Morning Ride

The lamp outside my lodgings cut through fog of dirty grey, I donned my coat and hat ready to start another day. The sound of hooves on cobbles meant my transport was at hand I stepped onto the pavement as it pulled up at the stand. Quick turn of the brass handle, creaky door swung open wide, a short leap to the footplate and I clambered up inside. The bench seat buttoned velour, colours fading, rather frayed, long scratches on the rosewood round the Marquetry inlaid. We bounced and swung on straps and springs and galloped through the streets, Side window broken in one corner, letting out the heat. Outside the Quad I paid my fare and stepped into the cold, and thought 'how many other Derby cabs are quite that old?' Inspired by an article in today's local paper regarding the age and appalling state of some of our local Taxi cabs.