Page 36 of The Christmas Express

Ember

I’m usually wary of wine. It’s a drink that makes me think of my mum, my dad, the holidays we used to take in France. Then it makes me think of Bryn. Then, before I know it, I’m lonely. But I do like red.

The tang swirls in my mouth from my latest glass when the train grinds to a stop.

I’m still waiting for the heavy heart that holds hands with this particular drink for me.

Waiting for those disassociated waves to rinse me of my current surroundings so I’m only pretending to listen to those around me and actually in my head. Just me and the wine.

But today my body is right here with my mind, and Alex’s leg is against mine under the table, and Cali keeps catching my eye and making sure I’m included in the conversation. At least, she did before they all started screaming at each other.

However, I can’t help but turn over the realisation that these people haven’t seen or spoken to Bryn for nearly as long as I have. That’s wild to me. I always thought they’d be best friends forever. That I was the only stranger on this trip. But in a way, we all are.

Beside me, Alex looks to the roof, watching the white duvet settle over us, a natural dimming of the lights, and I follow her gaze up, running my eyes over her neck, her face, as I do so.

‘Oh no,’ she says under her breath.

‘What is it?’ I ask her.

‘I’ll be right back,’ she says, pulling her arm away from where it was resting behind me, taking her leg from mine. ‘Wait here?’ she asks, and the way she looks at me, I’m not going anywhere.

The others stand, stretch, the halting of the train having also halted them in their tracks, and agree it’s time to take a break from each other.

When I’m alone, the sun behind the mountains, the now-dark sky barely visible through our heap of snow, I take out my phone. If I’m going to call Bryn, now would be the time. I’m alone. I’m a little merry.

But I’m also not sure what I would say. And at this stage, it’s highly likely she’ll see me get off the train in Vancouver anyway. Tomorrow morning. Wow. I guess I’ll be in a real bed tomorrow, probably in some hotel in another big city. Right?

I open Bryn’s social feed, clicking on a picture of her and her fiancée. Hi, Ruby. She looks nice, they look happy.

But, what if... ?

Before I can scroll further, Alex slides back into the seat beside me, and I put my phone down.

‘I just spoke with some of the staff, and there’ll be an announcement soon, but we’ve hit a snowstorm, and up ahead the snow is all over the track. For miles.’

‘But aren’t you Canadians used to this?’

She smiles. ‘We are. But sometimes Mama Nature beats us at our own game.’

‘So, we’re stuck? For how long?’

Alex shrugs, but there’s glitter in her gaze.

My eyes flick over her face, my head tilting to the side. There’s a slowing down between us and our actions, as I soak in the fact that the longer we’re stuck, the more time I have to enjoy her.

It’s just a crush. Fleeting, fun, it’ll be over in the morning and I’ll focus on real life.

Or... is this real life?

Two hours later we’re still in the celestial carriage, our legs tangled together, slumped in the seat and talking the time away under our snow duvet. Everything about her is interesting and new, and right now, Bryn is hundreds of miles away, literally and also in my thoughts.

‘Ladies and gentlemen,’ another announcement comes on, interrupting our conversation. ‘I’m afraid we’re going to be here for some time. It’s not safe to clear the track in this weather so we’ll be stationary until further notice.’

‘Oh,’ I say. ‘So, what does that mean for timings?’

Alex thinks for a moment. She’s cute, chewing her lip in thought. ‘It means we might make up a little time, but we’ll be arriving in Vancouver later than planned. Maybe... sometime in the afternoon?’

Tomorrow is Boxing Day, the twenty-sixth of December. Bryn’s getting married the day after, on the twenty-seventh. If I don’t arrive until the afternoon, right before her wedding, well, why would she ever thank me for that? Is it romantic to show up that close, or is it too late?

‘Did you hear that?’ Cali says, coming back up the stairs. She looks bluer than she did earlier. Joss is a piece of work, huh? ‘It sounds like we won’t even make it to Whistler this evening.’ She looks at us, tangled together. ‘Did I interrupt?’

I sit up straighter, but don’t answer her question directly. ‘How are you all doing?’ I deflect.

‘I don’t know about the others, but I’m alright. A little worried about how long we’ll be stuck here. I don’t want us to... you know...’

‘Miss the wedding?’ Alex chimes in. ‘I don’t think we will.’

‘No, you’re probably right.’ Cali presses her nose to the window, lost in thought.

Cali looks back at us, her back straighter, a determined look on her face, the tip of her nose pink from the chilled glass. ‘Nope.’

‘No?’ I ask.

‘No. I’m not letting this be the Christmas memory from this year. We need to make the most of the situation we’re in. Do something fun. Enjoy our Christmas.’

‘We could have a party?’ I suggest. Where did that come from?

I’m not even a big fan of parties. But there’s that little free version of myself zipping around inside of me right now, the one that likes late nights on the beach and bonfires and catching waves and kissing in the starlight, and she seems to want to enjoy herself.

She doesn’t want to say goodnight, or goodbye, anytime soon.

Cali is nodding, plotting. ‘A party would be perfect. Or a disaster. But hey, it’s worth a go. Could we, Alex?’

Alex laughs. ‘I don’t think it would ruffle any feathers to play some music and drink yet more liquor up here in the celestial carriage on Christmas night during a snowstorm.’

‘Really?’ I ask. ‘You’d join us, right?’

‘I’d love to. If I wouldn’t be crashing?’

I wave my hand in the air. ‘Hell, I’ve been crashing since I left England; don’t worry about it.’

Even Cali let’s out a snicker, then composes herself. ‘Yes, this will be good. A bit of dancing, drinking, another go at clearing the air, even if not the tracks, am I right?’ She gives Alex a high-five. ‘I’m going to go and see if the others are in.’

‘We should eat something first,’ I call after her.

Cali’s head pops back up the staircase. ‘Roger that. Wear something festive! Or sexy! Or both!’

Alex stands. ‘Okay. On that note, I’m going to go and check up on a few things. I’ll see you in a while?’

‘Looking forward to it,’ I tell her, unable to keep the smile from my face.