On a cold Monday, Emma waited at Clapham Junction. She had a cup of tea in one hand. Her red scarf was around her neck. A small blue letter E was on one end. The station was busy and loud. Cold wind blew across the open platform. Emma worked in a bookshop near Victoria. She was early for work. She watched people hurry past the clock.

A train came into the station. A family stood beside its door with a pushchair. Emma helped them get on, then picked up her own bag. She found a seat by the window. When she looked outside, she saw a worried old man on the platform.

The man held a red scarf. Emma touched her neck. Her scarf was not there. She ran to the door, but it closed. The train began to move. She saw the scarf through the glass. The old man lifted it high. Emma pressed the door button twice.

At the next station, Emma got off. She told a member of staff about the scarf. He phoned Clapham Junction. Then he smiled and gave her some good news. The member of staff was called Lee. He wrote down Emma's name. He told her to stay calm.

The old man was still there. He waited with the scarf. Emma took the next train back. She found him near a small coffee shop. He gave her the scarf. The return journey took twelve minutes. Emma stood by the train door. She wanted to get off quickly this time.

Emma thanked him and bought him a cup of tea. His name was George. They sat down and talked. George said the scarf looked very special. George had kind eyes and a soft voice. He asked about Emma's family. She showed him a photo.

Emma smiled and showed George the blue letter E. George knew the mark. His wife, Elsie, put a blue E on every scarf she made. For many winters, she sold her scarves at a market near the station. Emma's mother bought this scarf there fifteen years ago.

George showed Emma an old photo of Elsie at her market table. Emma sent the photo to her mother. Her mother remembered Elsie's kind smile. George was glad that one of Elsie's scarves was still warm and useful. Emma and George missed the next train because they talked for so long. The next Saturday, Emma visited the market with her mother. George showed them where Elsie once sat. They bought soft red wool from another stall.

VOCABULARY

scarf: a long piece of cloth worn around the neck

platform: the place where people wait for a train

station: a place where trains arrive and leave

letter: a written symbol such as A, B, or E

mark: a small sign or shape on something

market: a place where people sell things

wool: soft hair from a sheep used to make clothes

glass: a clear material used in windows

wife: a woman who is married

photo: a picture made with a camera

miss: to be too late for a bus or train

hurry: to move or do something quickly

busy: full of people or activity

wind: moving air

bookshop: a shop that sells books

useful: helpful for doing something

remember: to bring a past person or event to mind

kind: friendly and helpful

soft: not hard or rough

pushchair: a small chair on wheels used for carrying a baby or young child

MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS

1. Where was Emma waiting on Monday?

A. Clapham Junction

B. York station

C. Brighton pier

2. What drink did Emma hold?

A. Coffee

B. Tea

C. Juice

3. What small letter was on the scarf?

A. E

B. G

C. M

4. Where did Emma work?

A. In a bakery

B. In a museum

C. In a bookshop

5. Why was the platform uncomfortable?

A. Cold wind crossed it

B. The lights were off

C. The floor was wet

6. Who did Emma tell about the lost scarf at the next station?

A. A member of staff

B. The older man

C. A young child

7. What did the older man hold up on the platform?

A. Emma's scarf

B. Emma's ticket

C. A train map

8. Who had made the scarf?

A. Emma's mother

B. George's wife Elsie

C. A shop worker

9. What did Elsie sell?

A. Old maps

B. Tea and cakes

C. Scarves

10. Where had Emma's mother got the scarf?

A. At Elsie's market stall

B. At a railway shop

C. At a school sale

FILL IN THE BLANKS

1. George showed Emma an old ______ of Elsie.

2. Emma sent the picture to her ______.

3. George was happy that the scarf was still warm and ______.

4. Emma and George missed the next ______.

5. They talked for a very long ______.

6. Emma visited the market on the next ______.

7. Her mother went to the market with ______.

8. George showed them where Elsie once ______.

9. They bought soft red ______ from another stall.

10. The scarf stayed around Emma's ______.

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1. Why did George recognise the scarf?

__________________________________________

2. How long before had Emma's mother bought the scarf?

__________________________________________

3. Why did Emma listen to George instead of leaving at once?

__________________________________________

4. What did the old photograph show?

__________________________________________

5. How did the photograph help Emma's mother?

__________________________________________

6. Why was George pleased at the station?

__________________________________________

7. What did Emma show George while they talked?

__________________________________________

8. What did Emma do after hearing George's story?

__________________________________________

9. What new thing did Emma and her mother buy?

__________________________________________

10. What is the main connection between Emma and George?

__________________________________________

TRUE/FALSE QUESTIONS

1. Emma was late for work when the story began. (True / False)

2. The station was quiet and empty. (True / False)

3. The scarf had a small blue initial. (True / False)

4. George first thought the scarf belonged to him. (True / False)

5. Elsie made things from wool. (True / False)

6. Emma refused to show George the scarf. (True / False)

7. Emma's mother had forgotten Elsie completely. (True / False)

8. George and Emma spoke only for one minute. (True / False)

9. The return train journey took twelve minutes. (True / False)

10. The story ends with Emma buying a new train ticket. (True / False)