Front row seat for a steamy train trip

SeVerAL years ago, in the days of good old British rail, I arrived late at London’s Liverpool Street station after an office party. my train had just arrived, as had the one on the opposite platform. I climbed into an empty carriage and sat in the window seat. I was gazing idly out of the window when a smart-looking couple, in full evening dress, got into the other train, their compartment being directly opposite mine. His white silk evening scarf and their coats were taken off and laid neatly up on the luggage rack. Then, much to my surprise, his bow tie and then other items of clothing, from both of them, were removed in a frenzy! They embraced and disappeared from my view — at which point my imagination was working overtime. Just then, three young officetype chaps boarded the train opposite. As they passed the couple’s compartment, one of them happened to glance in. He did a quick double-take and — with his eyes on stalks — he turned and called his companions back, pointing into the carriage. I was glued to this tableau, so didn’t notice my train compartment filling up. I burst into fits of laughter and turned round to see all eyes looking at me as though I was mad. I. L. Cowlbeck, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex.