Page 59 of Tis the Season
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.’
CHAPTER32
Questions swirled through my mind as to the reasons behind Julia’s presence, but preferring to hold on to my dignity, I refused to demand answers or make a scene. Trying to pretend all was well, I smiled at the two couples on the adjacent table. But my acting was clearly below par as their curiosity appeared to continue.
As Julia slid into her seat, she positioned herself closer to Gideon than she could have done were we on an aeroplane. Not that Gideon seemed to notice. He didn’t even try and inch himself away. Her confident gaze went from me to Alex, and she narrowed her eyes as if weighing him up. She cocked her head. ‘Do I know you?’
Alex smiled. ‘I don’t know. Do you?’
Despite my discomfort, I chuckled at his mischievousness.
‘I’m sure I’ve seen you somewhere before.’
‘He has one of those faces,’ I said. ‘Once seen, never forgotten.’
‘Why thank you,’ Alex replied with a grin. ‘I’m taking that as a compliment.’
Gideon coughed as if reminding us he was there. A gesture I thought a bit rich, considering his and Julia’s thighs were touching.
‘No. It’s more than that.’ With a look of concentration, Julia continued to search her memory bank. ‘Don’t worry. It’ll come to me.’
