Stephen Lamb

Warm Glow Faded

Was working at the co-op today. Guy comes in. I look at him think i recognise him from years ago,

"you're stephen lamb" i say
"nope" say this person, this imposter
"oh, are you sure?" i say to him.
"yep i'm sure, who is stephen lamb?"
"Just someone i used to know, sorry"

Embarrasing. I go about my day, beeping peoples groceries. Its a dull job but the the boss is away and one of us plebs is 'in charge' so i have the radio on. I phase out, niceties and instructions to customers, i'm listening to the radio. Suddenly...

"I know you, A.I. first year" A voice says to me.
I look up and smile
"You're stephen lamb" i say
"yep" he says happily.

We chat briefly and he goes, i get a break in customers so take the baskets outside. Massive Attack comes on the radio. I am caught listening to the radio and the rain, i cant help but think about chance and time. So odd that i would meet an old friend just after i mistook someone else for him. And even odder how old a friend he is. I barley knew stephen lamb in first year, he was in my tutorials for a month maybe, and yet i was glad to see him. I think of Jonathan Cameron, a man i met for all of thirty minutes on new years day while walking home through the meadows.

We meet so many people in our lives for long times and short times, some leave good impressions, some bad, some none. Some for no obvious reason stay in our heads for ever. I dont think i'll ever forget stephen lamb or Jonathan Cameron, and that is somehow comforting.

Even at the co-op amasing things can happen