Friends Collide

The crisp autumn air bites at my skin as Molly and I make our way down the hill towards the train station. The leaves rustle above us, seeming to whisper secrets as we pass beneath. I pull my thin coat tighter around me, trying to ward off the chill that seems to seep into my bones.

Molly, walking alongside me, lets out a small puff of breath with each step. "I hope we don't miss my train," she says, her voice low. "It's the last one tonight."

I glance at my watch. We are cutting it close, but I don't want to worry her any further, so I simply quicken my pace a bit and she follows suit.

"It's been a great night though," Molly continues. "It was so nice to see everyone again."

"Definitely," I agree. "I'm sorry I missed the last couple of meet-ups. It's such a great group."

We turn down a narrow alleyway, a shortcut to the train station that we know from our university days in this town. The path is narrow here, forcing us to go single file between the hedge on our right and the parked cars on our left. The light from the station ahead is a beacon, guiding us on as we hope to beat the train to the platform.

As we step onto the platform, I feel my heart sink. The gates are open and there isn't a staff member in sight. I walk further down the platform to get a better view of the arrival sign and confirm my worst fear.

"It wasn't the train to Brighton you were hoping for, was it?" I ask, turning to face Molly. She has neglected to bring a coat and is visibly shaking from the gusts of wind that are blowing through.

"Yes," she replies, her demeanour sinking. "Why?"

"It's been cancelled," I say, trying to keep my voice even. "I don't think there will be another one until morning."

"Shit," Molly swears, rubbing her arms in an attempt to warm up.

I reach for my phone, hoping to find another route she can take. It doesn't matter how long it takes; she can always nap on the train as it makes its way down to the south coast.

"Don't even bother," Molly says, before I can even open the app. "I know the next train isn't until 5 AM."

I sigh and put my phone back in my pocket, bracing myself as another gust of wind blows through. Molly clenches up, her shoulder-length hair whipping around her face.