Chapter 31
T he train vibrated and its engine fired up. I stared out of the window and as we pulled away leaving the station behind, civilisation turned to darkness.
Passengers throughout the carriage chatted in loud excitement.
Some looked forward to catching up with family, others to their Christmas dinners.
Children squealed over what they might find in their stockings, while parents looked forward to getting their little ones to bed.
I looked at Gideon, who continued to appear miserable.
Even without Alex’s presence, I doubted that would have changed.
Needing something other than him to focus on, I reached into my tote bag and pulled out my knitting. Smoothing out the blanket I’d recently started, I was happy to lose myself in the rhythmic clickety-clack of my needles.
Obviously wanting a distraction too, Alex delved into his rucksack and produced his pencil and sketchpad. As he turned to a blank page, Gideon looked up from his phone and taking in Alex’s creative tools, scowled. Not that this seemed to bother Alex. He simply set about drawing.
Noting Gideon’s disdain, I wondered how a man could have so much dislike for someone he hardly knew.
Alex’s mere presence brought out an arrogance in Gideon that I didn’t much care for.
Whether it was the result of insecurity or not, it was a reaction I found both unnecessary and embarrassing. And dare I say it, childish.
Alex was clearly talented, and peeking at his sketch, I was amazed at how quickly he worked. I was mesmerised as I watched his pencil strokes come to life. Sweeping lines turned more detailed and once shading was introduced, a clear picture of the adjacent pregnant woman and her husband emerged.
Returning my attention to my own creative endeavour, white flakes landing on the window caught my eye.
‘Look, everyone, it’s snowing,’ I said. In my excitement, I tapped Alex’s leg and like mine, his face lit up.
He leaned over for a closer look, and I breathed in the intoxicating scent of sandalwood and spices that I’d come to associate with Alex.
‘Fantastic,’ he said. ‘We might get a white Christmas, after all.’
Gideon frowned. ‘I’ve never understood the fuss myself.’
Alex flicked his gaze upwards as he settled himself back down. ‘Sounds like someone lost a few snowball fights in his time.’
I put a hand up to my mouth to hide my amusement, while Gideon, keeping his eyes on his phone, pursed his lips.
I regarded my boyfriend, wondering if Alex might have had a point.
There had to be a reason Gideon kept his inner child buried.
In all the time I’d known him, he’d never daydreamed or been playful and free-spirited.
From what I’d seen from his interactions with Alex, even art was to be met with scorn.
I sighed. When it came to letting go, Gideon either didn’t have the know-how, or as he would claim, see the need.
The doors to the next carriage opened and I looked over to see the train conductor step forward. Clearly a fellow fan of the festive season, he wore a Santa hat and a massive smile that reminded me of Gran’s. ‘Merry Christmas,’ he said, as he punched and handed back tickets. ‘Ho! Ho! Ho!’
He finally reached us. ‘Tickets please.’
While I waited for Gideon to produce ours, Alex dug into his pocket and handed his over. With the elderly and pregnant couples holding theirs out at the ready, the conductor turned his attention to them.
‘Someone’s having a good evening,’ the elderly woman said.
‘It’s my final shift,’ the conductor replied. ‘As of tomorrow, I’m officially retired.’ He dipped his chin. ‘Enough to make anyone smile, wouldn’t you say?’
Thinking of Joyce, I wondered if the conductor’s wife would agree.
Alex nudged me. ‘How cool is that? Carrying out your last duties, on the last train before Christmas?’
Gideon rolled his eyes.
Turning his attention to the pregnant couple, the conductor punched their tickets. ‘Fingers crossed the driver will put his foot down and I can start celebrating early.’ He looked to Gideon and me.
As if sensing my stare, Gideon finally let his phone drop. ‘What? I haven’t got them. I put them in the pocket of your rucksack.’
I gave him a stiff smile and indicated the overhead storage rack. ‘Then could you pass it to me please?’ His behaviour was beginning to really grate.
Alex rose to his feet. ‘I’ll get it. What am I looking for?’
‘Thank you,’ I said. ‘It’s black. With a crocheted frog keyring on one of the straps.’
Searching through the luggage, Alex frowned. ‘It doesn’t seem to be here.’
Again, I turned my eyes on Gideon.
‘Don’t look at me,’ Gideon said. ‘I don’t know where it is.’
Everyone was watching us. I hated being the centre of attention and my cheeks reddened. ‘What are you talking about? You brought it in from the car.’
‘No, I didn’t.’
‘Yes, you did. I asked you to grab it, remember. At the station when I was tying my lace.’ I swallowed, my embarrassment fast turning to frustration. ‘Please tell me you didn’t leave it behind?’
