Leo chuckled. “They’re a great couple. Both as eccentric as each other.”
“Whatarethey doing?” I asked staring at the screen.
“This is the start of our day chasing the 201 Thumper,” Dad said.
I turned to Leo, confused. “And what does he mean by a Thumper?”
“You’ll see,” Ryan said.
“Here she is!” Hugo called out. “In all her beauty.”
I took in Dad and Hugo’s excitement. They didn’t seem to notice the torrential weather as they laughed and cheered. Engine noise threatened to drown out their voices, as the camera cut from the two men to a long green passenger train. Dad and Hugo could hardly contain themselves as the so-called 201 Thumper rolled by. “I can’t believe Dad’s a…” I laughed. “There I was, thinking he and Hugo were old work colleagues.”
“I’ve never seen Edward so animated,” Ryan said.
Sal shook her head. “Look at the state of him.”
Dad was soaked. His hair lay flattened thanks to the rain and droplets of water dripped off the end of his nose. He carried a sodden rucksack which I didn’t doubt contained sandwiches and a flask and as he and Hugo suddenly sprang into action, I realised Ryan was right. This was not the father I was used to. “He looks so happy.” I turned to Leo. “Did you know about this?”
“Not for definite, but I had an idea. Hugo and Iarebuilding a track in his garden.”
“A railway track?”
“With its very own platform.”
“Wow! I guess that explains all the tonne bags.” I returned my attention to the screen.
“Now we’re rushing off to the coast to catch it again,” Hugo said, as the two men raced toward the station exit. “It’s going to be a Top Gear challenge,” he said, as they charged across the car park to their vehicle. “But we’ll do our best.”
The video suddenly cut to a different platform.
“Here we are,” Dad said, still smiling. “With seconds, just seconds, to spare.” The 201 Thumper could be heard in the distance and Dad’s attention was diverted when it came into view. “Whoa!” he called out, as it passed him by for a second time.
“Can I have my phone back now, please?” India said. Much to everyone else’s disappointment, she reached over and grabbed it. Ignoring our protests she shut down the video, preventing us from seeing any more footage.
“I was enjoying that,” Ryan said.
“Not as much as Dad was,” Sal said. “No wonder Mum told us all he’d taken up golf.”
“Oh, yeah,” Ryan said. “Ha! It would seem Patricia Cavendish has been telling fibs.”
I thought back to all the times Dad’s alleged new pastime had come up in conversation and realising mine and Leo’s wedding preparations hadn’t affected Mum’s neurons in the slightest, I smiled knowingly. “She does have a tell though.”
“Does she?” Ryan asked.
“Oh yes. The woman can’t lie to save her life.”
“Tell me more,” Ryan said.
“Whenever the subject of golf comes up, she gets this twitch, here.” I touched the skin underneath my right eye. “Like a tic.” I let out a laugh. “She’d never make a poker player.”
A mischievous smile spread across Ryan’s face. “Imagine the fun we can all have with this.”
Chapter 43
“Have you spoken to Mum yet?” my sister asked.
As Sal glanced out of the passenger door window and India slouched in the back, headphones on listening to music, I sat behind the wheel trying to concentrate on the road. It was a glorious summer evening and with the three of us on our way to Marianne’s to talk wedding, matron of honour, and bridesmaid dresses, the last person I wanted to think about was my mother. My feelings about her were still raw and discussing her behaviour would, no doubt, have spoiled the night ahead. “Nope,” I replied.
