It had been a long train journey back from Newcastle to London , uneventful but
Never-the- less long. We arrived at the London terminal and disembarked from the train at one of those platforms which offer neither a feeling of familiarity or direction of the way out. As usual, at wheelchair height, the best plan is to follow the crowds, which is what we did ever vigilant for the "taxis this way" signs, for the transfer across London to Waterloo station. Because of the normal wait on platform staff  coming to install the ramp so that we could disembark from the train we found ourselves at the back of a very long taxi queue.

Maybe it was that time of day but there was a general lack of taxis and the queue moved painfully slow. At the head of the queue there was what appeared to be a porter who could be seen putting passengers baggage into each taxi as they boarded As we grew closer to the boarding point it became apparent that the porter was a chap who looked like he had suffered quite a traumatic head injury, his mis-shapened face the result and he walked as if he was drunk but I put that down to the head injury. Having been in rehab etc such sights had become "the norm" but to the average
person it can be quite scary and un-nerving.

Some people tipped him, some didn't ,but very few actual looked at him directly trying their best to avoid his gaze! As our position changed to the front of the queue it became apparent that we could not board the taxi  at the same point as everyone else, we needed the taxi to be along side a straight bit of curb and very close to allow the wheelchair to get in the cab with minimum fuss. So we moved past the embarkation point and waited our turn.

This chap/porter stopping loading taxis,  came along side and just sat down next to
Endal and stroked him. A few caring people asked me if it was Ok and I indicated yes. Endal turned to the chap and gave him a lovely face washing. Not put off by the
disfigured face just seeing the gentle soul inside. The chap told me he had had a dog and talked awhile, the detail of the conversation is lost to me now, but it was relaxed and  interesting.

We had let quite a few taxi by due to our conversation but then one pulled up and the driver got out to assist us in the cab, the porter carried on chatting and he patted
Endal one more time receiving  in reward an other kiss from Endal which put a huge smile on his face. We said good bye and he shut the taxi door for us and we were off.

The cab driver then explained that this chap came to that taxi rank every day from six in the morning to late at night every day rain or shine, helping people in to the cabs with their baggage etc to make some extra money. The taxi driver said however that in all the years he had picked up there he had never heard this chap talk. I explained that he had sat and told ,me about his past dogs and had been very open. Maybe as only Endal can he saw only the person and not the disfigurement. The fact the dog had cuddled up to the chap and not turned away instead wagging his tail and licking him kindly was what this chap needed to open up.