18、Tom arrived at the bus station quite early for Paris bus. The bus for Paris would not leave until five to twelve. He saw a lot of people waiting in the station. Some were standing in line, others were walking around. There was a group of schoolgirls. Their teacher was trying to keep them in line. Tom looked around, but there was no place for him to sit.
He walked into the station cafe. He looked up at the clock there. It was only twenty to twelve. He found a seat and sat down before a large mirror on the wall. Just then, Mike, one of Tom's workmates came in and sat with Tom.
“What time is your bus?” asked Mike. “There's plenty of time yet” answered Tom.
“Well, I'll get you some more tea then” said Mike.
They talked while drinking. Then Tom looked at the clock again. “Oh! It's going backward” he cried. “A few minutes ago it was twenty to twelve, and now it's half past eleven.”
“You're looking at the clock in the mirror.” said Mike. Tom was so sad. The next bus was not to leave for another hour. Since then Tom has never liked mirrors.