Someone touched me yesterday

Somebody touched me yesterday and I cried.
Not a big sobbing, gulping outpouring
But very British tears
Moist eyes and a grimace hidden behind a mask

She leaned over to pick up something from the shelf
And her arm grazed mine
I jumped and she looked mortified
As if she’d forgotten when she was

I looked intently at the tin in my hand
So no one would see my reaction
I was ashamed at not being a hero
I…