The Midnight Train

Chapter 9

Miles Away

As he read the words, Wilbur was overwhelmed by a pain in his neck, running down his arm, coupled with a pressure in his chest. By the time he got to the end of the letter the pain was so intense it engulfed everything else, making his surroundings seem miles away.

He staggered outside to get the help of Josh, the gardener, occupied on the tractor-mower.

Wilbur reached the lawn before collapsing, while the letter lay back in the house on the kitchen tiles, never to be read again.