_Trains and Lovers_
by Alexander McCall Smith
The four individuals sharing a compartment on the train from Edinburgh to London
began talking, and before they knew it they'd shared their stories. Andrew had
fallen in love with Hermione the day they met on their first day of internship
at an art auction house. Perhaps it ought to have lasted merely for the summer
they worked together; but with the interference offered by Hermione's father it
looked as if it might not make it even that long, although Andrew was certain he
wished it to go on for the remainder of their lives.
Hugh had met Jenny on the platform of the train station where he'd accidentally
gotten off several stops early, and until they made a trip to Paris together it
looked as if he would soon ask Jenny to marry him. But in Paris an accidental
meeting with one of Jenny's old flames caused Hugh to question even Jenny's
identity.
Kay had come to Edinburgh from her home in Australia, wanting to see the land
from which her father had come, helping her to appreciate the love her parents
had come to hold for one another.
And David had come back to Scotland to revisit the places he'd visited with his
first love, a love that had remained unspoken for many, many years since he
first saw that individual back in Maine when both were teenagers.
David listens as the others speak of the love they know so well, and keeps his
own story quiet save within the privacy of his own thoughts.
A wonderful thing, a long trip by train when strangers can admit the foibles
they'd dealt with and the joys of finding the right person to love.
A quiet study of these strangers and lovers, and the nature of the love each had
experienced. Full of Smith's wonderful appreciation for human nature. I read
it in print, but find it is also available as an e-book and in audiobook format
from Audible. Recommended for those who love character studies or the writing
of Alexander McCall Smith.
Bonnie L. Sherrell
Teacher at Large
"Then do not be too eager to deal out death in judgement. For even the very
wise cannot see all ends." LOTR
"Don't go where I can't follow."
We gave the Goblin King control of our nation!
