by Olivia Swift
“Show them the pictures,” Magda said and the tablet was passed around to everyone.
“Can it go around behind the café where the climbing wall is and come out of the other side?” Mikey asked. Miles nodded and said he was pretty sure there was enough track. Declan looked at the picture and then passed it to Merle with a raised eyebrow. She got the message, looked hard at the screen and laid her fingertip on the picture.
“Where do you keep this engine and track?” she asked.
“It’s at the workshop where we have the model railway system. It stays behind the model buildings out of sight.” Jeff stepped into the group and answered the question.
“Is there a problem?” Miles asked and his smile faded.
Katie looked at Declan. “Did you see something?”
He nodded. “Jeff’s Labrador, I think. Very faint but definitely there,” Declan said and Merle agreed.
“What?” Jeff exclaimed and took the tablet. “Where?”
“See if you can spot it for yourself,” Merle advised. “Not everyone can pick up on these things.” Jeff stared hard at the screen and looked a bit despondent when he didn’t see his beloved dog.
“You won’t see an actual picture - more a sort of part of a faint outline.” Declan told him. “Look in front of the engine.” The man looked again. Then he drew in a sharp breath and looked at Declan. “What do you see?” Declan asked. Jeff looked again.
“Just the head and shoulders and it almost looks like a pattern in the background.”
Declan nodded. “That is right,” he said. Merle agreed.
“I’m absolutely blown away,” Jeff told them.
“Well, be blown away on a chair at the table. This all needs to be eaten.” Alison hustled them to the table, and everyone found a seat. Branna and Gina served for Alison, who produced a homemade soup and a full Christmas dinner with turkey and all of the trimmings. The table was groaning with the weight of the food. Webster carved for her and Alison finally sat down herself to eat.
“It’s ages since I cooked for a lot of people. Thank you all for coming,” she said. They were full to the top even before the Christmas pudding or other desserts were offered along with wines of various sorts and a sparkling wine to finish off.
Webster offered to make coffee for those that wanted it as they sank into armchairs unable to move.
“That was unbelievably good, Alison,” Rula said. “Next year at our new house.”
“What actually happened with the house and the strange noises?” Miles asked. “Jeff told me some of it.” They glanced at each other. He gave that wide grin. “Okay. I am not freaked out by Jeff’s Labrador. Molly was a good girl. We all miss her. If she appears one day, I would like to see her.”
They let Merle and Declan take the lead and then everybody joined in as well because they kept missing bits. Zak and Jemima also joined and talked about the times they had heard the noises.
“So, you did actually get the girl, her mom and the dog all together and happy again? That is marvelous.”
“Thing is,” Jeff added. “The noises were caused by humans and not very nice ones at that.” He looked at his pal. “You know that miserable security guard on the trains - sorry Jemima, I know he is your nephew.”
“The happy elf?” Miles asked and Jeff nodded.
“He wanted to buy the house for a song and we are pretty sure he was using the barn to hide whatever it was they took away - money probably,” Zak said. “They are not so silly because there were no clues for the police.”
“One other thing that I might just put out there,” Merle remarked. “I think Molly is wanting to tell you something. I felt a sort of worry when I touched the picture.”
There was a brief silence.
“We already had one dog warning, trying to help Jemima,” Rula said. “That turned out to be right.”
“The cats are still showing me Christmas things, elves and Santas,” Magda added and then had to explain her psychic cat to Miles.
“Oh dear! Jezebelle will be furious I haven’t let her out,” Alison said and went to let the black cat out of the bedroom. “I was frightened she might get out of the front door as people arrived.”
Jezebelle walked past Alison with a disdainful look. She stalked to Magda and climbed on her knee.
“Oh dear. I am definitely not popular,” Alison said.
“Hiya Jezebelle,” Miles called. “You are very beautiful.”
The cat actually purred as she looked at the man.
“By heavens, you are honored,” Magda told him. Then Jezebelle leapt from her position on Magda’s knees, straight over the two people in between and landed on Miles.
“I love cats,” he said and held a hand to stroke her. Jezebelle was having none of it. She left his knee, headed for the coffee table and knocked his tablet straight onto the floor.
“You bad cat!” Alison started but Magda jumped up and retrieved the machine from the floor. She looked at the screen.
15
“It’s your model railway building,” Magda said and handed back the tablet. “The outside of it.” They all looked at the picture. Jezebelle went back to Miles and climbed on his knee.
“You are very special, Miles,” Alison told him. “She doesn’t even like me to pick her up.”
“And she’s one smart cookie,” Magda said.
Magda pulled out her cell phone and tapped the screen. Sam laughed.
“Magda has a new toy. She can check on the cats from her phone.”
“I am thinking about that for security,” Declan added. “How good is it, Magda?”
She laughed and handed him the device. He laughed as well and passed it on. Crystal was sitting on the sofa and staring directly at the camera.
“How does she know it’s there?” Rula asked.
“And how does she know we are watching her?” Katie added.
“Love the spiral staircase and the cat ornaments,” Miles said as he passed it back. “How many have you got?”
