The train carriage was crowded. I managed to find a spot to place my heavy rucksack and a protected area for my gift of two geranium plants from a colleague.

I started to feel hot and sweaty. The weather has been so changeable of late that I really don’t know what to wear. I took off my scarf and settled into reading my newspaper. Then it began. I started to feel light-headed, had blurred vision, and then ringing in my ears. The last thing I remember was a man smiling at me, with perhaps a slight concerned look on his face.

It was only a minute but when I came to, I was seated with a great many people looking after me. Someone gave me some water, and three knights in shining business suits helped me carry my bag, my geraniums and me off the train at my stop.

Thank you to the kindness of strangers - I am deeply grateful.