Exiting from the coffee shop, the burnt orange, murky green and tired brown leaves crunch underfoot as she makes use of her new pair of Timberlands, a present from her family. Her thick, chestnut-hair cascading down her narrow shoulders and frames her subtle features whilst the piercing sky-blue of her eyes contrasts with her autumnal outfit. The steps she takes are measured and steady, maybe too steady as the nerves of her first day of surgical residency race down her spinal cord. She quicksteps down the stairs leading to the tube, places her earplugs in her ear and presses play onto a playlist that was made years ago. She smirks, reminiscing for a second before the tube screeches into position and she steps in, the smell of her soft orange blossom perfume and caramel Frappuccino mixing in with the other aromas of the cabin.
He notices her as soon as she steps in the cabin, how could he not? Everything about her is prim and proper, from her smooth honey-brown coat to her perfectly polished, thin-rimmed glasses. Suddenly he feels overwhelmingly average, with his scruffy hair, old and worn trainers and his low cost brand deodorant. He grimaces as he tries to avoid eye contact with her but all the while struggling to take his eyes off her.
Out of nowhere, the tube squeals to a stop and the world slows as he jolts forward and…she holds her hand out with surprising firmness against his chest. Their eyes lock before she quickly removes her hand with an urgency that may be the reason behind her blushing cheeks.
‘I-I am sorry,’ she stutters, visibly flustered and out of her comfort zone, ‘I’m sorry if I hurt you, it’s just – it’s my first day on a new job and I just couldn’t risk spilling my caramel Frappuccino…’ she continues to mutter rapidly and nervously under her breath.
He rests a comforting hand on her shoulder and reassures her, ‘Don’t worry, it’s my fault really…I was distracted and should’ve been holding on.’
Unexpectedly she shoves her hand into his and says, ‘Hi, I’m Prudence!’ He laughs kindly, popping the awkward bubble surrounding them. She smiles politely and then wider with dimples as his laugh deepens to a friendly chuckle.
‘I’m Joshua, but you can call me Josh…only if you want.’ His eyes twinkle as he looks at her sheepishly. ‘I’m glad you didn’t spill your drink, nobody needs that on their first day,’ he continues with growing confidence.
‘Thanks.’ she replies, not really sure what to say next, but intrigued by the boy before her with his ruffled auburn hair, deep army-green eyes and soft features she couldn’t help her eyes from gliding over.
‘So which stop are you getting off at then newbie?’ Josh asks, remembering how to speak properly.
‘I’m getting off at Whitechapel,’ she replies focusing on the tube map.
‘Really? Me too! Well, we still have a long time to go then.’ The tube doors open and most people get off to get on with their busy lives.
‘I guess we had better sit down properly and become better acquainted,’ she says playfully. He smirks at her formal vocabulary and exclaims ‘Why after you my lady,’ directing towards two empty seats.
Butterflies flutter around her stomach, and not because of first day jitters, but because of the tube boy who she had only just met. And the tube boy whom she had only just met, was equally as nervous as he listened to her sweet and kind voice and marveled at the ease with which she twirled her hair around her finger. Finally, the tube was slowing down as it reached Whitechapel, the location of the hospital. She reluctantly prepares to say goodbye but stops when she sees his hospital pass.
‘Are you-do you work at the hospital?’ she questions hastily.
‘Indeed, I do’ he says casually, ‘I work in pathology’.
‘Oh, my goodness, I’m a first-year surgical resident, maybe you could show me around?’ she asks eagerly.
‘I would be happy to,’ he replies, a smile already playing on both their lips. They step out together and walk towards the open hospital doors.