The CBB :: View topic - On the train

#1: On the train Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England

Posted: Sat Apr 09, 2005 4:56 pm

This drabble is the result of a collaboration with Startlepop Windcharger - to whom are due many thanks for all contributions and general shininess!

The train pulled out of Edinburgh station and there was a general rustle as passengers settled into their seats, unfolded newspapers, and arranged their belongings.

The irritating tchska tchska tchska of a personal stereo being played too loud could be heard above the clickity-clack of the train.

In a window seat, ignoring the others nearby, a student had her head down and was writing furiously, obviously working very hard, managing to tune out the sound of “It’s me, I’m on my mobile on the train” coming from behind her.

Other passengers gazed out at the passing countryside, thinking what a lovely sunny day it was, wondering how late the train would be by the time they got to their destination.

A sound broke into their thoughts.

“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for travelling with the Stranded-in-Scotland Railway network. I would like to inform you that the buffet car is now open and serving hot and cold drinks and snacks. The buffet car is situated towards the rear of the train, next to the first class carriage and has a range of hot and cold drinks and snacks. Thank you.” At least that was what it said for those who could understand the accent and tannoy distortion.

There was a slight bustle as some people started to move and others discussed whether to go now, or wait until the initial rush had subsided. Others completely ignored the announcement and produced their own cans of drink and snacks, brought for a fraction of the price they would cost in the buffet car.

Again the carriage settled into the relative peace of a train journey, then it was disrupted again by a cry of “Mum his elbow is sticking into me.”

“She’s leaning on my seat rest.”

“It’s not your seat rest, it’s my seat rest.”

A collective sigh went around the carriage, and various travellers thought assorted thoughts about children and discipline. Those who could see the student envied her ability to focus on her work and tune out the disturbance, as she continued to write, oblivious to everything around her.

Peace was eventually restored when the children were given drinks laden with E-numbers and subsided into their seats.

So suddenly, that it startled everyone in the carriage, and so loudly that even the youth with the tchska tchska tchska damaging his hearing took notice, the student gave a wild yell of joy and excitement and leapt to her feet with a “Squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!”

“Robert and Vi have kissed! It’s all so fabbity and bon!” she proclaimed in a voice that brought passengers hurrying from carriages on either side to find out what had happened.

“Who’s Robert?” asked the businessman sitting the other side of the aisle.

“Who’s Vi?” asked somebody else.

“Tell us everything,” demanded an elderly lady nearby. “Start at the beginning and explain it all.”

“But wait!” exclaimed somebody who watched Friends “firstly does this end well, or shall I get some tissues?”

Pim, for yes gentle readers, it was she, tried to answer all the questions as they were thrown at her.

“Robert is Abby’s Dad, Vi is Vi Lucy, and it ends very well.”

“Who’s Abby?” asked tchska tchska tchska-youth, interested despite himself.

“Who’s Vi Lucy?” asked one of the passengers from the next carriage, crammed into the aisle.

“I know who Vi Lucy is!” proclaimed the girl with the elbow, ignoring her mothers orders to be quiet and producing a book from her bag. “She’s in my book.” And she waved the book, which even at the distance of half a carriage Pim-the-experienced recognised as a hardback of Mary-Lou of the Chalet School.

“You don’t know anything,” muttered her brother, giving her a poke

That’s right,” smiled Pim, “Robert was Mary-Lou’s husband, but Mary-Lou died. It was vair tragique.”

“I don’t like people dying. I don’t want to read the book if she dies!” exclaimed the girl, looking like she would burst into tears.

Pim seized her opportunity – she might never get another one like this – “If you don’t want the book any more, would you like me to take it?”

The book was passed down the carriage. “Please be careful not to tear the dustwrapper!” wibbled Pim as somebody nearly dropped it.

Soon the book was safely in Pim’s hands and she gazed at it luffingly. All thoughts of explaining about Robert and Vi went out of her head and she gave *le happy sigh*. It no longer mattered that they had been sitting near Lockerbie for three days. It didn’t matter how long it took to get home. She settled back into her seat, saying “read the CBB if you want to know more,” and spurning any further questions, opened the book and started to read.

The End

#2: Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!!

Posted: Sat Apr 09, 2005 5:01 pm

Thanks Liz that was brilliant!!!

(and lucky Pim with the shiny book) Wink

#3: Author: Kat, Location: Swansea

Posted: Sat Apr 09, 2005 5:02 pm

Yay Pimmy!!!

Thanks Liz Very Happy

#4: Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent

Posted: Sat Apr 09, 2005 5:05 pm

Oh lovely - love the name of the Railway! Lucky Pim! Laughing

#5: Author: Cath, Location: Cornwall

Posted: Sat Apr 09, 2005 5:21 pm

Thanks Liz, that was excellent! Vair lucky Pim!

#6: Author: pim, Location: the Derbyshire wilderness

Posted: Sat Apr 09, 2005 7:25 pm

Oh my...

and some

for good measure. You are both very norty!!!!! I shall be having words later.

But I shall suggest that Virgin Trains changes its name now Wink

And dammit, I want that book in RL now...

Thank you Liz - that's cheered up my day no end though Very Happy

#7: Author: nikkie, Location: Cumbria

Posted: Sat Apr 09, 2005 7:37 pm

Love it

the train name is perfect!
Wouldn't it be wonderful if that was real life Smile

#8: Author: JackieJ, Location: Kingston upon Hull

Posted: Sat Apr 09, 2005 8:41 pm

Thanks Liz, that was vair funny.

JackieJ

#9: Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England

Posted: Sat Apr 09, 2005 9:25 pm

That was great, thanks Liz, what a wonderful way to get a book.

#10: Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US

Posted: Sun Apr 10, 2005 2:57 am

Love Pim's excitement. Such a strategem, though! Didn't poor little-girl-on-the-train hear the part about it ending well?
ROFL

But who on earth is Startlepop Windcharger - a new bunny?
And what's this child-quelling E-number?

#11: Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England

Posted: Sun Apr 10, 2005 8:56 am

Kathy_S wrote:

But who on earth is Startlepop Windcharger - a new bunny?
And what's this child-quelling E-number?

Startlepop Windcharger (who should get the credit for the trainline name) was the name my collaborator asked to be acknowledged by.

I don't think the E-numbers were child-quelling, or only temporarily while they were drinking, I'm sure they'd have had a later much more unquelling effect!

Liz

#12: Author: Liane, Location: Manchester England

Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2005 8:23 am

Vair funny!

#13: Author: Nicci, Location: UK

Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2005 1:37 pm

Wonderful. That's put a smile on my face!

#14: Author: Gem, Location: Saltash/Aberystwyth

Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2005 10:08 am

LOL! How on earth did I miss this??

Brilliant, Liz (and Startlepop Wink

)!!

#15: Author: Helen P, Location: Cheshire

Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2005 11:13 pm

Fantastic! Very Happy

Thanks Liz, and Startlepop Windcharger too!

#16: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Wed May 04, 2005 10:43 am

Thank you Liz for a very funny drabble.

The CBB -> St Clare's House

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