Doctor Margaret McCollum, like anyone who lost their significant other, struggled to cope with the sudden loneliness her late-husband left deep in her heart. However, she managed to find a unique sense of comfort — oddly, deep underground — until it was suddenly stripped away without warning. She feared the comfort she found was permanently gone, but she’d do anything to get it back…
This Is How You Travel
Even Queen Elizabeth II took the tube once. Anyone spending time in London has “minded the gap” and stepped aboard the city’s subway system, though it held a special place in the heart of Doctor Margaret McCollum.
The London Underground
Used by millions of commuters every day, the London Underground was the preferred method of travel for Margaret (below). She took the transport system from her home in North London to her offices, and every time, she felt something other commuters didn’t.
Reminder of Love
See, while she did take the tube to cut down on transportation costs and eliminate driving in the traffic-heavy city, she had a personal reason for braving the crowds and grime: Every time a train pulled up, she was reminded of love.
“Mind The Gap”
That’s because her late husband, an actor named Oswald Laurence, spoke to her every time one of the shuttles pulled into the station. How exactly? Well, it all had to do with the station’s “Mind The Gap” warning.
Hearing Oswald’s Voice
The booming voice cautioning riders to watch their step as they walked on and off the subway car was actually Oswald himself. Years before he passed away, he landed a contract with the London Underground, and Margaret heard him almost every day.
His Voice Lives On
Although Oswald never attained a huge amount of fame for his acting work, after he passed away in 2007 his voice lived on throughout the northbound Northern Line of the London Underground. This helped Margaret cope.
Special Subway Connection
Naturally, Margaret was crushed when she lost her partner. “It was devastating to lose him. He had a great zest for life,” she said of Oswald. But, she knew how lucky she was to have that special subway connection.
Taking Every Opportunity
Even before he died, she would wait an extra few minutes at the station to hear his voice. The two were in love, and she took any opportunity she could to hear him speak. Over time, however, Oswald’s voice became less prevalent.
Fizzling Out
Slowly, the man Margaret fell in love with on a tour of Morocco in 1992 fizzled out of her life, as well as the lives of the thousands of commuters. Eventually, the only station that carried his particular warning — and voice — was Embankment.
Traveling Embankment Often
Margaret knew she was blessed to hear Oswald speak, even if it was just those three words. Most people never get the opportunity to hear their loved ones again, so Margaret traveled via Embankment as often as possible, even though it was out of the way. It was worth it.
A Moment Of True Happiness
Because for those brief few seconds Oswald spoke, nostalgia washed over her, and she was truly happy, if only for a moment. She admitted, “Since he died I would sit and wait for the next train until I heard his voice.” But the joy wouldn’t last.
A New Greeting
One chilly November morning, however, Margaret was greeted with something completely different as she was waiting for a subway at Embankment: silence. Surely something was wrong with the loudspeaker. So, she waited a little longer.
“He Wasn’t There”
Nothing happened. She waited for several subways to pass, but still, Oswald’s voice never kicked in. Margaret felt a void open in her heart. “He wasn’t there. I was just stunned when Oswald wasn’t there anymore.”
Phasing Out Oswald
She found one of the London Underground employees and inquired about the lack of audible warning regarding the gaps. “I was told there was a new digital system and they could not get his voice on it,” she said. This was bad news.
A Devastating Realization
A devastated Margaret sat and stared off into the distance, unable to cope with the fact Oswald was now truly gone. Little did she know, though, the worker she told the story to wanted to help the grieving woman.
The Director Steps In
Nigel Holness, London Underground’s director, took charge of the situation. “Transport for London were approached by the widow of Oswald Laurence,” he said, “to see whether she could get a copy of the iconic ‘mind the gap’ announcement her husband made over 40 years ago.”
“We Were Very Touched”
“We were very touched by her story,” Nigel continued, “so staff tracked down the recording and not only were they able to get a copy of the announcement on CD for her to keep but are also working to restore the announcement at Embankment station.”
A Constant Connection
In an amazing act of kindness, the workers were able to supply Margaret with exactly what she sought out every day: Oswald’s voice. Now, the doctor had a constant connection to the man she loved more than anything.
A Small Reminder
Although it’s just Oswald’s voice, the CD will always hold a special place in Margaret’s heart. The grieving experience became more intimate, more personal. She could listen to Oswald in the comfort of her own home. She knew the possible pitfalls of that.
Grieving
Margaret had heard stories of people grieving and healing before having the Band-Aid ripped off and the wound re-opened.