Sue had come into town with Emily and passed her on to me like an Olympic baton while she had a well deserved night out with friends.
I made my way to Victoria with Em and then the problem arose. Normally, I've taken Emily back on the train from London Bridge which is pretty much always 1) at least 8 carriages and 2) has a wheel chair area.
Tonight's excursion from Victoria was neither of these things - it was 4 carriages and not a wheelchair or pram area in sight.
What's a dad to do?
Well, I found a "this is for old people" area and pushed her pram in there - taking up 5 seats in the process. In my defence, when we got on the train it wasn't all that full. By the time the train left and people couldn't get on the train due to capacity, I did begin to feel quite guilty.
Thanks to the British resolve, no one actually challenged my brazened theft of good seats, but I surmised that I was doing a favour to one and all in keeping Emily entertained and thus not screaming her lungs out. I also refused to make eye contact with any other travellers.
By the time we got to Thornton Heath, the train had emptied considerably and by Wallington we were one of the last remaining few on the train.
I think in future I need to figure out a decent plan B because this plan A stressed me out more than a trip home with my daughter probably should.
