Page 44 of The Christmas Express
‘Do you want to get a drink?’ Ember gestures towards the other end of the train.
‘Uh . . .’ I look down into my carriage. ‘We’re switching around the sleeping arrangements because of the whole, you know, Joss refusing to be in the same space as her beloved brother. So, I’d better . . .’
‘Sure.’ She nods. ‘Well, if you change your mind, I’ll be in the bar car.’
It’s one thing inviting Ember to join us for meals, but is going for a drink with her one-on-one a little strange? How would I feel if Bryn did that with one of my exes? Speaking of . . .
‘Is Luke back?’ I call to Ember as she’s retreating. ‘Just so, you know, we can do this room switch.’
‘As far as I know. He left us about half an hour ago, said he was ready for bed.’
‘He left you and Joss? How did that go?’ Suddenly I’m more awake.
Ember nods. ‘It was interesting. It was okay. Goodnight.’
With that, she walks away, and I head to my compartment. As I’m about to enter, Joe comes out of the one next door, holding his toothbrush. ‘I’ve put my things in with Luke, and Sara’s just moved her things in with Joss. You’ve got the place to yourself tonight.’
‘Oh, great,’ I said. ‘Is Luke asleep?’
‘He’s reading.’
‘Oh. Great,’ I repeat.
Joe and I seem to have run out of conversation for tonight, so with a wave of his toothbrush, he squeezes past me and disappears to the communal bathroom at the end of the carriage.
In my compartment, I close the door and sit on my bunk, just as the train pulls away from the city of Winnipeg. Big city lights fade to suburban illuminations; Christmas lights around porches, street lamps, two-storey office buildings. I was so tired after walking around Winnipeg, but now I’m back on board, in the warm, in the quiet, my yawns have died right down.
I stand up and pace my compartment, all two steps of it, back and forth. If I were in London, and couldn’t sleep, I could go to a show, a club, a bar, an event, meet up with friends. Not that I ever really did those things spontaneously, but I could.
I guess I could do that here, a version of it at least. And Bryn maybe wouldn’t like me hanging out with Ember, but I can’t avoid her if I want to talk her out of this ridiculous idea of hers, can I?
Yes, tonight seems like a good night to have a good chat with her. And just one nightcap.
Three brandies later (who knew I liked brandy?!) and I’m still in the bar car, only Ember and I haven’t got around to discussing anything to do with Bryn. When I arrived, Ember introduced me to a lady called Gwen who she’s been sitting next to since Toronto, and who likes to talk A LOT about her backpacking adventures. It’s all interesting, though.
Then this woman called Alex came along who I recognised, and Ember knew her too. In fact, the two of them practically lit up when they saw each other, kissing each other on the cheek, and Ember, who’d been tightrope-walking between stony-faced and small smiles since the plane, was now leaning forward, grinning, laughing.
This wasn’t forced though; she was being herself. I remember this version of her really well. Cool, casual, fun but in a chilled way. Interesting.
Right now, Ember and Alex are bonding over a shared love of camping, something Gwen would relate to if she stayed awake, and something I cannot.
Ember throws her head back in a loud chuckle at something Alex just said. ‘One of my biggest dreams would be to find myself deserted on a tropical island and never have to deal with people again.’
‘Me too.’ Alex touches Ember’s arm. ‘Maybe some people.’
‘Okay, some. And I’d like to still be brought a cup of tea in the morning.’
‘Ugh, tea,’ replies Alex, making a barf face.
‘I’m telling you, a cup of tea drunk in the doorway of a tent is perfection.’
I swirl my brandy in my mouth and look towards the doorway of the bar. I am ridiculous. Luke is not about to get up from his bed and appear. And that’s fine. Totally fine.
‘So, who’s going to tell me about Bryn?’
My attention is snapped back by Alex asking a question to the three of us, except Gwen has nodded off to sleep still holding her brandy, and Alex is really only looking at Ember.
‘What do you want to know?’ Ember asks.
