Page 28 of From Notting Hill with Love…Actually
But when Ursula was sorting everything out for us and gave me the choice, I opted to travel by rail. I did think about it for a while—flying would have been so much quicker, and really the less time I had to spend with Sean the better. But I could see another movie opportunity in traveling this way, and I didn’t want to miss out on any chances to add to my dossier of proof.
We arrived early at King’s Cross station on Friday lunchtime, and so had plenty of time to kill before our train arrived.
“Shall we get a coffee?” Sean asked.
“Yes, let’s,” I said eagerly, pleased he was making this so easy for me.
We walked through the station toward the concourse area of shops and cafes, me dragging my case and Sean carrying a small holdall in his hand and a folded garment bag over his shoulder.
“Aren’t you going to try and go through there?” Sean asked, grinning, as he nodded toward a wall. Two children were having their photo taken underneath a sign that saidPlatform9¾. “Then you’d be able to catch the train to Hogwarts, and you’d have another movie to cross off your list.”
“Ha ha, very funny,” I said, pulling a face. “Anyway, how’d you know that’s inHarryPotterif you never watch films?”
“I think you’ll find it was in the book,” Sean said, raising his eyebrows.
“Oh right, yes, of course it was.” I was embarrassed. I didn’t want Sean to think I was one of those people who only know the movie version of a story. But then again, why should I care what Sean thought?
We came to a stand selling hot drinks. It was hardly the refreshment room at Ketchworth station, but it would have to do.
“A coffee, please—black no sugar,” Sean said to the vendor.
The young man who grunted a reply—which I think was inquiring whether Sean wanted a lid—was hardly Myrtle Bagot, or even Beryl. I sighed wistfully as I rememberedBriefEncounter.
“What would you like, Scarlett?” Sean asked. “Hey, Scarlett?” he asked again when I didn’t respond. “Are you with us? Would you like a drink or not?”
“What? Oh sorry. Er, I’ll have a tea, please, milk no sugar.” I began to blink hard.
Sean looked at me and narrowed his eyes suspiciously. “What’s wrong?” he asked as he paid for the drinks. “Have you got a nervous twitch or something?”
“No, I think I’ve got something in my eye.” I blinked evenharder and it occurred to me I could get two movie scenes for the price of one here if Sean responded accordingly.TheHolidaycontained a similar scene between Kate Winslet and Jack Black.
“Cheers,” Sean said to the vendor as he lifted the hot cups from the counter. “What do you want to do, Scarlett—go to the ladies’ and take a look at it? I think it’s just over there, but you’ll need 30 pence to get in. Have you got change?”
“No.” I blinked. “I don’t think so.”
“Let me see if I have, then. Just hold these,” he said, passing me the drinks.
“Can’tyoutake a look?” I asked in frustration. I was standing in the middle of King’s Cross station, holding two steaming polystyrene cups and winking madly at everyone that passed by. One man even winked back. “I think it might be a piece of grit.”
“I could, but I don’t have my glasses on just now,” Sean said, still rooting about in his pockets for change.
“What glasses? I’ve never seen you wearing glasses before.”
“I only need them for close stuff. I can look into your eye if you want me to, but I can’t guarantee I’ll see anything as small as a piece of grit.” He began to rummage in his jacket pocket.
“Oh, just forget it,” I said huffily. I handed him back his coffee. “The moment’s passed now anyway. I…I mean the grit seems to have gone.”
I opened my tea and took a large gulp. It was hot and burned the back of my throat, but I wasn’t going to let on. “Looks like our train is here at last,” I said, glancing up at the ever-changing information board. “We’d better go.”
Sean followed me with a puzzled expression on his face, asI stomped off in the direction of the platform. We loaded our luggage and ourselves onto the right train, and then looked for our seats. They were facing each other over a table—and after a quick discussion about who would travel forward and who would travel back, we sat down.
I looked out of the window at the people hurrying along the platform toward their carriages and wondered what their reason was for catching the same train as us.
I bet none of them are in the same situation as I am right now, I thought as I silently watched them.
I glanced at Sean, but he wasn’t looking out of the window; he was looking at me.
“What is it?” I asked when he didn’t immediately avert his gaze.
