《Black Ash》Chapter 19. A train station

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Chapter 19. A train station

Northern Ireland Railways offer regular service between Portrush and Belfast. The journey takes about two hours, and the train arrives at Central Station, a short bus ride to Queen’s University. Come September and the start of the college term, Cara would make the journey regularly. This time, the trip was an escape from an unknown pursuer. She had friends living in Belfast and could hide out there.

The station was crowded when Cara arrived with her mother and Aunt Jane at her side. Families made their way to the exit from a recently arrived train. Children in T-shirts and short pants screamed and ran ahead of their parents, eager to get to Barry's amusement park, which is situated just outside the station. It was always a favorite with kids and a trip down memory lane for their parents.

Cara carried a small backpack, enough for a few days away from home. She needed to get away until the police determined why Trevor Smith had wrecked their home and what the connection was to the attack on Jim.

Oblivious to the smiling faces all around, she weaved her way through the crowd and made straight for the ticket office. She bought a one-way ticket for the 2:45 PM Belfast departure. Her mother watched, still in disbelief, her eyes red, her world, that had been on the brink, tumbling down into darkness.

Cara had explained as much as she could. She said she feared for her safety. She could not name the threat, but she had to leave and draw it away from her mother and those she loved. She warned her mother to be wary of strangers. Above all, she instructed her not to tell anyone where she was going.

Aunt Jane seemed to accept her plan. She did not demand details or try to dissuade. She asked once in private if it was about the box. Cara answered ‘yes.’ As they walked toward the platform, Jane stuffed three tightly folded fifty-pound notes into Cara's hand.

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At the train, Cara hugged her aunt and then turned to her mother. As they embraced, her mother started crying and gripped Cara tightly, as if she was setting out on a long and dangerous journey. A loudspeaker, sharp and intrusive, announced the train's departure. Cara looked to aunt Jane, who stepped forward, and gently took her sister by the shoulders, and eased her out of the bear hug she had on Cara.

Sitting by a window, Cara looked back at her aunt and mother. She prayed for a quick return to normality and to family.

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