catch, so we took the wooden escalator to ground level amidst smoke of an increasing density.

Travelling up, we couldn’t help noticing firemen going down the other side. At the top, the ticket hall was extremely smoky.

Being an inquisitive bloke, I stopped and looked around.

Mary grabbed my arm urgently. “C’mon Nev, let’s get the hell out of here!”...