“Then that’s settled,” he said, just as the hack came to a stop in front of the Manchester Victoria Station. It was a grand, imposing structure of red brick and stone facades, tall arched windows, and decorative ironwork. What captured most of Minnie’s attention, however, was the people.
People were everywhere. Of all ages, all manner of dress, all speeds — some walking at a slow, leisurely pace, but most moving at a fast clip as they hustled to make their train. Minnie wondered if any of them were also running away from their lives as she was.
Tommy held out a hand to help Minnie down from the hack, paying the driver before he left. As she watched him doso, Minnie realized how much this trip of theirs was likely costing Tommy — much more than just his time, his reputation, and his hand in marriage.
“I brought all of the pin money I could find,” she said in a rush. “It isn’t much, but hopefully it’s enough for a ticket.”
“How often have you ridden the train?” he asked.
“A few times,” she said, but she didn’t want to share that most of the time she had ridden the train, her family’s private coach had practically delivered them to the platform where they could enter the first-class train, without much break in luxury.
Tommy led her inside the station, which was filled with the sounds of puffing steam engines, the atmosphere charged with excitement and urgency as passengers hurried to catch their trains. There were vendors selling newspapers and refreshments, the aroma of hot tea and baked goods wafting through the air, causing Minnie’s mouth to water and her stomach to rumble as she realized she hadn’t eaten anything since yesterday afternoon, for she had been too apprehensive to eat more than a couple of bites at dinner, and this morning, of course, there had been no time for breakfast.
“Are you hungry?” Tommy asked as though reading her thoughts, and she realized that no one had ever paid her this much attention before, taking the time to understand what she was thinking before she even knew herself.
“I can get something on the train,” she said, causing Tommy to look at her strangely.
“There is no food on the train.”
“Of course there is! Why, every time I travel with my father…” She realized suddenly that the train travel she was used to was not an experience Tommy shared. “There is no food in the train cars we are travelling in, isthere?” she finished.
“No,” Tommy said with a quick shake of his head. “There is not.”
“Then yes, I could use something now,” she said quietly, and he nodded before walking through the crowd to buy from a vendor at the other end of the train platform. As she ate her baked blueberry scone, Tommy stood in line for tickets, refusing to take any of her money for payment.
Minnie spent the time watching the mix of travellers, some of whom were sitting on the wooden benches that lined the platform, others standing, but most of them moving. There were well-dressed gentlemen and ladies in finery, workers in more modest attire, and families with children, most eager for their journeys.
Tommy led her toward one of the platforms, looking back and forth, and Minnie leaned in close.
“Are you worried?”
“I am concerned that your family might have noticed you missing by now. The train station will be the first place they would search for you.”
“We are fortunate, then, that my parents are not early risers. I am hoping we will be well away from Manchester by the time they realize I am gone.”
“Let’s hope.”
They walked up the stairs, Tommy carrying their small bags, and he held an arm out to allow Minnie to be the first to step into the train car.
She stopped so quickly that he ran into the back of her.
She took a breath, steeling herself. It was… not how she had remembered train travel.
There was no plush seating, no rich fabrics, no elegant decor. Instead, there were plain, hard seats, lined up in rows.
Clean floors and meticulously polished wood were replaced by walls and seats showing signs of wear, with crumbs on the floor and visible dirt aroundthe car.
No individual areas were providing the passengers with privacy. Instead, the car was bustling and noisy, crammed full of people packed closely together.
No one wore fine fabrics, but rather durable, working clothing, while the sweet fragrances and colognes were replaced by the smells of less cleanliness and food of all manner.
“Everything all right?” Tommy said behind her, and Minnie nodded.
Discomfort reigned as Minnie felt so far removed from the life she knew, but she was also strangely excited. Each of these people had a story to tell, and with the façade of finery washed away, they were likely more genuine than anyone she usually kept company with.
Their journeys likely held far more meaning, for a train ride would not be taken out of luxury, but rather out of necessity or for a well-meaning intention, such as visiting a loved one.
Or running away to Gretna Green.