Gideon shrugged. ‘I must’ve done.’
I pictured my rucksack lying in the boot of Gideon’s BMW, realising our tickets were the least of my problems. I had no toothbrush, let alone a clean set of clothes.
Worse still, the Christmas cards and gifts I’d bought for his family were in that bag and I could already hear Serena’s disparaging remarks at me turning up empty-handed.
Seeing Gideon’s nonchalance, I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
‘You’ll have to buy more tickets, I’m afraid,’ the conductor said.
Alex automatically dug his hand in his pocket, but the conductor stopped him.
‘My purse is in my bag,’ I said. ‘Is there any way…’
‘I’m not talking to you, love.’ The conductor’s face turned serious as he jerked his head in Gideon’s direction. ‘I’m talking to him.’
‘I don’t think so.’ Gideon huffed as he crossed his arms. ‘I’m not…’
‘A gentleman?’ the conductor asked, eyebrows raised.
Gideon’s gaze went from him to everyone around us.
People’s expressions ranged from disbelief to contempt, leaving him under no illusion as to what they thought.
Realising he had no choice in the matter, he finally pulled out his wallet.
‘I don’t believe this,’ he said, holding his card over the payment machine.
‘Thank you, sir,’ the conductor said. ‘That wasn’t hard was it.’ He handed our new tickets to me, and with a smile and a wink went on his way.
I pulled out my phone and hit Google. If I could find a shop that was open on Christmas Day, hopefully one of Gideon’s family members would drive me so I could at least brush my teeth. As my search continued, my heart sank. It appeared I was stuck until Boxing Day.
The train slowed, and numerous passengers got up from their seats.
I watched them excitedly gather up their belongings ready for their festive celebrations to start in earnest. Feeling envious, I wished they’d take me with them.
I sighed. If I’d thought the previous Christmas was bad enough, it was nothing compared to what I was currently going through.
Turning my attention to outside the window, my eyes widened.
A continuous flurry of huge snowflakes cascaded to the ground and as the train came to a standstill, the whole platform was a blanket of white.
The perfect canvas for snow angels and footprint patterns, the station was like a Christmas card scene.
Children squealed in delight as they and their families disembarked.
Scooping up handfuls of snow, they shaped them into balls and threw them in all directions.
Smiling as I watched them, I wondered how many were already planning to build snowmen.
‘This is cosy, isn’t it?’ the elderly woman said. She gestured to the empty carriage. ‘Looks like we’re the only ones left.’ She smiled at each of us. ‘I’m Martha, by the way. And this is Brian.’
‘Alex.’ He reached over and shook everyone’s hands. ‘Nice to meet you.’
‘Lexi,’ the pregnant woman said. She indicated her husband. ‘This is Jake.’
All eyes turned to me.
‘Hattie.’ I looked to my boyfriend, but he was still more interested in his phone. ‘That’s Gideon.’
Alex eyed the rows of vacant seats. He turned to me. ‘Actually, I might just…’
Nodding, I appreciated why Alex would want to move. The journey so far hadn’t exactly been joyful. Another look at Gideon and I felt tempted to go with him.
Alex was halfway to his feet when the carriage doors swished open. Clocking the arrival of a new passenger, his eyes widened, and he dropped back down.
Wondering why he’d lost the use of his legs, I followed his gaze. My head flinched back slightly and I frowned. What’s she doing here? I wondered if I was imagining things: Julia was the last person I expected to see.
As she approached, I supposed Alex’s response wasn’t surprising; Julia looked stunning.
Stylish as ever, she wore a Barber jacket in classic olive, knee-high boots and, as was customary, perfect make-up.
Carrying what was clearly an expensive travel bag, she swapped it from one leather-gloved hand to her other.
Her presence couldn’t be a coincidence.
‘Gideon,’ I said, not taking my eyes off Julia. ‘What’s going on?’
‘What do you mean?’
I indicated over his shoulder and following my eyeline, Gideon twisted round in his seat.
Curious as to what all the fuss was about, Martha, Brian, Lexi and Jake followed suit.
I shook my head in disdain as Julia revelled in the attention.
Anyone would have thought the train aisle was her personal catwalk.
She took off her beanie and flicking her head, ran her fingers through her long lustrous hair.
Removing what I knew from experience was a luxury angora scarf, a delicious smile spread across her face.
‘There you are, Gideon,’ she said, placing her bag on the now empty seat behind him.
‘Didn’t I tell you we’d be on the same train.
’ She raised her eyebrows. ‘Now be a darling and make some room. I’d like to sit down. ’