The Train, Sarah Bourne [dark books to read .txt] 📗

She was glad he wasn’t just a ticket collector. She couldn’t imagine introducing him to her friends if he wasn’t also an artist. They all had boyfriends who were in IT or insurance.

She noticed Tim looking at his watch. Was he bored? She didn’t want him to go. ‘Fancy another drink?’ she asked. ‘Not that I’m an alcoholic or anything.’

Tim laughed. ‘Sure.’

Several beers later, Tim was talkative and Alice was falling in love. She knew it was really lust, but she wanted to be in love. She wanted to feel cherished, like the heroines in Pauline de Winter’s books. She deserved it.

‘How come you’re so wise, Mr Tim Engleby?’ she asked as he set another drink in front of her.

He raised an eyebrow.

‘All the stuff you said in the park this afternoon. I do want to be a singer. I can’t spend my whole life wiping people’s bums and looking for their false teeth.’ It was true. She didn’t think she could stand another day of it. But then, she often thought that, but when she went in, it was okay. The oldies were pleased to see her, the ones who remembered from one day to the next, anyway. And they didn’t mean to shit themselves. She just hoped she didn’t get like that when she was old.

‘Do you sing to the old folks?’

‘Yep. I learnt a few of their favourites off the music therapist who comes in once a week. It’s nice to see them smile and some of them sing along. There was this one time when an old lady who hadn’t spoken, or even looked at anyone, for months, started singing along and the nurses couldn’t believe it.’

‘I bet you’re good with them. You should be a nurse, when you’re not singing. Or be the first singing nurse.’

Alice glanced at him to make sure he wasn’t making fun of her, but she should have known he wasn’t. He wasn’t like that. He meant it. And why shouldn’t she do nursing? As a backup to her singing. She didn’t have any A levels but there must be other ways to get into nursing. Her, a nurse! What a great idea. She did like working with people, and she did have a knack with the oldies. She got her phone out to write herself a note to look into it.

‘Going to give me your number?’ asked Tim, but he didn’t look at her. They’d been getting on so well, and he’d certainly loosened up with the alcohol, which was what she’d been hoping, but as soon as it got personal again, he was as awkward as a hermit at a rave.

‘Yeah, if you like.’

Tim fumbled with his phone. ‘I’ll give you my number and you can call me and I’ll have yours,’ she said.

She watched as he keyed the numbers in, and turned away as her phone began to ring.

‘Hello?’

There was a pause, and she glanced over her shoulder. Tim looked confused, so she smiled, and talked into the phone again. ‘How are you?’

‘Good,’ he said.

‘Me too. I’m out with a fella at the moment, having a really nice time. He’s very kind, and good-looking, and I like him a lot.’

There was another pause, but this time Alice didn’t let herself look at him.

Eventually, a voice in her ear said, ‘I’m out with a pretty amazing chick. She’s a singer, or will be, but she probably has a boyfriend.’

‘No – no she doesn’t,’ said Alice. ‘She’s single and ready to meet someone.’

‘Oh.’ She didn’t let him say any more. She turned round and kissed him on the mouth and was very happy to discover he was a good kisser.

‘You know what,’ she said when they’d pulled apart. Tim had his arm round her, and she had tucked herself into him. ‘I’m glad the audition went badly. I wouldn’t have met you otherwise.’ She looked at him.

Tim smiled. ‘I’m glad I was given the afternoon off, otherwise I wouldn’t have met you.’

Minutes later, his phone rang again. Alice watched his forehead crease into worry lines as he listened. I like him, she thought. I really like him. He’s so different from Karl. Tim would never forget Valentine’s Day – he’d probably paint me a picture or something romantic like that. And he likes me, he said he was glad he met me.

She felt a warm glow.

‘I’m really sorry, but I have to go.’ Tim waved his phone at her. ‘It was Brian, the train driver. He’s in a bad way.’

Alice was annoyed. They’d been getting on so well, and now this. But his friend needed him.

After he’d gone she pulled her phone out and read his number in her contacts list. He’d really given it to her. He wanted to see her again. She smiled and texted Maddie.

Just met v sexy guy

Maddie responded immediately.

OMG! Send pics

No u’ll have 2 wait 2 meet him

Pleeeeez!!!

Can’t – don’t have one

Take 1 now!

He’s gone

?????

Had to see a friend in need