When Elijah was gone, Simon found some paper and a pen and wrote a letter to Zech. He then found the money Elijah had shown him and went to the station, to buy his ticket.
He was admittedly nervous when queuing. He had dreamed of this moment for so long, but now that it had arrived, he felt anxious and even hesitant. He hated this town, and yet it was the only place he had ever known, and he also had many precious memories here. He was about to embark on a new stage of life that was thoroughly unfamiliar. He had held it up as the only hope he clung onto for so long... but what if it would turn out to be disappointing. What if he couldn't find work. What if the relationship with Zech would not work out? What there wouldn't be that 'place for him' in York that he had imagined?
And then it was his turn and he bought his ticket. Relief washed over him when he stood outside the station. Whatever the future held, he had taken the first step and he would see where it would lead him. He would be free to make his own choices at least. And could it be any worse than life here had become? Eventually, he would find a place where he belonged, even if he would have to face adversity first. Life here had been endlessly the same, with no hope of improvement. Now he had taken his first step into the world of possibility.
Simon posted his letter and returned to Elijah's place, but he found himself pacing, rather than resting. Why was he so restless?