Francis Gay

THE Perspex shield along the side of the bus driver’s area had holes for talking through and was shaped around the ticket machine, with a space at the bottom for cash.

The little boy had to stretch and wriggle to get his hand past it.

But he was just so delighted to have been on a bus ride he absolutely had to give the driver a high-five.

As one skipped away and the other drove on, I am not sure which glowed the brighter with happiness.

There are all kinds of real and psychological barriers keeping us apart in this world.

But they are well worth overcoming – and sometimes the effort required just adds an extra something to the happiness! THE young couple were a noticeable oasis of calm in a bustling street. They were photographing her hand on top of his. When I saw the engagement ring I had to stop and congratulate them.

“Thank you,” he beamed. “All the more so because no one else will congratulate us.”

The others he referred to probably had practicalities in mind and those practicalities shouldn’t be ignored of course... but love might still be congratulated in spite of them.

Wishing them the best, I walked on. Glancing up I noticed we were on Queen Street. Looking back over my shoulder I offered a prayer for a young woman who, despite what wiser heads thought, was, for a moment, the Queen of Queen Street.