"You What?!!"

After an overnight train ride from Edinburgh back to London, we reached Euston. From Euston, we lugged with two huge luggage, took train to Victoria Station and then back to Hackbridge, where we could walked back to our friend’s house, cum our temporary lodge in London.

When we boarded the train in Victoria Station, we were at the cart #9 or #10 (or #11) of the train- the very tail end of the train, literally. However, most of the platforms in the suburbs are shorter, that included the platform in Hackbridge. It was shorter (as in only 7 or 8 train-cart length), getting ready and walk forward before the train stops (at least 1 minute prior the train stopping) was required. But we were slow, too slow. The train doors shut-off while SC and I were still walking, lugging two huge luggage through the narrow aisle inside the train. The girls were already out and waiting for us at the platform. Once the train moved on slowly, I saw both shocked faces through the glass door of the train. This made my blood run cold!

SC tried to press the emergency button very hard, banged very loud but the glass cover was still intact! Some close-by passengers saw, tried to help(I can tell they were concerning). Best advice given was... alight at the next stop. So we wait for the next stop (I think it was Carshalton), to take a return trip to Hackbridge station. It was the longest wait I had.

Skip the mad anxiety, by the time I reached the girls(SC stayed at Carshalton station for a while in case the girls took the next train to get to us), they were inside the concourse of the station, looking out nervously for us. They immediately dashed out to hug me, Little Bomber burst into tears. She must had holding up for long. Whilst the big sister was apprehensive but relieved to see me. But I can't hold my tears anymore. I almost lost the girls!

Throughout the whole episode, we sort of created trouble to both train stations (Hackbridge and Carshalton) for communication, for ensuring kids were not disappearing, for knowing the next train arrival (I sprinted to opposite platform to catch the next train for return), etc. We were total strangers to the town, to the railway system (why oh why the platforms are split by the two tracks!?) and to the people. "I left my kids behind at the previous station, when is the next train back to Hackbridge!!?" The officers in Carshalton Station were totally unbelievable, one of them with eyes almost popping out and uttered aloud, "You what???"  

I almost wanted to strangle him who wanted me to repeat my words. But of course he helped, after knowing the critical situation.

Patrolling polices were informed by the Hackbridge station because of unattended children. We could not leave the station immediately after our joy reunion, we were required to answer questions (for almost half an hour) to ensure that we were truly the parents of the left-behind children. All our detail were jotted down by the police officers as part of the protocol. 

This was the biggest news for our family and friends (from Penang to Kulim to KL to maybe Australia) for the year, that the parents dropped guard of their children during traveling. But, we were glad that the big sister was resilient, that she did all she could to be brave and to comfort the little sister. She was probably panic like I did, however she behaved calmly, rationalised the situation by listening to some kind-hearted strangers to walk towards the control station/ticketing counter to find help or stay put to wait for us to turn up.

And Little Bomber, thank goodness she did not act up and staying close to her big sister.

Of cause, thanks to the station staff of Hackbridge, and Carshalton too. 

The next day when we headed out for another adventure in London, the uncle immediately recognised us and passed me a very detail train system broucher of London and wished us another wonderful day ahead. We became full alert when transiting.