The fabuous Dr Paca has urged the faithful (in the style of Robin) to go forth and record ourselves reading something we've written. (Links to all those who've joined in are on Paca's blog). After a whole pile of to-ing and fro-ing I think I've finally stuttered my way into something here. This is the first few paragraphs of the first draft of my current WIP called Seeders. Apologies for the nasal delivery but its hayfever season so...
Do let me know if there's any technical probs. Apparently the audio loops once it's finished so be prepared to click on stop. I think I may have to lie down now! I've included the text of what I read below.
SEEDERS
Chapter One
The tube doors opened vomiting out so many passengers that those waiting on the platform were forced another metre back. Like two different coloured liquids, for a brief moment, those getting off the train merged with those getting on before separating again, one safely contained in the carriages while the other flowed away quickly into passageways and stairwells. In the scramble for the few seats available nobody noticed the thin girl who quietly moved into the corner next to the opposite door. Lank hair spilled from her grey hoody like a dark curtain separating her from the crowd around. She wore a canvas messenger bag across her body so that the bag hung behind her. Hidden behind sunglasses and an iPod she may as well have been a ghost.
An announcement warned everyone that the doors were going to close. The newly boarded passengers grabbed hold of something to brace themselves for the impending judder as the train began to move off. The girl peered over the tops of her Raybans to see a heavily pregnant woman standing in front of a seated businessman too engrossed in his broadsheet to acknowledge the belly inches from his face. The woman looked weary. The Businessman went to turn the page of his newspaper and as he folded the page he had just read back on itself he glanced around. He didn’t even see them, but his eyes momentarily met with those of the girl. Nobody saw them flash a brilliant shade of emerald green before she pushed her sunglasses back up her nose and bowed her head again.
“I do beg your pardon,” he said rather loudly to the pregnant woman, “I’m afraid I was so engrossed in my paper I didn’t see you. Please have my seat.”
“No. No I couldn’t possibly … I mean it’s very kind … but you shouldn’t feel you have to…”
“Nonsense. It’s my pleasure,” he assured her as he stood up and shuffled around so that in an instant they’d swapped places and the pregnant woman found herself with her bottom right in front of a vacant seat.
“Well if you’re sure …” She sank heavily into the seat.
The man smiled kindly before returning to his paper indicating their exchange was now at an end.
“Thank you,” said the woman as she closed her eyes, grateful to be off her swollen feet.
The train noisily pulled into the next station. The word Westminster appeared and disappeared in the window of the door next to the girl as the tube screeched to a halt. Passengers moved toward to their nearest exit as a silent exchange of positions occurred. The doors whooshed open. Those collected at the exits moved forward, forcing those waiting on the platform to step back.
Nobody noticed the thin girl in the grey hoody who blended seamlessly into the flow of people pushing forward out of the carriage, temporarily blending with those waiting to get on, before separating again and drifting upwards to the streets above.
