Page 24 of The Christmas Catch
“One, we’ve left Scotland and are finally in England.”
Morgan held up a triumphant fist.
“Second, we’re just passing a village called Snowton that has a Christmas festival and parade today, and it’s billed as the most festive place in the north.”
“My friend told me about a town called Mistletoe in the southeast that loves Christmas. But I never knew there was somewhere in this neck of the woods, too.”
The train tannoy crackled to life. Ali’s body tightened. She hoped this wasn’t bad news.
“Good evening, ladies and gents. This is your driver speaking. I’ve got some bad news, I’m afraid. We’ve got a fallen tree on the line up ahead that’s brought down some power lines, making it dangerous to advance. There are two choices. First, wait on the train and we’ll try to make you as comfortable as possible with free tea and coffee, and blankets. Second, we’re pretty near a footpath to the nearest town, Snowton, which is about two miles away. If you’d prefer to get off and go there, go to carriage five. A member of staff will be on hand to escort you off the train and to the footpath. I’d say your best bet is to stay on the train as the town isn’t that big, but it’s up to you. Any questions, I’ll be passing through the carriages now.”
Ali couldn’t quite believe it. She shook her head and turned to Morgan. “You ever get the feeling this trip is doomed?”
“Never. It’s just throwing up problems for me to solve.” Morgan took a breath. “What do you think? Shall we get off? I don’t fancy being stranded here, and I remember the last few times this happened. Trains didn’t move for hours or passengers had to walk down the tracks in the dark. It happened to a friend of mine. She said it was terrifying.”
Ali steepled her fingers in front of her chest. If they got off, at least they were taking matters into their own hands.
“Are you one of those people who hate waiting at bus stops, too?”
Morgan gave her a knowing smile. Ali struggled not to lean forward and touch her face.
“Hate it. I’d rather walk.”
Composure.
“Even when the bus gets there before you do?”
“Even then. At least in my head I’m getting somewhere.”
Ali twisted her mouth left and right. She didn’t fancy being stuck on a train overnight, either.
She got up and hitched her backpack on her shoulder. If they were moving, it would distract her from wanting to kiss Morgan Scott, at least.
“Let’s go to carriage five, shall we?”
* * *
Ali wavedher phone around the ground at their feet, the torch lighting some of the way. The lights of the train still cast a glow from behind, but they’d lose that soon enough. Up ahead, it was pitch black, but in the distance, there was a hazy light. The torch showed the path was wide enough for three people, flanked either side by a rough stone wall that stopped around knee height.
“It’s fucking dark, and I swear I’m about to tread in cow shit.”
Beside her, Morgan chuckled, as if she loved this type of adventure. Like life was better because of it. Maybe for her, it was.
“So long as this is a footpath and there are no cows on it, I’m good,” Morgan said.
“We might meet the only concrete-loving cow in the country.”
“Don’t say that.”
Maybe Morgan wasn’t loving this as much as she made out. Ali shivered and pulled her scarf as tight as it would go. She dropped her phone and the night went dark. “Shit!”
“Not literally, I hope.” Morgan rummaged in her bag, presumably to get her phone.
Ali crouched down, found hers, and gave them light again. “No shit attached to phone. Phone still working and acting as a torch. Be thankful for small mercies.” She stopped walking, noticing Morgan had stopped, too. “Everything okay?”
“I’m sure it’s in here somewhere, but I can’t find my phone.” She said it through gritted teeth.
“Did you have it out on the train?”
