Chapter 30
I turned the car radio on, hoping a few Christmas tunes would bring forth Gideon’s Christmas spirit.
He reached for the off switch and silenced it again.
To hide my dismay, I turned my attention to what was going on outside the vehicle and while Gideon frowned at the road ahead, I stared out of the side window.
I stole a glance at him. Should I have gone with his suggestion that I spend the holidays alone in the flat?
Gideon’s work call had left his mood far from festive.
While I might not have had a fridge full of treats to enjoy, lounging on the sofa, watching a Christmas special on TV, with nothing but a chip sandwich to eat, seemed way more fun.
I sighed, realising how selfish I was being.
I’d heard for myself how awful Gideon’s boss had been and for all I knew, Gideon could have been threatened with the sack over the expected report.
Under that circumstance, it was no wonder he was brooding.
I would be too. I reached over and stroked his arm. ‘Are you sure you’re okay?’
Gideon hands tightened around the steering wheel. ‘I’ve told you. Everything’s fine.’
My phone bleeped in a welcome diversion and pulling it from my bag, I couldn’t help but smile at the photo Joyce had sent through. Its accompanying text said:
Ready for dinner. Edible food at last!
Grinning into the camera, she looked radiant in her burgundy ankle-length chiffon dress and while Richard appeared less comfortable, he cut a dashing figure in his black suit and tie.
It was good to know Joyce was having fun.
She deserved it. I sighed. I’d have put money on Erin having a better time than me too, despite having to prepare for her interview.
Gideon put a hand on my knee. ‘I’m sorry. I’m just concentrating on the road. Once we’re settled on the train and I’m finally distraction free, I promise I’ll cheer up.’
I nodded, appreciating the reassurance.
I was relieved to see the train already in when we got to the station. Our Christmas Eve might not have got off to the best start, but with a bit of luck everyone else’s excitement would be contagious, and Gideon would soon relax into the festive spirit.
Grabbing my tote bag and climbing out of the car, I shuddered.
Having thought it cold when we’d left the flat, the air temperature seemed to have plummeted.
As I moved to the rear of the vehicle, I looked up at the sky as I walked and more interested in the blanket of cloud above than what was happening on the ground, I suddenly tripped.
Noticing my bootlace was undone, I crouched down in the darkness to retie it.
‘Could you get my rucksack too, please,’ I called out to Gideon.
He slammed the boot lid shut and the bleep from his central locking system sounded. ‘I’ll meet you on there,’ he said, heading off.
At last following in Gideon’s footsteps, I had no idea as to where our seats were.
So I climbed aboard the first section of train I came to.
Scanning the masses, I looked up and down the aisle in search of Gideon.
With him nowhere in sight, I squeezed past luggage that fellow passengers had left in the aisle, and apologising as I went, I moved through to the next carriage.
My shoulders slumped with relief as I finally, spotted Gideon. ‘There you are.’ By the time I reached him, our bags were already squashed into the overhead storage rack, and he’d settled himself in.
‘We were lucky,’ he said, indicating our table section. ‘The couple of teens that were here went back to their parents.’
I narrowed my eyes as I lowered myself into the seat opposite Gideon. ‘Did they jump? Or were they pushed?’
‘A bit of both,’ the heavily pregnant lady in an adjacent seat replied.
Gideon frowned, while I bit down on my lips trying to hide my amusement.
The woman pulled out a book from her bag and opening it, began to read.
Her face full of concentration, she had blonde hair that was tied into a ponytail, and a blunt fringe that framed her face.
She wore a dark green long-sleeved jersey dress buttoned at the chest with an empire waistline that fit perfectly over her humongous pregnancy bump.
I noticed a cool box ensconced in the seat opposite her and her husband, and she looked up from her book as if sensing my interest.
‘Someone’s come prepared,’ I said.
She rubbed her belly. ‘That’s what happens when you’re eating for two.’
Clocking the naughty glint in her eye, I immediately liked her.
Gideon pulled out his phone, his expression one of worry as he scrolled through it.
He looked up as the train doors swished open, but the elderly couple that climbed aboard didn’t hold his attention and he quickly got back to his screen.
I shook my head in disappointment. When it came to keeping his promise, he’d have had a better chance at cheering up if he’d left his damn mobile in the car.
As they headed towards us, the elderly wife looked up and down the aisle for free seats, while her husband struggled with their suitcase. Seeing this, the father-to-be reached over and shifted the cool box out of the way to make room.
The elderly woman smiled in appreciation, as she took off her padded coat, expertly rolling it into a tight sausage as she scooted into the window seat.
‘It makes the perfect pillow,’ she said to the pregnant woman.
‘See.’ She demonstrated how it could be used to cushion her head as she leant against the glass.
Having patiently waited until his wife was settled, the elderly woman’s husband tried to lift their luggage up onto the racking and watching him struggle, it was clear he needed assistance. I nudged Gideon’s leg with my foot and getting his attention, willed him to step in and help.
‘What?’ Gideon said. Frowning, he gestured to the lack of room in the aisle, acting like there was nothing he could do.
Embarrassed by his rudeness, I was about to stand up and intervene myself, but a male voice stopped me.
‘Here let me,’ it said.
Closing my eyes, I cringed. Of all the trains in all the towns in all the world, he steps onto mine.
In the commotion, I hadn’t seen Alex climb aboard and watching him make room amongst the bags already stowed, my eyes darted from him to Gideon.
I held my breath, hoping Gideon wouldn’t look up and Alex wouldn’t look down.
Their prior meeting had been fraught enough.
The last thing any of us needed, especially on Christmas Eve, was a rerun.
‘You’re a true gent,’ the elderly man said, as Alex took hold of the case and scooped it into place. ‘Unlike him.’
My stomach sank as, following the old man’s gaze, Alex’s face froze. Looking my way, his eyes met mine.
‘Merry Christmas,’ I said, giving him a little wave.
Alex quickly looked up and down the aisle as if searching for somewhere else to sit, but it was clear the only available spot was at our table.
He appeared to contemplate his next move and realising Alex was too much of a gentleman to make things awkward, I shifted over to the window to make room for him.
‘You sure you don’t mind?’ he asked.
It wasn’t me I was worried about; it was Gideon. ‘Not at all.’ As far as I was concerned, Alex and I had reached a truce and agreed to be friends. ‘Unless you’d rather stand?’
Alex plonked himself down and placed his bag between his feet. Staring at Gideon, he took a deep breath, in through the nose and out through the mouth.
Evidently sensing he was being watched, Gideon finally looked up from his phone and seeing Alex, his expression turned thunderous.