Two women are sat next to each other on the Number 9 from Loughborough to Nottingham.

One is 58 and the other is 21.

They both wear Sand and Sable.

The little purse spray rattles against the small tin of mint breath fresheners in the 58 year old’s handbag.

It is the same perfume that she wore to work in the 80s.

The 21 year old has the same small atomiser, gold cap, clear liquid. She found it on Vinted for £5. She wears it with cargoes and a puffer jacket. She calls it, with affection, cheap.

It is strong and lingering.

The heating on the bus is too high. The road is wet. Both of them look out of the window.

two women
on the same bus
gardenias in winter

Paul Conneally
Loughborough
October 24th 2026