Page 57 of New Beginnings on Railway Lane

The following week she would type up the many notes that Bob and Eddie had given her about the history and workings of the station and print them out, ready to be displayed alongside the memorabilia.

She hoped Bob would like his surprise birthday party in a week’s time, especially as it was going to be held in the waiting room and would finally show off all of their hard work on the new coffee shop which would hopefully be ready to be opened to the public soon afterwards.

Still undecided what to wear, she placed a couple of outfits into the larger suitcase that she had dragged out from underneath the bed.

She also added some much warmer, winter clothes as the weather had turned and the light cotton tops and trousers she had initially taken with her weren’t enough now. She remembered that she needed to include a few more pairs of jeans as well, as she had been invited out by Harriet to join her and Paddington on their walk.

Her life before Cranfield had always been very regimented, she realised. First, it had been going to the gym at the crack of dawn. Then straight on to work, where she was nearly always first in the office and then last to leave as well. Whereas before she had always prided herself on the long hours, she had found herself questioning more and more what life there had actually been in her life.

Having finished her packing, she looked around the apartment one more time. The lease was coming to an end in a couple of months. The flat had great tube links into the city and yet it was just four walls, albeit straight ones, she thought to herself with a smile.

Then she was back thinking about the walls of the station apartment, none of them at proper right angles, and found that she didn’t mind so much. It was more than just a building to the family. It held the love they all had for each other. She had only experienced a tiny taste as to how comforting that could be and had realised how much calmer she felt with each passing day.

As she locked up the apartment and headed downstairs, she passed her neighbour and tried to catch his eye as he went past, but to no avail. At one time, she had loved the anonymity of the city, how nobody knew her name or anything about her. But that wasn’t true any more, she realised, coming to an abrupt halt. She liked people knowing her name. She actually liked living in Cranfield!

However temporary her position was there, she liked feeling a part of something. Of the small group of people that lived on Railway Lane. She had a sense of belonging now and was starting to remember what having friends as well as family meant to her all those years ago.

She stood outside her block of apartments and decided that she didn’t really want to live there for too long after all. Of course, once she had found a job, she would have to move back in. But perhaps she would look out of the city centres that she thought was her natural home for her future jobs.

Of course, nowhere would have a station like Cranfield. With Bob and Eddie pottering about in the workshop in their overalls. With Harriet heading past and Paddington the dog flying in to see what biscuits were available. Libby with her sharp humour. Flora and Grams’ warm inviting farmhouse, full of good food and gentle conversation.

And Ryan. Most of all, Ryan wouldn’t be there.

She shook her head, but it was no use. She had to admit to herself that she was beginning to have feelings for him. She loved watching him cook in the kitchen each evening. The way he encouraged her to taste different foods all of which were absolutely delicious. Their conversation in front of the fire each evening.

He was a friend, that was all.

Except her heart raced a little when he smiled at her. And she felt pleased to see him whenever he was away for an hour or so.

Katy shook her head and reminded herself that she would be returning to her flat very soon and leaving everyone in Cranfield far behind. But the thought gave her no joy.

* * *

By the time she was finally back in Cranfield after her long train journey, it was growing dark and she needed to get ready for Libby’s birthday party, which was to be held at the Black Swan Inn in Cranbridge.

But instead of letting herself into the apartment, she went past the front door and onto the platform instead.

She stood there for a while, staring out over the dark landscape. A thin streak of light sky ran along the horizon for a moment before disappearing and being replaced with the first stars of the night.

She looked back at the platform, noting all the parts that needed painting, the sign that needed straightening and a good sweep of all those leaves would help.

But despite her ever lengthening to-do list, she had only one thought that kept creeping into her mind and wouldn’t let her be.

She didn’t want to leave just yet. Just a little more time, she promised herself. When a job came along, then she would move on. But for now, she was happy to be there.

She wasn’t lonely any more. Of course, she would have been lonely anywhere in the past. That was all her fault. She had cut herself off from everything, from friends and life. And love, most of all. But no more. It was time to start living again, she decided.

She saw a light switch on upstairs and knew that Ryan was home.

Home. It was that to her now, however temporary.

And so, with a smile to herself, she headed around the corner to go upstairs to the apartment. And Ryan.

31

Katy looked down at the drink she was holding. ‘This is pretty strong,’ she said, wincing.

Flora nodded after taking a sip of her own drink. ‘It’s the new cocktail menu,’ she said, before adding, ‘Wow. Definitely strong.’