The Recipe Box
Carrie Luscombe stood on the platform of a tiny, rural station, juggling to carry a grip, a handbag and a brown paper carrier all at once.
'Could you tell me where the nearest Taxi Rank is, please?' she called to the dapper stationmaster as he finished blowing his whistle, sending the rumbling carriages on their way.
'That's a bit grand!, he replied, his weather beaten face breaking into a smile. 'There's only one taxi in the village. Come into the office, while I 'phone', and he opened the door with a flourish. 'You going far?', he continued, picking up the receiver, as Carrie perched on a bentwood chair.
'Not very. I need to go to Uphill Lane - Primrose Cottage.'
He dialled a short sequence of numbers on the antiquated 'phone.
'Hello, Ted? Got a young lady here needing a taxi to Uphill...a huh...yes...see you in a bit, then...bye! That Prue Luscombe's house?' he continued, turning back to her and Carrie nodded.
'Yes. She was my Aunt...'
'My goodness me, then you must be young Carrie, all grown up! I do declare! I remember you coming to stay with Pru when you were knee high to a grasshopper.'
'Really? Then you must be...wait a minute, I've got it! Bill Purkiss, the porter. Sorry, Stationmaster, now I see!'
'Fancy you remembering... Well, well, well!', and he chuckled, secretly pleased.
'I'd hardly be likely to forget,' laughed Carrie. She'd last seen Bill as a young lad, pushing a trolley piled high with teetering suitcases on that far off summer day that had brought a drove of eager holiday makers pouring onto the station. He'd wobbled a bit and the cases had avalanched to the ground. Aunt had said, 'Quickly, Carrie. Let's give Bill a helping hand'. They'd laughed over the incident at the time, as they all three huffed and puffed the luggage back into position, as well as giggling any time they remenisced.
'Sounds like the car already,' said Carrie as a horn blared. Bill hoisted up her bags and hurried to put them in the boot.
'Thanks', she added, clambering into the cab. 'See you again soon, Bill' and she waved to him through the window as they got underway.
To be continued...
your writing is easy and pleasing to read.
ReplyDeleteHi there Jinksy.
ReplyDeleteLove the story so far... look forward to some more.
Sorry , I didn't know you were an award-free zone. Anyway, even if you don't show it off, it is sent to you with love.
Love Granny
Yippee! We all loves us a story!
ReplyDeleteOh, a possible romance? A return to discover what? I can't wait...
ReplyDeleteHi Jinksy, You inspire me. I've given you the literary, Premios Dardo award at my bloggie event...drop by and pick it up! Many congratulations!~Janine XO
ReplyDeleteP.S. You don't have to accept it if you don't want to clutter your beautiful workspace..I totally understand...just wanted you to know how much I think of your work!!!! ~Janine XO
ReplyDeleteOoooer is there a ghost? I love ghost stories! Or romance? Even better. Will tune in tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteGranny on the Web and Sniffles and Smiles - you are both too kind! But I refer you to the sentence immediately below 'Post a Comment'... I am trying to spare people's feelings by forewarning them, but I can't stop the love flowing! The awards dangle round my neck in ever growing numbers...
ReplyDeleteYou got it! As I said...you don't have to accept...just wanted you to know that you are loved, appreciated, and that I love your poetry!!!~Janine XO
ReplyDeleteBTW...I love this opener...can't wait to find out what happens...Carrie seems like such a nice person! And Bill is truly a gentleman.
ReplyDeleteWaiting to hear another installment or chapter of this story.
ReplyDeleteDo like I do, when getting an award, I post it, refer to who sent it to me, and then tell whoever wants to post on theirs is welcome to. Otherwise it can be very time consuming (at least for me since I'm not speedy at this computer thing)linking five or six people to the post and their blogs.
I'll be waiting to hear more.
N.B. to Sniffles and Smiles: When someone is such a nice person and someone else is truly a gentleman, nothing good will ensue.
ReplyDeleteEither that, or jinksy is attempting to fill the void left by Barbara Cartland....
ReplyDeleteLove coming by here and reading - always makes me smile or think or smile - did I say smile?
ReplyDeleteApologies for missing your note on award etc. (as above this box)Getting so blaise' these days and just going to the box itself, and by-passing words in my rush to get here. Might be better if it was on your blog side-bar, I don't know about others but I seem to notice these more. Just a thought!
ReplyDeleteLove Granny
Loving these characters...off for part 2.
ReplyDelete