Read Abigale Hall for Free Online

we went to the dining car?’ Eliza asked, hoping he wouldn’t notice they had already been leaving. Mr Drewry glanced at the floor then at the window, touching his hand to the glass.
    â€˜Mr Drewry?’
    â€˜Suit yourselves,’ he said, keeping his gaze on the window.
    Eliza thanked him then exited the compartment with Rebecca. They had just passed the five-hour mark of their journey and Eliza’s legs were cramping, her back stiff. A headache was brewing and her stomach sent hunger pains up into her chest as her dry eyes itched. She wanted a bed – a double, no a king – where she and Rebecca could both stretch out and fall asleep and not wake for a very long time.
    Instead, she stood in the dining car, Rebecca clinging to her arm for support as she pleaded with a waiter.
    â€˜Please, sir. We didn’t realise what time the kitchen closed. We’ll take anything you have. It can be cold. I do have money. We’ll pay for anything. Please. My poor little sister is famished.’
    As they spoke, the train pulled into a station. Swansea , read the sign. On the platform was a telegram office.
    â€˜How long will our stop be?’ Eliza asked.
    â€˜At least half an hour. We’re changing engines here.’
    â€˜Rebecca, wait here.’
    â€˜Where are you—?’
    â€˜If Mr Drewry comes, tell him I went to the toilets.’
    Eliza ran out of the carriage and onto the platform.
    â€˜Please, please be open,’ she whispered to herself as she weaved her way through the crowd of disembarking passengers. The telegram office was indeed open. A bored young man waited behind the counter.
    â€˜How much to send a message to London?’ she asked, digging through her small purse.
    â€˜Six pence per ten words.’
    Eliza grabbed the form. Mr Drewry grabbed her arm. Rebecca stood outside the office, the suitcases beside her.
    â€˜I . . . I was . . .’
    â€˜We’re changing trains.’ He took the blank form from her hand and set it on the counter then pulled her from the office. Eliza looked for the young clerk, but he had disappeared.
    On the platform, Mr Drewry shoved Eliza’s suitcase towards her with his foot. It bounced against her shins. He picked up Rebecca’s case and walked to the platform opposite. Eliza took Rebecca’s hand and the other suitcase and went after him.
    As they waited in the bitter cold for the connecting train, she glanced often at the telegram office. One message, that was all Peter needed and he would come running after her. How else would he be able to find her? And who would help Mrs Hodgkins carry her shopping, or look after Mr Pendleton’s canary when he went to Blackpool? She was to meet Jessie on Saturday for tea. How long would she wait at the Corner House before deciding Eliza had abandoned her?
    There was so much left unfinished and nothing she could do as their new train pulled into the station. Only a handful of passengers climbed aboard its four coaches. They settled into an empty compartment in the last car. Mr Drewry lapsed back into silence, but Eliza could see he was keeping a closer eye on them. Once they were seated, Rebecca elbowed her. In her hand was some cold ham and bread wrapped in newspaper.
    â€˜When he saw Mr Drewry,’ she whispered, ‘he said we could have it.’
    Eliza grabbed a piece of the bread and took a bite, closing her eyes as she chewed slowly.
    â€˜God bless the waiters,’ she sighed.
    *
    Click-clack-clack .
    Eliza listened to the rhythm of the train as it carried them deeper into Wales. It was well past midnight. Usually, she would be home from work now.
    Click-clack -clack.
    Rebecca was already asleep, but Eliza fought to remain awake. She wanted to stay alert. She could sleep when they arrived.
    Click-clack-clack.
    She had to keep an eye on Mr Drewry. She had to pay attention.
    Click -clack-clack.
    She had to stay awake.
    *
    Rebecca did not scream. Even as