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Ships in the night [complete]
http://www.the-cbb.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=8730

Author:  Nightwing [ Wed Nov 17, 2010 8:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Ships in the night [complete]

"Oh! My trunk!" And Jo Bettany stared after the departing train with a look on her face that was a comic mix of irritation and resignation. The pretty, slender young woman standing with her gave a chuckle.

"You would stand around talking, Auntie Jo! And it's my trunk too, so you needn't feel picked-upon."

"Then why didn't you attend to it, Sybs?" Jo demanded. "Oh, I know I'm meant to be in charge! I suppose I'll have to go and speak to the station-master, or somebody. Here - take this," giving her a purse, "and find yourself something to drink while I sort it out." Sybil did so, heading straight for the station café which she knew from past experience served a 'decent' pots of tea, and little cakes which had something of the French flair for baking to them. She ordered, and found an empty table; then took out her current project, a small white dress she was making for her cousin's baptismal. She enjoyed her work as her aunt's secretary, but in truth her heart was in needlework, and she still hoped her parents might come around to the idea of her taking it up professionally. In the mean time, Jo was always pleased to have company while she wrote, and in the evening the two of them often sat in companionable silence while each attended to her craft.

Sybil was quickly absorbed by the fine stitching at the neckline and failed to notice that she had gained the interest of the young man sitting at the table opposite. The young man's companion, an older gentleman, was reading the newspaper and taking no notice of him, and he felt free to stare at the beautiful redhead to his heart's content. A sigh escaped his lips, and the rustle of newspaper told him he'd given himself away.

"Don't tell me you've fallen in love again already?" The question's tone was more amused than cutting, but the young man reddened all the same.

"You'd fall in love with her yourself, Uncle Jack!" He made sure to keep his voice quiet. "Look - she could be a film star! I wonder if anyone's ever told her?"

Uncle Jack looked, and agreed with his son that the child - that's what she seemed to a man of his years! - was indeed pretty, but he also noted her firm hands and determined chin. He was fond of his nephew, despite Harry's tendency to fall in love with every pretty girl he saw, but he had no doubt that this girl would have no use for a stranger showering her with pretty speeches. "Finish your coffee," was his advice. "We don't want to miss our train; the next one doesn't leave until tomorrow, and I've know wish to be scolded by your mother over the 'phone."

He picked up his paper to continue reading where he'd left off, but his eyes were instead drawn to the tall woman entering the shop. For a moment, it was twenty years ago, and he was a young doctor, confessing his own romantic hopes to his superior... then he blinked himself back to the present. It was her, alright. She was older, more mature, but as he watched her flop herself into a chair and run her hand through her short curls he was absolutely certain.

For a moment, he wondered if he ought to go and speak to her. But what would he say? It had been years since his brother's death had forced him to leave Austria before confessing to Josephine Bettany just what she meant to him. They'd written, for a while, but the war had forced them to lose touch, as it had with so many people. That pretty girl must be her daughter; it was hard to think that anyone else might let Jo slip between their fingers the way he had. There was no point, saying anything. He buried himself further into his paper, trying not to flinch as hauntingly familiar laughter reached his ears. When his watch told him it was time to step outside to the platform, he hurried Harry out of the café with a feeling that was something like relief.

"Hey, Uncle Jack, look! She's catching the same train as us. You don't think we'll be in the same carriage, do you?"

Harry's clear voice traveled, and Jack forgot his own discomfit as the pretty redhead turned and gave his nephew a look that could have frozen the sun. But as he stepped forward to give his case to the porter, he felt a pair of eyes on him, too.

"Jack?" He knew the golden voice so well, still. He tried to keep the recognition from his face as he looked at her. "I'm sorry - you probably don't remember me. You used to work with my brother-in-law..."

"Jo." It came out as a whisper, and Jack cleared his throat and tried again. "I - is this your daughter?"

"Me?" Jo laughed. Was it just him, or was it a little shaky? "No, this is Sybil Russell. You would have met her as a baby-"

"Jem's daughter," Jack said, remembering. His eyes flicked down; he couldn't help but look. Jo wasn't wearing a ring. "Are you really going the same way as us? I'd love to hear how you've been, all these years."

"We are," Jo said. She wasn't as pale as he remembered her, but her eyes were still as black and soft as pansies. "I'd love to hear all about you, too."

There was a lull in the conversation as the train arrived, with a screech of brakes and roar of engine, giving Jack enough time to collect his thoughts. "Shall we?" he asked, as the passengers were invited aboard, offering her his arm. She took it, with a smile that still had the power to make his heart beat faster.

"Let's," she said. The started forward, leaving Harry and Sybil to follow in their wake

Author:  Finn [ Wed Nov 17, 2010 9:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ships in the night [complete]

Oh, how adorable! I thoroughly enjoyed that, Nightwing - it would make a very enjoyable drabble if you expanded it...

Author:  Alison H [ Wed Nov 17, 2010 9:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ships in the night [complete]

What Finn said :D .

Author:  jayj [ Wed Nov 17, 2010 9:06 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ships in the night [complete]

I've just melted into a small pile of slush. That was lovely!

Author:  Bryony [ Wed Nov 17, 2010 9:13 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ships in the night [complete]

Thank you that was ace!

But are you sure that's it? I'd love to see what happened next!

Author:  PaulineS [ Wed Nov 17, 2010 9:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ships in the night [complete]

You can not leave it there. Pretty please do continue.

Author:  MaryR [ Wed Nov 17, 2010 10:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ships in the night [complete]

That was delightful, Nightwing. :D

Author:  Miss Di [ Wed Nov 17, 2010 10:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ships in the night [complete]

Awwww. So lovely.

Author:  Llywela [ Thu Nov 18, 2010 6:50 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Ships in the night [complete]

Oh, wow - what an intriguing take on 'what if...'! :D

Author:  Fiona Mc [ Thu Nov 18, 2010 7:24 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Ships in the night [complete]

Really loved the what if. Thanks Nightwing

Author:  mohini [ Thu Nov 18, 2010 7:46 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Ships in the night [complete]

Oh it cannot be complete. More please

Author:  roversgirl [ Thu Nov 18, 2010 8:27 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Ships in the night [complete]

You can't leave it there! Thanks :-)

Author:  Catherine [ Thu Nov 18, 2010 10:17 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Ships in the night [complete]

That was lovely ... but please continue it.

Author:  2nd Gen Fan [ Thu Nov 18, 2010 10:25 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Ships in the night [complete]

This was so well written, hope you will consider expanding upon it.

Author:  Chatelaine [ Thu Nov 18, 2010 11:24 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Ships in the night [complete]

Lovely! I can just imagine Sybil freezing that poor young man with a look!

We don't see much of Joey in this, but what I see I like :D

Author:  Elbee [ Thu Nov 18, 2010 3:00 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ships in the night [complete]

I'm sure you didn't mean to type "complete" in the title :wink:

Thanks, Nightwing.

Author:  KathrynW [ Thu Nov 18, 2010 3:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ships in the night [complete]

Oh that was really lovely, thank you Nightwing!

Author:  Eilidh [ Thu Nov 18, 2010 4:56 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ships in the night [complete]

Thank you, but I'd love to know what happens next!

Author:  ChubbyMonkey [ Thu Nov 18, 2010 5:43 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ships in the night [complete]

Adding to the chant for more - pretty, pretty, pretty please?

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