Page 13 - The Spirit of Christmas 1940
P. 13

The Spirit of Christmas 1940


           my little deals from.  He would just charge people over the odds
           just so he could line his own pocket.  It’s not so much that I’m
           scared of getting caught, I just don’t want that old bugger ripping
           people off.”

             Rose smiled and slipped the package on the shelf below her cart.
           She picked up a small red rose and put it into the button hole of
           Jimmy’s coat and gave him a little kiss on the cheek. “Thank you.”

             Jimmy turned a deep red as he blushed uncontrollably.  It was if
           all of his emotions had just been whisked up in the mixing bowl of
           his head and he was suddenly and completely at Rose’s mercy.

             His embarrassment was suddenly interupted by the shriek of
           another arriving train.  As normal, Jimmy looked across to make
           sure he wasn’t going to shout out at an awkward moment.  His
           eyes caught the solitary soldier as he walked over to to a woman
           waiting for the train.  The soldier walked behind the woman and
           embraced her.  The waiting woman didn’t flinch.  It was if she
           knew he was about to join her or that she was so wrapped up in
           the moment, she didn’t notice him.


             As the train came to a stop, passengers poured out into the
           station.  Within a few minutes, the platform was empty except for
           a few staff, the woman and the soldier.  The woman bowed her
           head, turn away from the soldier and walked away leaving the
           soldier standing there on his own.  He walked over to a nearby
           bench seat, sat down and leant forward as if he was weeping.

            “That was strange, did you see that, Rosie?”


            “I did.  It did seem a little odd.  I expect there was perfectly
           reasonable explanation for it though.  It’s not a good idea to
           second guess these things.”


            “Yeah, I know that but who is he?  Why does he keep coming to
           this station? And who was that woman?  It don’t make sense to
           me.  Maybe he’s a spy, maybe he’s getting information from that
           woman.  All seems a bit iffy to me.”
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