One rail trip from York to Blackburn didn’t go as planned. Pandemonium ensued, but in the end, release for two lifelong pals, Helen and your writer, and their rediscovered indie rock doppelgangers, and a fabled third party, an old university friend of the writer. The duo, who have shared a friendship spanning over 30 years, found themselves in a life-threatening situation that would forever alter their perspective on life and friendship.
The day began with anticipation. Helen and the writer had planned to attend a weekend party in Blackburn, excited to celebrate with friends after years apart. Their reunion trip was marked by camaraderie and joy as they recalled and told stories from their university experience. More than 50 minutes into the ride, that mood shifted quickly, overwhelmingly, in an instant, when a deafening bang pierced their conversation ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ .
As the train neared into Leeds station, it slowed down, and an announcement was heard. Fortunately, the damage was a lot more muted than it could have been. That one crucial element probably spared their lives from more severe trauma. The author remembers experiencing a stunning power as they were thrown headfirst in the carriage. Both walked away from the accident with bruises and sore spots but were grateful to come out of it without major injuries.
Immediately after the crash, Helen and the author ran into a cab. They were joined for the ride by a teenage boy and an adult woman, both of whom had experienced destruction to their possessions due to the incident. The same woman who had cracked Helen’s case was turning the whole thing more surreal than it already was. Even so, they kept their spirits up over the unfortunate turn of events. At least their precious wine had survived, which seemed to be a stroke of luck.
The atmosphere was electrifying and got emotional quick. It was then that they noticed a little girl, about seven or eight years old, sitting by herself in the midst of all this pandemonium. The horrific scene awakened the empathy of these two strong friends, whose unthinking embrace amidst a moving aisle of running terrified people showed the bond between them. That moment of mutual vulnerability, that reminder of how precious and fragile life is, united them even closer in that split second.
And in this contemplative space, it returned the writer to their experience of coming close to death in their 20s. Those experiences deeply impacted their view of the world. More than anything, it was the shock of how quickly everything in life could change that hit them then. And it is always a privilege to grow old,” said Anna Woodford, summing up the wisdom that both friends carried as they traveled through this experience together.
Helen and I jumped out of the train’s window, hearts pounding. As they slowly climbed a ladder down to the tracks, they looked at one another in shocked jubilation. The trip had deepened their awareness of life’s transitory nature and the need to value friendships amid a busy and often isolating world.
When they finally stepped onto dry land, boisterous laughter brought their joy to life while they shared moments from their time spent together. That weekend, Blackburn drag queen Clitheroe Kate gave one of the best performances ever. It turned a traumatic experience into yet another colorful tale in the pair’s epic camaraderie.