“Spiral staircase? Just the one,” Sam answered. “Cats - four.”
“The black and white ones were dumped on the doorstep,” Katie added. “Declan has the third one.”
“Got three myself,” Miles admitted. “That maybe does explain why Jezebelle comes to me.”
“Ye gods,” Branston exclaimed. “Is everybody cat crazy here?”
“Nope,” Jeff said. “I’m a dog man.”
“Me too. Don’t know why we don’t have one around the ranch,” Branston remarked.
“Crystal has stepped down now,” Magda said. Then she sighed in exasperation. “She’s pulled out those two stuffed dogs that she already destuffed.”
“But,” Merle took the phone. “She is telling you something about a dog and Beth’s little one has gone now.”
They all looked at Merle.
“Can something be wrong?” Gina queried.
“At the rail depot?” Bart added. Jeff and Miles were both worried by this time.
“I’ll swing by on the way home,” Jeff said.
“I’ll come with you,” Miles offered, and Bart asked if he could come as well. Jeff told him that any photos inside the depot were not to be published. Bart nodded and agreed.
“It has taken just so long and so much hard work to make it what it is, that any vandalism would be disastrous,” Miles observed. “We are so careful about publicity.”
“Cross my heart,” Bart grinned.
“This has been a wonderful evening and the meal was fantastic,” Jeff told Alison. Miles added his thanks and handed Jezebelle to Magda to keep safe as they opened the front door. The black cat was not overjoyed at being put back in the bedroom. Bart gave Gina a quick kiss and said he would message later. The three men left to check out the model railway building.
Magda and Rula started to clear up but Alison told them that the dishwasher would handle it. Gina and Branna were there to help as well and they agreed it had been a wonderful housewarming and Chris
tmas gathering.
“You are still coming to our place for Christmas Day, aren’t you?” Magda asked.
“Yes, please,” Alison said and hugged her niece by marriage. “This place will be so empty when these two are back in Ireland.” Branna came and joined the hug and in the end, they all hugged each other, found jackets and keys and set off for home.
“Alison has agreed to come to visit with us for Boxing Day,” Webster joined in.
“What a Christmas I am going to have. I feel like I am really home. Thanks everybody!” Alison told them.
“Don’t forget the big dance a week from Saturday,” Merle told them.
“A real Christmas hoedown in a barn. I can’t wait,” Branna answered. “Next Christmas, we might be able to copy it, but in Ireland.”
They thanked Alison over and over as they said their goodbyes.
“Oh, I am so glad that was a success for Alison,” Magda said as she sat back in the car. “Did you notice how Declan was right in there when he thought Miles liked Katie?”
“She did look pretty sensational,” Sam answered and was given a punch on the arm.
“Can you give him a nudge to ask her out on a date?”
“Don’t get me involved in your matchmaking. If it happens, it happens.”
“But a little help wouldn’t hurt. I know she likes him. They get on so well with the artwork. He is always ready to make picture frames and things.”
“Talking of pictures, what about railroad ones to go in the shop?” Sam diverted her from the matchmaking but he knew she hadn’t given up.
“What about the outdoor railway to rent? That was a great idea,” Magda said. “Mikey obviously wanted it to go where they could see it from the climbing wall.”
“Miles setting it up sold it for me,” Sam grinned. “You know you always get your way. I am sure those cats help you with their cell phones and hints.”
“Well, let’s go in and see what they have done this time.”
The cats were asleep or pretending to be but woke suddenly when Magda opened a can of sardines. The stuffed dogs were out on the floor but there was no other sign of activity. Magda picked them up and put them in the kitchen. Crystal looked at her purse and the cell phone rang.
Magda listened to Bart who told her that all was quiet at the railroad depot. Nothing disturbed and nobody about.
“I can see why he doesn’t want publicity. If it was damaged it would cause them untold work to repair. It’s fabulous though. He let me take some photos.”
The humans and the cats settled for the night.
The morning light trickled fingers across her face and Magda turned to Sam and said that she didn’t want to get up.
“It was a great night, but work is just not appealing today.”
Sam kissed the back of her neck as she felt his arms around her.
“Nothing beats waking up every day with the man of my dreams,” she smiled.
“I’ll make you breakfast in bed - just this once,” he said. She watched the tall, lean figure pull on a robe. She snuggled down under the duvet and found that Crystal was pushing her way in there as well.
“Come on then,” Magda said and then felt something a bit strange and jumped. “Crystal, you little pest. You’ve got that chewed-up dog toy in here with you.” She was about to throw it out of the bed when she saw the unblinking look in those blue eyes and sighed.
“I know you are trying to tell me something, but I just do not know what it is. I will keep a look out.” She took the Birman in her arms and they were snuggled up warm and cozy when Sam returned with cups of coffee and warm croissants.
“Mmm. Thank you, Sam. What on earth could madam here be telling us about dogs?” She held up the mangled stuffed toy.
“Goodness only knows,” he answered. “How big do you think that outdoor engine will be? We would have to leave a space for customers or some of them might get run down.”
