Keep it in the closet

On the day: 
14/10/2012 

On the way: 
The milk of human kindness still flows through the arteries of the public transport system. 
Take the lady of late middle-age who took the hand of the blond boy and guided him down the stairs and onto the train to leave the little mum's hands free to manage the pram containing his little sister. Not only that, but the older woman then sits with the young family, entertaining the lad with pictures of her own brood's holiday in the snow. 
"Snow," he gasps. Then: "Wow, how did they get there." He's made a friend - one of those rare grown-ups who seems genuinely interested in the child - and she has gained an admirer. 
And when the pram is secured and the baby settled, it's the women's turn for women talk - families, kids, men... Not that he's ready to give up his pal so easily. So he listens, waiting his opportunity to get involved 
"... it's a man thing," concludes his mum. 
"It's a man thing," concurs their companion. 
"It's a man-thing," he confirms, "in the cupboard." 
"Huh?" 
Oh dear. And we had such hopes for this friendship. 

On the pod: 
Abducted - Cults 

On the front page: 
Top scientists launch attack on 'mindless' badger cull