Page 15 of Winter Magic on Railway Lane

‘And you’re going to need things like public liability insurance because it will involve people’s health and safety,’ said Ryan, who knew about all of this thanks to setting up the coffee shop.

‘We know that,’ said Bob, with a chortle. ‘And we’ve already applied for the proper licences. We’re just waiting for them to come through.’

‘The carriages are in a bit of a mess though,’ said Eddie, frowning. He looked at Ethan. ‘But we were really hoping for an extra pair of hands to get them up and running, restoring the paintwork and the internal fixings. Plus the train itself needs a new coat of paint.’

‘I’ve got to head off to America for work at the beginning of next month,’ Ethan reminded them. The contract had already been delayed, but there was every expectation that he would be needed from the beginning of November. There was a huge new shopping mall that required his skills as lighting technician.

However, to his surprise, his dad and grandad didn’t seem concerned about him leaving the country.

‘Well, that might work out,’ said Bob, nodding thoughtfully. ‘Because we were thinking of a trial run on the last day of October in any case, so you could always help us with that instead.’

‘This month?’ spluttered Ethan.

‘You mean for Halloween?’ asked Ryan.

His dad and grandad gave a cry of disbelief. ‘Oh! Why didn’t we think of that!’ said Eddie, looking at his son with delight. ‘A Halloween-themed train!’

‘It’s a smashing idea,’ replied Bob, beaming from ear to ear. ‘It could be a real-life ghost train!’

‘That’ll get the punters in for miles around here!’ said Eddie, clapping his hands in excitement. ‘And that was the idea because we plan to raise money for a local charity.’

They both looked across at Ethan, smiling broadly.

‘You’ll help, won’t you?’ asked Bob.

‘Er, of course,’ said Ethan, running a hand through his hair.

What choice did he have? His dad had been through such a tough couple of years and with his grandad saying it was a lifelong dream of his, he didn’t want either of them taking on too much. And yet, he felt trapped into a corner.

‘Don’t you think the end of month date is perhaps a tad ambitious?’ he asked in a soft tone.

But his dad and grandad were too busy looking at the calendar on their mobile phones. ‘It’s perfect,’ Eddie was saying. ‘Halloween actually falls on a Saturday this year.’

‘So no worrying about the kids needing an early night because of school the next day,’ replied Bob. ‘So they can go trick or treating first.’

‘Or we can set up something on the platform instead,’ added Eddie, beaming.

Ethan blew out a long sigh. It looked as if he had some serious work to do before he headed off to America in four weeks’ time.

He just needed to get everything in place before he left, he decided. Then he could leave everything in his dad and grandad’s capable hands.

The trouble was, neither of them were getting any younger and it was a big task they had set themselves.

He looked at his brother, who looked equally concerned.

‘I think I’d better get another round in,’ said Ryan, collecting the empty pint glasses. ‘Whilst you’ve still got time to drink it.’

9

The following evening, Libby headed up the stairs to the apartment above the station, armed with a bottle of her home-made gin cocktail and a large box of chocolates.

When the front door was opened, it was Ryan who was standing there.

‘Good evening,’ he said, letting her inside.

‘Excuse me, this is supposed to be a girls’ only space,’ she told him, with a grin.

‘You’re half an hour early,’ he replied, as she shrugged off her coat. ‘Katy’s still in the shower.’