What happens in the video
An older man in a cap sits on a bench at a transport platform, holding two crutches. A younger man in a dark jacket stands in front of him and gestures down the platform. A worker in an orange safety vest comes over and speaks with both men. The older man remains seated as the clip ends.
Continuation:
“Dad, there it is. That’s our train.”
Stan looked at the train, then at his son. “I can see it, Michael.”
Michael had the tickets, the directions to the restaurant and the message from his sister asking how far away they were. What he didn’t have was any idea why his father had stopped on the bench twenty yards short of the doors.
He pointed again. Stan tightened his hands around the crutches. A woman in an orange vest heard the edge in their voices and came over.
“Are you trying to catch this service?”
“He is,” Stan said.
That made Michael turn around. His father had spent the whole morning getting ready for his granddaughter’s birthday lunch. He’d shaved twice because he kept finding little patches he’d missed. He had even put cash in an envelope labelled *For something your dad thinks is a waste of money*. Michael knew how much he wanted to be there.
The station worker introduced herself as Kelly and waited while Stan worked out what to say.
“First time down here with these,” he said at last, lifting one crutch a little. “I thought I’d be all right. Then the doors started beeping, and I couldn’t make myself get up.”
Michael sat down. His father usually told stories in which the frightening part had already happened and turned out well. It was new to hear one while he was still in it.
Kelly checked the next service. Ten minutes. She offered to meet them at the right carriage and arrange boarding support if Stan wanted it. He accepted. Michael sent his sister the new arrival time. Her reply was a photograph of a half-iced cake and the words *Excellent. Buy us another ten if you can.*
They both laughed. The train left without them. For a few minutes father and son watched a pigeon haul an entire bread crust under a bench with the grim determination of a removal man manoeuvring a wardrobe.
“When you want to know why I’ve stopped,” Stan said, “you can sit down and ask.”
“I was watching the clock.”
“I know. You kept showing it to me.”
When Kelly returned, Stan was ready. He told her what help he wanted. Michael carried the present and followed at his father’s pace.
At the restaurant, his granddaughter opened the envelope and immediately announced she would put the money towards a drum kit. Stan looked delighted. Michael began forming an objection, noticed the writing on the envelope and let it go.
On the way home, they reached the platform with time to spare. Michael started towards the train, then turned back.
“Bench first?”
Stan considered it. “Today? Let’s go.”
