I got up at five o’clock this morning. It was very early for me. I usually get up at seven o’clock, but today I had to be at work early in the morning. And I have a problem – my car is broken. The repair station will give me back my car in two days, and so this morning, I had to take a bus.

I don’t like buses. There are always so many people, and sometimes when a bus is late, you have to wait in the rain. I hate it. I like my car. I like driving it every day.

So I got up early and had two eggs and bacon for breakfast. And coffee, of course! I always have some coffee in the morning. I can’t live without coffee. I have one cup at home and then one cup in my office. I always start my day like this.

I brushed my teeth, put on my shoes and coat and went to the bus stop. I did not want to miss the bus, so I walked quickly. I arrived at the bus stop ten minutes early, but that’s OK. It’s better to be ten minutes early than one minute late!

Two minutes later, someone said to me: “Hello, Richard. Is that really you?” It was my old friend Peter.

“Peter! Nice to see you!” I was surprised. “When did we meet last? Can you remember?”

“No, not exactly,” he smiled. “I think it was about a year ago, in the shopping centre…” he said and then he asked: “So, what are you doing here? I didn’t know that you go to work by bus!”

“I don’t go to work by bus,” I answered. “I usually drive to work, but my car is broken and it is with the repair station for two days. So I am going to work by bus today and also tomorrow,” I said. “But what are you doing here? I thought that you go to work by car, too!” I asked.

“No, not any more. I drove to work for many years, but last year, my car broke down, too. And I had to take a bus, like you today,” he said.

“But your car is good now, I hope?” I asked.

“Yes, it is,” he said.

“So why do you go to work by bus, and not by car? I don’t understand,” I said.

“I tell you what happened,” he smiled. “One morning, when my car was broken, I went to this bus stop. Just like you today. And after few minutes, I met our old friend, Harry. Can you remember Harry?” he asked.

“Yes, of course, I can remember Harry. But I did not see him for a very long time. When did you meet him last?” I asked.

“I met Harry yesterday,” he laughed, “and you can meet him now!”

“Richard!” someone said behind my back.

“Harry! It is not possible! We just talked about you!” I said. I was very happy. I met my two old friends in the same morning.

“See?” Peter said to me. “Last year, I met Harry, and now we both go to work by bus and we meet every morning. Sometimes, we also go for a beer in the evening. That is the reason why I do not drive to work any more. When you drive, you are alone. Harry lives near here, like you. But you did not meet him for a long time. I meet him every day,” he laughed. “And now I met you, too!”

“My bus is coming, guys. I have to go now, but I will see you tomorrow morning, OK?”

“Yes, sure. See you tomorrow!” Peter and Harry said together.

On my way to work, I thought about my friends. They were very happy, and I was happy, too. In two days, I will have my car back and I will drive to work again. “And maybe not. Maybe I will go by bus like my friends,” I thought. I have to think about it.