Reassured, he waved them along the train. “Let’s go—but no running!” He only just remembered the injunction in time.
The boys hurried along, and he kept pace, using the opportunity to scan the other passengers now milling on the platform and boarding the train. Although he’d convinced himself that it wasn’t Heinrik he’d glimpsed in the park, the false sighting had left him unsettled and feeling as if he needed to be looking in every direction at once.
On top of that, the boys’ curiosity had overcome any reserve they might have had over accosting the porters and other railway staff they came across, asking about the station, the train, and the engine and about what each man did, the role each played.
By the time they reached the engine, quietly puffing at the head of the train, Toby was feeling more frazzled and harassed than he ever had and decidedly on edge to boot.
This is how my siblings and cousins must feel when traveling with their children.
He’d frequently poked fun at them and teased them, too, but he never would again. Guarding and guiding children was hard work, a fact he hadn’t truly appreciated until now.
He might be a pretend papa, yet still, the responsibility was there, very much a weight on his shoulders.
He realized that Diana would feel the same and wondered at that.
Naturally, Roland and Bryce were keen to speak with the driver and his assistants, but they weren’t the only young boys traveling that day. A small group had gathered about the driver, who stood on the platform in his long dust coat and gauntlets, with goggles perched on his head; flanked by two assistants, he was answering eager questions right and left.
Roland and Bryce joined the small circle.
Toby stood back and used the moment to scan the crowd of arriving passengers.
No one stood out. No glimpse set any alarm bells ringing.
Regardless, his instincts remained raised like a hound’s hackles.
Finally, someone inside the engine house blew a long, loud blast on the whistle, and the driver called an end to the questions and recommended all the boys race back to their seats.
Toby was waiting to race with the boys—this time, more or less running, given they had to get to the far end of the train.
They made it just in time, and Toby followed the pair as they scrambled on board. The instant he’d gained the carriage floor, a grinning conductor slammed the door shut, then pulled out a flag, blew a blast on his whistle, and signaled up the train.
The engine engaged, and the train jerked, then slowly started rolling. The boys staggered into their compartment, followed by Toby, and the three of them collapsed on the bench.
Diana appeared at the connecting door. Relief was in her eyes, but she laughed at the sight of them. “We wondered if you would make it back in time.”
Toby sat up. “Only just.” He looked at the boys. Their faces were shining with satisfaction. “Did the driver and his engine live up to your expectations?”
“Oh yes!” Roland’s eyes lit.
“It was so big!” Bryce added.
“Well,” Diana said, swaying in the doorway as the train gathered pace, “if you would care to join us, we’re about to open the lunch hamper.”
The boys cheered, leapt to their feet, and followed Diana into the other compartment.
Toby remained where he was and told himself they were safely away and he could, therefore, relax, at least for a little while.
The trouble was, some part of him adamantly refused to believe that.
After a moment, he heaved a sigh, rose, and went to see what the hotel had given them to eat.
* * *
After discussing their options,that evening, Diana and Toby elected to take the children to the dining car for the early sitting for dinner. Helga was happy to remain with Bruno and go to the late sitting that catered to the staff of first-class passengers.
The first-class dining car was the third carriage from their end of the train, beyond the other first-class sleeper carriage and before the two first-class carriages that were seating only.
With Toby at her back, Diana ushered the round-eyed children through the swinging half-glazed door and into the dining car, where they were immediately greeted by a headwaiter garbed in severe black-and-white.
