Mummy's Boy - Part One

Daniel found his seat on the train and glanced through his itinerary once again. He was ridiculously excited. Going to London for the conference was such a bonus, the British Museum inviting him had been absolutely fantastic, the university paying for the train tickets was even better. He pulled out his reference books and notes and placed them in front of him. He must remember to thanks the department secretary for making sure he had a table to work in.

It was a midweek train just after the rush hour and so the carriage was far from full. He immersed himself in the material he'd need to in order to be fully clued up before the talks at the conference. In truth he didn't really need to, it was his main area of study, Ancient Egyptology, but the talks were by some of the leading professors in the country and with some high profile international speakers too.

He was so busy underlining areas of interest and making notes on potential questions that he didn't notice the person sit opposite until they were already sitting down. An abrupt cough made him look up from his books. Across from him was an extremely striking older Lady dressed in a leather overcoat and a smart business suit. Victoria was carrying a coffee and an iPad and raised an eyebrow as she surveyed the covering of books an pamplets "If we are going to get along you are going to have to learn to share" she said in a casual manner...casual but the note of steel was there too. The message was clear "Don't take liberties".

Daniel quickly began pulling his books off the table "I'm sorry...I was just doing some studying...I didn't really think". The flustered politeness did the trick, the lady gave a superior smirk and sat down. At a similar level to Daniel now she fixed him with her gaze and smiled "It looks like we are going to get along...good".

Daniel took a moment to look over the lady sitting opposite, she must have been in her mid forties but looked none the worse for her years. In fact her maturity leant her an allure. Her hair was cut into a short bob and dyed a vibrant red, a red that was matched in her full lips and exquisitly painted nails. Although just 19 Daniel had a thing for older women, the maturity and confidence was such a turn-on. He would DEFINITELY have to thank the departmental secretary for booking this seat he though.

Determined to make a better impression he pressed with the conversation "Once I get a book in front of me there could be a war going on and I wouldn't notice...especially if it's history". He showed her the cover, a rather dry looking text book about one dynasty in particular and smiled apologetically.

Victoria apprised him...his flustered apologies were amusing and the attempt to engage in conversation was commendable. Also he was quite handsome in a bookish kind of way. Things could be worse she thought, she travelled frequently and had no time for sweating, obsese businessmen or boorish stag parties, similarly the endless chatter of groups of girls grated on her nerves. She was, she freely admitted, not a patient person. A bookworm was far from the worst travelling companion.

"So..." she said looking at the textbook "...you are going to see your mummy"

Daniel frowned "No, no, it's a conference about..." then he realised the pun "...oh 'mummy'. Sorry.....I am a little bit dense at times"

Victoria smiled "No, it's me that should be apologising...that was terrible". The boy relaxed visibly, the ice had been broken and as the train pulled away they began to chat