The Passions of Bronwyn by Martina Martyn

everyone which helped them keep a bit warmer. The train started moving with a jolt that knocked Betty off her feet.  She landed on the seat in a heap with her skirt up around her waist.  The others in the carriage burst out laughing as she sat up red faced and straightened her skirt.  ‘Shut up you lot,’ she exclaimed.  ‘It’s not funny.’  ‘It is where we’re sitting,’ laughed Wyn. 
    They settled down and watched the passing scenery with interest.  The train went through several tunnels which made Betty give a small scream as it took her by surprise when the carriage suddenly went dark.  Wyn jumped when she felt a hand touch her breast until she realised that it was William making good use of the darkness of the tunnel.  After they had been travelling for about two hours, Mrs Brompton looked in through the door and told them to go to the restaurant car to get some lunch.  ‘I don’t want to sit in there by myself,’ she told them.  ‘Catherine refuses to come with me so I would be very happy if you all would join me.’  They all stood up and followed her willingly along the corridor until they entered the restaurant car.  It had plush purple upholstered seats and there were vases of flowers on each table.  When Mrs Brompton had been seated at one of the tables she asked Mrs Davis to sit with her as she didn’t want to dine alone.  Wyn, Betty, William and Ned were then shown to another table.  There was no choice of food but none of them cared what they ate, it was something they had never had the opportunity of doing before and they were determined to make the most of it.  After they had all eaten they went happily back to their carriage.  William and Ned then promptly fell asleep.  Wyn looked over at them.  ‘Typical,’ she said to Betty.    They were travelling through sparsely populated countryside with few stations.  They entered a very long tunnel and Wyn felt William sit down next to her.  He turned her face towards him and gave her a long lingering kiss.  ‘Oh Wyn,’ he whispered, ‘I do want to be with you.’  They suddenly came out of the tunnel and Wyn wasn’t surprised to see Betty and Ned kissing passionately on the other seat.  Wyn cleared her throat very loudly and Betty and Ned jumped apart. Betty’s face went very red and she looked embarrassed.  Wyn and William just grinned at each other and looked innocent.  When they next looked out of the window they were going past a very large factory.  ‘What do you suppose they make in there?’ asked Betty. 
    ‘I can see a sign on the side that says Huntley and Palmers Biscuit Factory.  Looks like a grim place to work,’ William said, ‘I’m glad I don’t work somewhere like that, it’s alright working for Mrs Brompton.’  
    ‘I wouldn’t like to work in a place like that neither,’ agreed Wyn, ‘I’m quite happy where I am.’ 
    They were entering a more densely populated area so they knew they would soon be arriving at Waterloo Station.  They were covered in a light film of soot by the time the train stopped and it gave them all a laugh. They found carriages waiting for them and were happy once they and all the baggage were on them.
    When they finally arrived at the house they were all exhausted. 
    ‘What a journey,’ remarked Wyn. 
    ‘Oh I don’t know, it had it’s interesting bits,’ William replied with a smile.
    Mr Carter and Mrs Danvers were there to greet them.  As William started taking Catherine and Mrs Brompton’s chests up to their rooms, Mr Carter stopped him. 
    ‘Leave Miss Catherine’s chest down here, her aunt will be here in the morning to take her to Surrey.  She has to make do with any clothes left behind in her room.’ 
    He turned to all of them, ‘I know you are all very tired, but you’re to take your things to your rooms and get changed into your uniforms.  When you have done that you are all to gather in the drawing room as Mrs Brompton wants to talk