“Dave, thank God you’re safe,” blurted Kaz, as Dave finally arrived back on the engine’s footplate. Kaz put her arms around him, forgetting the pain that still throbbed in her right arm. A rather squeezed Dave managed a quick glance at Andy, who gave Dave a sly wink. Dave seemed emotionally subdued.
“Move in will ya,” said Titch, as he barged his way into the crowded cab. Titch took control and spouted out his orders, “Okay, we ‘ave the bomb now fanks to Dave, so let’s shove this thing in reverse and head back.”
“What are we going to do with it?” asked Kaz.
“Um, I don’t know yet, but at least it ain’t going to London,” replied Titch.
“We could head back to the bunker with it,” suggested Dave.
Andy, who had been busy slowing the engine, returned his attention to the group, “It’s too risky to go back to the bunker. The German raiding party will probably be back from the army base and won’t be too happy to see us … especially me. Llanporth Halt is still occupied by Germans, so the only option is head to Pembroke Dock.”
“Yes, that’s a great idea,” agreed Dave, “… the docks will do nicely.” The engine had now come to a standstill. Andy quickly set the reverser and leaned over to increase the regulator. The engine lurched and everyone grabbed each other to keep their balance. It was at this point that Dave glanced down and noticed Owens rigid body slumped in the corner. “Who that?” said a stunned Dave.
“That’s Owen the engine driver,” replied Titch.
“You mean you killed him to steal this engine?”
“No… no, he helped us, but he got shot as we left Llanporth,” explained Kaz sadly, “It’s a real shame; he seemed such a nice old guy.” Dave knelt down to examine Owen closer. He felt for his vital signs and placed his hand over the bullet wound.
As the engine once again picked up speed, Titch had some bad news for them. “Oh guys, the other train is behind us.”
“What, they have realised already?” said Andy increasing the regulator, “They’re not as dumb as I thought. Hang on.” Soon they were approaching Manorbier station once more. This time they took the signalman by surprise. He had just raced out to the top of the signal box steps when they passed underneath. Moments later the train with the open wagon running first, steamed past in close succession. The signalman immediately sent out warning bell signals to Llanporth Halt and called them on the telegraph block phone, which unfortunately warned Krause that the train was coming back. Well, two to be precise.
“We are gaining some ground,” said Dave, who had returned from checking Owen to watch the other train now in hot pursuit.
“Can’t we go any faster?” shouted Kaz.
“I’m absolutely stuffed,” replied an exhausted Andy, “I need someone to shovel more coal.”
“No problem,” said Dave readily, “Just show me what to do.”
Titch and Kaz moved to the cab doorway openings to give the boys more room to operate. Andy quickly ran through the process with Dave, and then realised the coal bunker was getting low. He did not let on to the others that there was no way they would reach Pembroke Dock before running out of steam. “Yes, we’re definitely leaving them behind,” observed Kaz.
“Excellent,” said Andy, “At this rate we shall be in Pembroke before we know it.” They all cheered. Andy crossed his fingers for luck. Somehow they might need it. The coal was down to the last few shovelfuls.
“What time is it Kaz?” queried Titch, totally forgetting he was now wearing a watch of his own.
“Just after midnight,” shouted back Kaz from the other side of the noisy cab, “I could think of a lot better things to be doing at this time of the night.”
“I can’t,” responded Titch, who was thoroughly enjoying his new life experiences.
“Um, Andy, we are out of coal. This is the last lot,” said Dave, glancing between Andy and the shovel. Andy was surprised how quickly Dave had shifted the last of the coal.
“Yes I was afraid of that. It looks like we won’t make it to the docks,” replied Andy with a quick glance around at everyone.
“So what now?” Kaz asked.
“We’ll just have to hope for a miracle I suppose,” said Dave, as he threw the last shovelful of coal into the fire.
“Dave, take the gun and get a good position in the empty coal bunker. We will be approaching Llanporth soon and we need to be prepared for enemy fire,” said Andy, taking command of the dire situation. “Titch, can you look after the engine?”
“Sure thing,” acknowledged Titch.
“Kaz, do you know how to program that PAD thingy?” asked Andy quickly.
“Oh yeah, I nearly forgot about it. I just need to set the date,” said Kaz as she produced the device from her bag.
