Page 57 of Tis the Season
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.
CHAPTER31
The 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.’
