Page 12 of Winter Magic on Railway Lane

In the distance, just down the narrow path on the other side of the railway tracks was Cranbridge, the village split down the middle by the river. It had a well-stocked corner shop and a popular pub, The Black Swan Inn.

As they approached the station, the train slowed right down so that it crept along the platform. Then, with more steam, andthe hiss and clanking of huge metal cogs and wheels, the steam engine ground to a halt just beyond the station.

Bob turned to look at his son and father, his teeth bright white against the sooty black-smeared face. ‘We did it,’ he said, with a laugh. But his blue eyes shone out with pride. ‘It’s been a dream come true to go out on the engine we’ve worked so hard on.’

Eddie nodded slowly, his eyes looking watery but he was smiling too. ‘Well done us,’ he said.

Bob and Ethan stepped forward at the same time to embrace Eddie and all three of them stood there for a moment, relishing the result of their ambition.

Even Ethan could feel his throat contracting with tears and emotion. ‘That was amazing,’ he told them both.

Bob nodded, still looking extremely stunned. ‘Let’s have a drink to celebrate!’ he declared.

‘It’s only half past ten in the morning,’ said Ethan, checking his watch and laughing.

‘Yes, but we’ve been waiting twenty years for a pint to celebrate the first run!’ said Bob with a grin.

7

‘Cheers!’ said Libby, as she and her friends clinked together their glasses that evening.

They were celebrating the success of the inaugural run of the steam engine earlier that morning. The cosy Black Swan Inn in Cranbridge was the perfect place, with its roaring fires and exposed wooden beams. Plus, it was only a short walk from Cranfield and so everyone had been able to come to celebrate after work.

Nearly everyone, thought Libby. Her dad had once more declined her offer to join them, preferring to stay at home with his radio for company, despite thoroughly enjoying watching the steam engine.

‘Wasn’t the steam train romantic?’ said Harriet, with a soft sigh. ‘I thought it was dreamy. Like something out of a movie.’

Everyone nodded in agreement.

‘I just can’t believe they got it going after all this time,’ said Flora, shaking her head in disbelief.

‘Oh, Eddie’s always had a can-do attitude,’ said Grams, with a nod.

Flora’s elderly grandmother, Helen, known to most people as Grams, was eighty years old, but her eyes sparkled bright against her grey hair and rosy cheeks.

‘And Bob definitely inherited that attitude from his dad too,’ added Maggie, with a smile.

Maggie was one of Libby’s neighbours on Railway Lane. She was a shy widow who had begun to come out of her shell over the past year, thanks partly to her skills in baking delicious cakes which were sold in Platform 1.

After the breakdown of his marriage, Bob had become friends with Maggie and they often went out for a walk at the weekend, followed by a drink in the pub.

‘I’m so pleased for Bob and Eddie,’ said Katy. ‘Everyone in the coffee shop today talked of nothing else.’

Harriet nodded in agreement. ‘All my customers in the lavender spa wanted to know when it’s going to be running again as some people missed it.’

‘Well, here’s hoping we’ll see it out and about again at some point,’ said Grams. ‘If not, it would be lovely to have it out on show for everyone to have a closer look. Maybe at the weekend when folks aren’t working.’

‘Talking of which, any good news about a job?’ asked Flora gently, turning to look at Libby.

Libby shook her head. ‘Nothing but my official redundancy letter,’ she replied, almost unable to bear their pitiful looks. ‘And at least it gives me more time to make some more chocolate, I suppose.’

‘Good news for us,’ said Harriet.

‘Hopefully a new challenge job-wise will come up very soon,’ said Katy, with a knowing smile and a wink.

Libby wasn’t sure what Katy’s plan was. She was a business whizz who was always coming up with somewhat hare-brainedschemes that had all miraculously worked. But how she would find a job for Libby was anyone’s guess.

She raised her eyebrows in question at Katy, who merely shook her head in reply.