When we had been talking for a while, the speakers announced that we were approaching Manchester Victoria train station.
Joseph got up and I followed, giving him some space so he had room for all his bags.
"I hate these steps" he said as we trudged up the stairs, slippery with the rain that was falling as we walked.
"Yeah, me too".
When we got to the top of them, Joseph went over to the bus shelter and stood there, shivering with the cold breeze, with rain blowing into his face.
I looked over at him and pitied him. His bags looked so heavy and his suit wasn't really keeping him warm at all.
"Joseph" I called, walking over to him.
"Yeah?"
"Whereabouts do you live?"
"Stratford avenue".
"I'll give you a lift, come on". I picked up one of his bags and lead the way over to my car, parked around the corner.
"Vicky" he called, running after me like a lost puppy.
"What?" I turned around to look at him. Giving him time to catch up by standing still.
He caught up and took a few deep breaths, before saying something that I really didn't expect.
"What you up to tonight?" His gaze was so captivating hat I could have stood like that all day.
"Work, mostly" I replied. WHAT? He's probably inviting me somewhere and I give an answer as blunt as that?!
We began to walk again, slower than before, so we could talk properly.
"What do you work as?" he asked me, as I unlocked the car and opened up the boot.
"Barrister" I answered, taking his guitar case and other bags from him as he talked more.
"Really? Me too"
"Guitar's just a hobby then?" I asked.
"No, on my lunch break I sit on the streets with the case open whilst I play to see if I can get a bit of change.
I looked up at him and laughed.
"You had me for a second then" I laughed, as I got in the car and put my seatbelt on.
"Anyway, I have work to do too, but I think I could use some help". He looked up at me and smiled.
"What kind of help?"
The awkward conversation continued all the way to his house, where I pulled up on the kerb and turned off the engine, just in case the conversation continued.
"Joseph, how old are you?" I asked. He seemed around my age, but I couldn't tell.
"21, almost 22, how about you?"
"20".Joseph looked a little younger than his age, but I suppose some people do.
"Would you like to come inside?" he asked, smiling at me.
I had work to do, but I had my files in the boot.
"Sounds good".
