"So, you live in Edinburgh, yeah?" Mick asked.
"Born and bred," I muttered, wishing it was something to be proud of.
"Well, you got a good accent out of it at least."
I laughed.
"I'm glad someone thinks so. Most people don't know what the fuck I'm saying."
At last I heard a train whistle in the distance.
"Finally!" we heaved at the same time and laughed. Picking up our things, we queued to get on. We found two seats next to each other and sat down. We didn't even discuss whether we were going to sit together or not, it just happened.
"So, what music does your band play?" I asked as the train set off.
"Anything that makes people think. That's what I want out of it. I want people to actually think about what we're tryin' to say"
"And what are you trying to say?"
"Stand up and stand out." He said this with great certainty, looking me straight in the eyes as he spoke. Clearly this band meant a lot to him. I loved his no nonsense way of speaking to me.
"You should come to our gig," he said matter-of-factly.
"Oh yeah?" I tried to play it cool but inside I was thrilled he wanted me to come. I know I'd just met him, and really I should have just told him the way to the platform and moved on, but something made me hang on to him. Some part of me couldn't let him go.
"Yeah. I think you'd like us." He nodded to my vinyls which I was holding on my lap. I flicked through them so he could see my choices.
"Yeah," he nodded again as he looked at the artists on the covers. "We're kinda like all them, but better."
"If you do say so yourself," I laughed. He was cocky, but not in an annoying way. "Thing is, I ain't got any money."
"How come you bought all that then?"
"I mean like, I did have a couple quid, and then I bought this lot, so I ain't got no money," I said again.
"I'll get you in free," he said.
"What? I mean, I'm flattered, but like-"
"I'll get you in free."
This is a boy who gets what he wants.
