It was years ago but fortunately it's still a cartoon world

Late Saturday morning. At Victoria station the wildlife have arrived. Somebody's fiance walks down the platform carrying a blow up

doll with a dick, the hen party walk behind laughing. It's a grey day as I head back to the suburbs. Kids are out

playing football on Streatham Common, their parents running with them. The basketball pitches

are empty, the streets beyond this silent. It's a good day for staying in.

People are dotted

across lonely stations as we race past.

I'm back in town for Darce's 40th birthday party. How did we get here so quick? But then looking back those days seem

a long time ago now. I meet James and Stevie for a few drinks before we go to the party at the Sun Alliance club. All the

faces are there: Darce, Doug, Sealey, Sally, Martin, Tim. It's so great to see everyone again. Sealey reminds me that he missed a lot of days of work to go to the beach with us. Bunking off

work to go to the beach. I remember one time I was at work and I told them I had to go to the opticians that afternoon

and Sealey drove into the

car park where I worked, and they all got out the car in shorts, shades and carrying beachtowels. Brilliant. What's gone wrong? I've not thrown a sickie for two years. People always tell you the last time they saw you, but I always remember it as a different time and a different place.

Fortunately I recorded the conversation myself and Mr B had before we walked into the party.

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