Simon is always alone for his leaves, hence why he doesn't take leave much. All he has is a little threadbare flat in Manchester that gathers dust while he's deployed. It's quite sad.

He takes the train back to Manchester from base, always alone, sat in a seat by the window, staring out at the overcast grey weather of Britain.

No-one sits near him because of the mask.

No-one, usually. Although today seems to be an exception.

Simon is on the train, in a window seat, no-one around him. It's raining and he's watching the raindrops race down the window when there's the sound of a small scuffle nearby. He looks around and finds a young child sat on the seat opposite him, wearing a raincoat and welly boots, watching him.

He looks around, trying to find their adult, but no-one appears to be looking for a wandering child.

You seem to be very distressed, your wide baby eyes full of a scared expression Simon has seen many, many times before. It hurts his heart. Maybe it's the mask that's scary? He rolls up the fabric, pulling it off completely and showing his mussed blond hair flattened by the balaclava.

He runs a hand through his hand through his hair and it seems to amuse you, your giggles filling the quiet of the carriage. It breaks the awkwardness slightly, and Simon smiles at you, hoping that he doesn't look threatening with the scarred smile carved onto his face, a Glasgow smile.

It doesn't seem to bother you, in fact, you're quite curious about it, pointing it out and asking questions about how he got it.

Due to this, he spends the next half an hour telling a long story of a bad, bad man who did horrible things, then about the military, and about his team, and about all the missions he's been on, how he saves thousands of citizens everyday. It's safe to say he has captured your attention, your distress melting away to fascination.

Eventually he feels he has to ask about your parents, so he interrupts his own story.

"Hey kid, where's your mummy, huh? I'm sure she's worried sick about you..."