Two snapshots of life from the last few days

• At the next, two seater table in a pizzeria, two women sit down opposite each other.  The older one orders wine, happy, pleased with herself smiling at the younger woman.  Maybe they are sisters?  No, definitely mother and daughter.  A family reconciliation?  I can't see the daughter's face all the time.

I'm reading, eating, not paying much attention.  They are Swedish, Polish... even if I listen, I can't understand a word they say.

Then, an abrupt silence.  The daughter looks upset, defiant.  The mother bewildered.  And so it goes until after I leave.

Reconcilation failed.

• A busy train from Victoria.  A businesswoman sits on the other side of the aisle, scowling at her mobile.  Her body language makes it seems if the whole world is her enemy.

At Clapham a young woman sits down next to her.  The train has barely moved out of the station before they are talking and laughing.  They must be old friends who have arranged to meet on the 16.42 Brighton train, carriage 3.  The scowling businesswoman beams a wide, beautiful, intimate smile.

At East Coydon, the younger woman gets up to go.  "Oh, well," she says, "nice to meet you."  So they weren't friends, after all.  "Hope we run into each other again."

For the rest of the journey, the businesswoman resumes scowling mode