“What do you need?” said Andy impatiently.
“I’ve got it on this piece of paper,” she held up the paper to show Andy when a strong draught caught it and blew it out of the cab.” Kaz looked distraught. “Oh Shit!”
“Can you remember the code?” asked Andy, concerned.
“Okay, I’ll just have to work out how many days it was from the start of the year,” said Kaz starting to count numbers on her fingers.
Dave shouted down from his position at the top of the bunker, “Are we starting to slow down?”
“Geez, don’t tell me we’re running out of steam already,” said Andy, frantically pushing the regulator higher to no avail.
“C’mon, don’t let us down now,” shouted Titch waving both arms, as he pleaded with the engine.
“I can see the station and I don’t think you want to see this,” shouted Dave. They all clambered to look at the approaching station.
“Oh no … they have piled old rails and sleepers on the track and goodness knows what else,” said Kaz starting to panic.
“And here comes the other train … and it is rapidly catching us up,” shouted Dave with more bad news.
“What!” said Andy in disbelief turning to Dave, “Hurry up Kaz, and get us out of here or we’ll all be joining Owen. Titch was silent as he finally realised they were in big trouble. Andy was in a dilemma as to whether he should slam on the engine’s brakes or not. If he did, he risked shortening the time they had till the other train hit, or if he left things as they were, then they would crash into the pile of sleepers at speed. His decision was cut short, as gunfire started to rain in all directions. Dave fired off a few shots as they entered the station yard proper and then ducked for cover. Then he turned around to see the other train almost upon them.
“Quick, all hold hands!” shouted Kaz. At that very moment their engine collided with the pile of sleepers and the following train crashed into them at speed a split second later. There was an almighty boom. The force of the collision instantly derailed the two engines which sent them sliding sideways churning up the track bed in their wake. The brake-van took the brunt of the collision as it was crushed to firewood. The next van carrying the bomb was pummelled into the ground between the engines. Scorching steam and boiling water from burst boiler pipes mixed with hot coals that were being flung in all directions. Metal ground against metal as the two heavy locomotives continued to pound each other into a twisted mass. Two open wagons sandwiched between the two locomotives were also crushed like matchwood whilst wagons closest to the rear locomotive had broken their couplings and were hurtling themselves like out of control missiles. One careered its way onto the platform and systematically flattening the booking office and ended up tearing a huge hole in the side of the main station building where it came to rest amongst the ruins. Kaz gasped for breath as an intense blanket of thick, grey smoke choked her lungs. Then she saw the light. This is the end, she thought, resigning herself to the fact that life as she knew was just about to end. Thoughts about her father and her mum flashed past. She saw herself as a child as she struggled to ride her first bicycle which was a present for her seventh birthday. Her dad was laughing as he held the bike to stop it from falling. As the smoke cleared slightly, she saw her pet dog, Benny, as he bounded and raced around in their back garden, chasing his well-chewed play ball. She saw her mum watching over her as she lay in bed when she was sick from the flu last winter. She turned to see Andy sitting in the bed with her. “What the hell are you doing here?” exclaimed Kaz as the last wisps of smoke cleared.
“Kaz … Kaz … I think we’re back,” said Titch shaking her arm. Kaz slowly realised that they were back in the railway carriage. She looked at Titch and Andy sitting opposite her. At first she thought she must have fallen asleep and had woken from a rather bad dream. But as she regained her senses she could see Andy and Titch were still heavily blackened with coal. It was then she noticed the empty seat. “Where’s Dave?” she half-screamed.
“He didn’t make it,” said Andy shaking his head gently.
“But …” Kaz was for once was lost for words.
“Oh, my watch says it's eleven minutes past four,” advised Andy checking his watch.
“Me too,” agreed Titch, showing off his new watch.
“Oh …” Kaz was a taken back by a flood of memories, “… you mean it all happened.”
“Looks that way,” smiled Andy. “Not quite the journey I was expecting.” He wondered how he was going to explain all this to his senior officer back at Bristol.
“Me neither,” agreed Titch once again.
A short tune played. Kaz took her phone out of the pocket of her backpack. “I’ve got a message.”
“Wot’s it say?” asked Titch rudely.
“Mum is at the station and is looking forward to meeting you Titch.” Kaz looked at the state of Titch. ”I think you should at least wipe the black off your face or we’re going to have a lot of explaining to do.”
