Mastiff

The train slips through the backs of a housing estate on the outskirts of Nottingham. The terraced houses all have tiny yards with identical single storey extensions. They flash by and I stop paying attention, slipping into a relaxed train reverie. A gap appears between the houses, a bare patch of concrete, divided from the track by black iron railings . The head of a huge snow white mastiff is inches away, growling and barking at the passing train. It's impossibly close to the window and I can see the drool on its jaws. I nearly jump out of my seat, much to the amusement of the people opposite me. Ten minutes later I'm still jumpy with adrenaline, a perfect high definition snapshot in my head of the monster's sharp white teeth.