A Letter to the Giftmaker - Chapter 6

Jo Vielle leaned against the corner of the second class carriage as the passengers at lunch. Soft conversation was interrupted by the soft clink of silverware. The bowls of soup sloshed gently back and forth with the rocking of the train.

While keeping an eye on the other passengers, his focus was mainly on the two teens in seats seven and eight. The pretentious Edwin, with his slicked back hair and flint-colored eyes, ate slowly and deliberately. He acted aristocratic, but it was clearly an act. There were the marks of a working class family on him.

Next to him, Harriet tugged nervously at her wide-brimmed hat. Her brown eyes darted around to the other passengers. She looked fearful that someone might find out she didn't have a ticket, even though Jo had checked their tickets himself. Perhaps she was hiding something else?

A woman raised her hand, and he quickly delivered another sachet of salt to her. With no one else needing help, he quickly returned to the corner. Edwin and Harriet were still there, both eating slowly.

Jo felt lighter than he had in weeks. How long until they were his friends? He had let them in the back entrance of the station, led them to the mail car, and finally helped Edwin escape Pauli the guard. He had done so much for them already, and he'd gladly help them more. Maybe they could hang out after his shift was over?

No, that wasn't going to happen. They were just passengers, like all the rest, ready to move on in their journey.

That night was likely going to be another one alone, and he was not looking forward to it. The dorms were dark and cold in the winter. With Christmas approaching, many of the staff had gone home or on trips, so the long brick building was even more depressing.

He sighed and his heart dropped at the thought. He stood there, numb and heavy, until lunch was over. After collecting the dishes, he returned to his corner to keep watch.

Hours passed slowly as the train chugged further into the northlands. The passengers in his carriage were quiet. They read books or played whist or stared out the windows at the snow-covered fields and hillocks of gray-green pines.

Jo's chest tightened when the train pulled away the tiny platform at Flaike. Whitbury was the next stop, only ten minutes away. He had to take a chance.

Shoulders back and chin high, he strode over to seat seven.

"Yes?" Harriet looked at him briefly, then stared down. She anxiously scratched at the back of her hand.

"You guys are getting off at Whitbury, right?" Jo asked.

Harriet nodded. "Yeah, that's where the county post-office is."

"I heard Pauli saying that one of you has a letter for the Giftmaker. A letter on wishpaper."

Harriet bit her lip, considering. She looked at Edwin.

Edwin groaned softly, then nodded. "Keep it a secret."

"Absolutely!" Jo smiled. "You can trust me."

"Thanks," Harriet said softly. She picked up her soup spoon, then paused. "Is there anything else?"

Jo took a deep breath. "Do you guys want to hang out? I mean, at Whitbury. My shift ends there, and I have Christmas Eve off and I thought we could go check out the village square or maybe–"

Harriet shook her head, cutting him off. "We need to get his letter to the post office, then back to catch the return train."

"There's only a fifteen minute water stop, so we'll need to hurry," Edwin said.

Jo's shoulders fell. "Oh. That's too bad. I'm not getting back on the train." Jo felt numb. "I'm staying at the Whitbury dorms for Christmas."

Edwin ignored him, opting to stare out the fogged window instead.

"Sounds like you can go and explore the square on your own," Harriet said, giving him a weak smile.

"It's supposedly picturesque," Jo said. "A huge tree, strands of light, cozy little shops. I thought it'd be fun to look around with... with friends."

"It sounds like it would be lovely," Harriet said, "but we really have to get back to the city."

Edwin nodded. "Neither of us have money for another ticket, or dinner, or anywhere to stay."

"That makes sense," Jo said, forcing his voice to be bright. "Maybe I'll see you again?"

"Hopefully not," Edwin muttered under his breath.

"Maybe." Harriet tried to smile, but her eyes betrayed how unlikely she thought that was.

Jo felt his mouth droop. He quickly tightened his cheeks, bringing up that faux smile he put on for the difficult passengers. "Yeah! Good luck to you. I hope everything goes smoothly."

Edwin scoffed from the window. Harriet nodded, then turned away as well.

The train whistle blew and the carriage jostled as the train slowed. They were pulling into Whitbury Station.