“We’ll have to meet up and talk about what’s happened. There are lot of questions waiting for answers,” said Andy.
“Yeah, that’s a good idea,” said Kaz nodding in agreement. “Can you give me your number and I’ll give you a call in the next day or so.”
“Sure.” Andy read out his phone number so Kaz could enter it into her phone. “Oh hang on … they took my phone so you will not be able to call me.”
“You’re joking,” said Kaz dismayed. “Well here’s my number.” She handed over a piece of paper. “Where are you staying?”
“I've booked a Bed and Breakfast opposite the entrance to the castle.”
“Oh yes I know that one,” said Kaz.
“What about Dave?” Titch asked.
“There was something about him I couldn’t quite put my finger on,” responded Andy with a slight frown.
“Yeah, I felt he sort of wasn’t all there. He seemed very vague and distant most of the time. Maybe he was the one Peter was concerned about,” said Kaz.
“Really, in what way?” asked Andy.
“He didn’t say, but something was not right,” said Kaz.
“He didn’t like my sweets either,” added Titch.
“Come to think of it, I’ve never seen him eat anything,” said Andy.
“Neither have I,” agreed Kaz, “… or drink.”
Andy thought back. “You’re right. Now you’re scaring me a little.”
“Why is that?” asked Kaz.
“Maybe he was a plant,” suggested Andy.
“A plant … like a daffodil?” queried Titch.
“No silly …” said Kaz, “… like he was put up to it, part of some plan so to speak.”
“I liked him,” said Titch.
A number of houses motioned past the train windows, many colourfully painted in shades of pinks, creams and salmons. A number of industrial sheds drifted past. “We’re almost at Pembroke,” advised Kaz relieved, as the train gently coasting towards the station.
“At last,” said Andy, “Maybe I can get a decent feed and a good night’s sleep now.” They all laughed and unanimously agreed.
Kaz quickly delved into her engorged bag and pulled out Andy’s flattened backpack. “I think this is yours,” she said, handing it to Andy.
“Ha! I didn’t think I would see that old thing again. Pity they took my phone, though,” he sighed. Andy stood up as the platform came into view.
“Is that yours?” asked Kaz as she noticed a computer disk left lying on the seat.
“Yeah, I found it down a pit. I’m interested to find out what’s on it.”
Kaz went to get up and felt the PAD at her side. “I don’t know what I'm supposed to do with this now?” she said.
“Hang on to it. I want to have a better look at that thing next time I see you,” said Andy, with a cheeky wink. Kaz blushed.
“Quick, let’s get off this thing before something else happens,” said Kaz, a little paranoid. They quickly moved to the door of the carriage, just as the train stopped. They disembarked and headed down the platform towards the small car park. “There’s my mum,” said Kaz, pointing her out to the others. Kaz waved. Her mum was waiting at the entrance and waved back.
“Hello love … and hello John,” said Kaz’s mum, “I’m sorry I couldn’t pick you up today but I’ve been a bit poorly what with my asthma and all.” Then she noticed the dirty state they were in. “My goodness … what happened to you lot.”
“Uh, oh the train broke down and we had to push,” said Kaz with a grin.
“Likely story,” said Kaz’s mum, not convinced. “I want to hear all about when we get home.”
“Oh, and this is Andy … we met on the train,” said Kaz introducing him. “Andy’s down here on holiday for a while.”
“Welcome to Pembroke,” said Mrs Spencer. “I’m sure you’ll find plenty of adventure here.” Kaz and Titch looked at Andy.
“I’m sure I will,” replied Andy with a smile, “I’m sure I will.”
“And we might be in for a bad storm tonight,” said Kaz.
“No … not according to the weather forecast,” replied her mum, “Where did you get that silly idea from?”
Kaz sighed and looked towards the south coast, where some dark clouds were forming. “It’s a long story …”
“I’m going to write a book about our adventures and be famous,” Titch said seriously.
“I don’t think anyone’s going to believe it,” said Kaz with a smile. The train revved its diesel engine and slowly moved off. Kaz took one last look at the train before she got in the car. The train driver, who was clearly visible, turned and smiled straight at her. Kaz froze. I’m sure that was Owen, she thought. No … it couldn’t be?
THE END