Plan B

The other morning I was listening the This American Life on my ‘phones, in particular an episode entitled Plan B in which the contributors talk about how they’ve moved away from their A plan in life and settled into B or even further down the alphabet. Naturally it made me ponder my own Plan A and where it had gone. What happened to all the travelling I was going to do? Why am I still living in Britain?

It seemed a sobering thought until quite by chance I walked past a bloke I knew from university. If he recognised me he didn’t show it but that’s fine, the beard is a fine disguise. What struck me though was his get-up. The very essence of a professional man; long, expensive looking overcoat, large knotted tie, crisp shirt, immaculate hair and the type of long, smart shoes that those who wear seem incapable of walking in without scuffing as if trying to draw attention to their footwear.

After passing him I looked down at myself in a jumper, t-shirt, black jeans, trainers and the same North Face rucksack I’ve carried around since school. Part of Plan A is still very much in operation.