Please mind the gap between the train and platform...

My commute into the city on Southern Rail is usually pretty predictable. As I enter the train carriage and take my seat the conductor informs over the intercom in an inaudible and and heavily accented voice that I am on the (insert best guess in this space and pray your on the right train)......moments later a computer-aided female voice of indiscernible age confirms that I am indeed on the 8:04am trian to London Victoria, stopping at Upper Warlingham, Riddlesdown, Sandstead, East Croydon, Clapham Junction and Victoria Stations.

It's a routine statement that never changes and nearly everyone on the train, after several trips, can recite it verbatim. However, this morning - for some apparant reason - between Upper Warlingham and Riddlesdown the computer-aided female voice cheerfully informed us that 'Sorry, there will be no meal service on this train today'

Stunned by the sudden change in Southern Rail protocol, we all raised our heads in unison and stared at the intercom.....as far as I knew the only meal you're likely to get on the morning train to Victoria is the half eaten McDonalds hash brown left under your seat by the previous passenger.