February 2020 Winner

Survive

Written by Valerie Gumley

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Thankfully this was Nick’s last journey of the day, he had been on the go now for fifteen hours straight. He knew it broke safety regulations, but his boss had offered to see him right if he did the run and he needed the money, his rent was going up again.

He guided the train over the switchback and relaxed back into his seat for the journey as he reached for his flask. As the sweet tea revived him his thoughts drifted back to the that morning.

His 15-year-old daughter had been out at a friend’s and he had insisted she be home by midnight. Midnight came with no sign of Ruby. Nick tried to keep awake by watching television, along with copious amounts of caffeine. At one o'clock in the morning he was pacing the floor, by one thirty he had started phoning round the local hospitals in panic. At two o'clock he finally heard the front door open and watched as Ruby tiptoed past, shoes in hand.

They had argued bitterly the next morning with Ruby pulling every excuse until Nick stormed out, shouting over his shoulder telling her not to bother coming home at all next time. He instantly regretted it.

God he was tired, the fields and housing estates flashed by all blending into one another. Nick put his flask away and prepared to approach the next stop, gradually slowing the train as it approached the platform. Suddenly a figure came hurtling into his vision just in front of the cab, like a large red kite. Nick slammed the brakes with all the strength he could muster. “NO! Oh, please God no.”

Ruby’s face flashed before him, the bitter arguments thundering through his brain, his last words “Don’t bother coming home!”. What if this girl, someone’s daughter, wasn’t coming home?

As the train screamed to a halt Nick leapt from the cab. Heart pumping he ran down the platform, his heavy work boots making his feet feel like they were encased in lead. He ran to where the red coat lay crumpled by the track. As he bent over the still form he noticed the freckles on her nose, just like Ruby’s. The beautiful youthful face with a smear of lip gloss on her lips.

The girl opened her eyes and looked directly into Nick’s and he said a silent prayer of thanks. She was bruised but not badly hurt, she had misjudged her jump and hit the side of the train but by some miracle had not fallen under it.

Nick sat on the platform and sobbed. What if this girl had been his Ruby pushed to her young inexperienced limits by her parents or peers? He thought of the hours he put in which meant he was never at home and realised things needed to change. He pulled out his mobile and dialled Ruby’s number. Of course there was no answer so he texted.

Ruby I love you, Dad xx