When I first met Paul back in 1980, I knew there was something special about him, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on it.
It was the year Madness were topping the charts, shoulder pads were big, and George Lucas released the sequel to his world-famous sci-fi franchise.
We were both working on the Metropolitan line and, as soon as I saw him, I felt an immediate spark.
Over the next three years, we became the best of friends.
We spent countless hours together between shifts at Neasden Depot, talking about science fiction, films, and theatre.
Before long, friendship turned into something much deeper.
Forty-three years later, we are still together, still driving trains on the London Underground and still enjoying each other's company.
These days, we are rarely apart and always seem to know what the other is thinking.
Throughout our careers, we have arranged our shifts to match whenever possible.
Working nights, weekends and bank holidays has meant we can enjoy quieter weekdays together.
Away from the railway, we have spent many happy years living in Barking, which we are proud to call home.
The area is on the up.
We've seen new shops open, new homes built, and investment brought into the town.
That's brilliant, because it attracts more people and adds to the vibrant mix of cultures that makes Barking such a special place.
I love living in Barking.
One of the things we value most is the diversity of the community.
We enjoy meeting people from different backgrounds and ethnic communities.
Barking is a real melting pot and, because of that, there is a strong sense of understanding and neighbourliness that makes it such a welcoming place to live.
Of course, work sometimes takes us in opposite directions.
While we are like ships that pass in the night, whenever our trains pass each other, I look out for Paul's train number and switch on my cab light.
He does the same, and we wave as we pass.
Between us, we have spent more than eight decades travelling the Metropolitan line between Amersham and Aldgate.
We've witnessed enormous changes over the years, from major technological advances to the creation of Transport for London.
People often ask why we never married.
The truth is we still debate it.
Paul has proposed more than once, but I always give the same answer: "I'm really superstitious!"
For now, we're still enjoying the journey, both on the railway and in Barking.
After 43 years together, our secret signal is still shining brightly.
- Tania Walker is a Metropolitan line train operator for Transport for London.
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