C2A: Leaving Hartlepool

We arrive at Hartlepool Station in plenty of time. The station master is helping two lads navigate the ticket kiosk. “It’s cheaper if you get a duo,” he says helpfully, and also extremely quickly.

We collect our (eleven) tickets and post up in the lounge. The station master apologises to us personally for the Kings Cross train being late.

I wander over to the GoLocal for a couple of gatorades. There are two kids there trying to haggle with the cashier, who doesn’t seem to be paying any attention to anything at all. I collect gatorades and a couple beers and hustle back.

On my return, the station manager tells us that the train is “definitelys on time” but two minutes later tells us dubiously that he believes the train will be cancelled, mind.

We climb over to platform 3 anyway.

Shortly the station manager approaches the end of the platform across the tracks with the air of a conductor on the dais. “The train has just left Sunderland,” he announces, “you’re definitelys going to Kings Cross.”