“I hadn’t thought of that. Maybe we can head over and see it.”
“Declan and I are not working today and tomorrow - having a long weekend because we finished the extension we were building. I can help in the café if you like and maybe work out where this train will go.”
“Coffee and croissants in bed and help at the café. What more could a girl want?” He grinned and claimed a kiss. Crystal walked away in disgust.
The café opened as usual with Sam as an extra pair of hands. While it was quiet, he walked around the café finding Mikey who had come to look at the same time.
“My climbers will love this as well. Imagine sitting on the top of the wall and watching the engine chugging by.”
“Rather have my feet on the ground,” Sam told him. He used his feet to pace out the distance and whether the rails could turn in a small space to avoid running down the customers. “I’ll give Jeff a call and see if we can view the engine and tracks.”
Jeff said that Miles was already at the depot and just to go down. Mikey was curious about the place and wanted to go along as well. Magda grabbed her jacket and purse and left the girls to serve as the guys walked in to see if she wanted to tag along.
“Call Declan and see if he is close by,” Sam told her as he drove. “I would like to know if he can see anything.” They arrived at the depot and rang the entrance bell. Miles let them in.
“Declan is on his way as well,” Magda said and realized that the two men were standing open-mouthed at the vision of a whole cityscape and countryside laid out in front of them. “It’s amazing isn’t it?” she finished, as the others walked around gazing at the detail. It wasn’t just the buildings and background, there were scale model people, working traffic signals and vehicles on the streets.
“The detail on the buildings is unique,” Mikey said. “I recognize some of them.”
“Some are copied from real life and others are made up,” Miles said and then went to let Declan in. The amazement happened all over again. Declan was intrigued at how the buildings were made. It was absolutely fascinating. Miles switched everything off and on and showed them how he could control everything from one computer. It all came to life like a miniature world.
“I can see why you are so protective,” Mikey said. “What about this outdoor engine?”
Miles led the way around the miniature landscape and suddenly it was simply a large commercial building. The back of the cityscape was a tall, wooden board with lots of wires going in and out as needed. There was no hint of the scene on the other side and then suddenly, the visitors jumped as a train arrived at the depot with a lot of noise.
“That is the downside. The place does not cost a lot to rent but we do have the noise of the trains and at busy times, the trucks and the people traveling by rail as well.” He pointed further down the space. “The pieces are down here.”
They moved down and saw the engine, coaches and boxes of track stacked neatly against the wall. Miles switched on a light and they began to open some and get a better idea.
“Oh, it’s so real,” Magda exclaimed. “It’s beautiful. Why don’t you use it?”
“Nowhere to do it,” Miles said. “It’s too big to go in here.”
The engine was a really old-fashioned copy of the ones that pioneered the west. It was about two feet high and at least three feet long.
“It’s very heavy. Once on the track it is pretty steady,” Miles said and Mikey and Sam lifted it to test. The coaches were the old type as well. They were made of wood and not smooth and sleek like a modern version. There were open trucks for goods and closed trucks for transporting other goods and a guard’s van at the back complete with a lookout platform.
Mikey and Sam were asking about the turning circle needed to make the train return the way it had come.
“We want to leave space for customers to be safe,” Sam said and Miles laid out some pieces of track on the floor.
“I’ll have to bring the truck to take it all to the café,” Sam said and noticed that Declan was quiet. “Did you spot
something?” he asked. Declan nodded and pointed to the space beside the outside wall.
“Jeff’s Labrador is there and she is agitated. I can’t tell why but she’s not happy. She’s trying to show me something but I can’t tell what it is.”
Another train arrived noisily into the station.
“Maybe it’s just the trains she doesn’t like,” Magda suggested. Declan shook his head.
“She wants us to leave this spot.” He walked back the way they had come and kept an eye on what he could see. “She wants us to go back around the other side.” They all did, and he nodded. “That has settled her down.”
“I think we need a quick meeting with Merle here to see if there is something wrong.” She looked around. “I know it’s crazy, but the cats have been telling me to take notice of something to do with dogs.”
“I’ll call Jeff and see if it is possible,” Miles said.
Magda called Merle.
“I’ve only got tonight,” Merle said.
16
Sam said, if he came down in the truck, they could take the engine and track away at the same time. Jeff agreed that it would be okay and they agreed to meet at seven o’clock. After another walk around the wonderful miniature world, they set off back to work and saw how busy the depot was outside of the building. Magda called everyone to see if they could make it at seven in the evening.
“The train is marvelous. It will be a real conversation maker,” Magda told the girls. “Sam says he can bring it back tonight after the séance.”
Declan, Mikey and Sam were discussing the track layout when Bart arrived at a flying pace.
“I can make tonight, but Gina can’t. I’m covering something now and have got to fly.” He grabbed a to-go cup and left again. The café took their attention as the lunchtime rush got into full swing. After the rush, Sam looked around for a place to put the circle for the track and found a brush to smooth away the stones. Customers from the climbing shop were using the wall for practice and he worked out that the track would have to be away from the wall just in case anyone jumped off. He worked out how to run the electricity out from the café.