Beverley High Road, Hull

On a mission to buy fresh bread after the New Year holiday break, I was standing waiting to cross the road. On the other side of the road was also someone standing next to the baker's shop.

A tall man who had a different air about him: a different 'bearing'. Stationary, he literally and figuratively stood out amongst the other pedestrians who went by, bent with faces staring at the ground. He, on the contrary, stood tall and straight. His coat long and a deep matt black with bright, shiny buttons. On his head a smart black cap with a tassel trailing down the back of his head for about 5 inches. On the tassel I could just make out a patch of colour - possibly tartan. He was a soldier - he must be dressed like that - from a highland regiment ...

... but when I looked into his face I saw that he was too old. And then when I looked at his hands I saw that he was clutching the handle of one of those shopping bags with wheels that you see old ladies taking to the supermarket. Then a moment of realisation.

Here he was, his clothes kept as smart as he knew how ... and there was his world trailing behind him. I couldn't know for sure: I didn't ask, but my guess was that he left the army one day many years ago - and just kept walking ...

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