Karma

By John Quinn

SECOND PLACE in October 2025 Competition

To the bored guard, disinterestedly waiving his flag, to the woman clearing cups in the now-empty cafeteria, it was clear what they saw: the usual mixture of bored and sleepy commuters onboard the 6.14am Waterloo express as it punctually pulled out of Poole station.

At the edge of the platform, I stood stock-still, frozen by the intense certainty of what I was witnessing. Pathetically I raised my hand to acknowledge the train and my journalist ambitions disappearing from sight.

On Monday, December 12th, 1988, my dream was stillborn.

My great-uncle Michael, a sub-editor on the Daily Express, had got me the job interview and given me two instructions: ‘Don’t be late and don’t mention you’re an Arsenal fan. Pete Stephens, the news editor, will be interviewing you. He’s ex-military and a huge Spurs fan. He can’t abide tardiness or Gooners. Remember that and the job is yours.’

OK, I wasn’t to know I’d wake to a flat tyre, that there be an accident shutting the A350 flyover or the traffic lights would fail on Serpentine Road… But I’d still blown my big chance. And after seven years on the Bournemouth Echo, covering council meetings and fetes, I wasn’t likely to get another one.

With the traffic even worse and with no other option, I trudged into the Echo’s office. Bob, the paper’s rotund and perpetually harassed News Editor, greeted me. ‘Chris, where have you been – doesn’t matter! The Press Association are just reporting that the 6.14 Waterloo Express has ploughed into another train at Clapham Junction. At least 30 dead and hundreds injured. This is massive for us! Grab any photographer and get there now… Well, what are you standing there for? I want 400 words, no, 600, for final edition. Tomorrow we’ll go cover to cover on it.’

Judge’s Comments – “Chosen for its ability to invoke not only a moment witnessed, but simultaneously the witness of self by an internalised other. A delicate rendition of interiority/exteriority, keenly felt.”