Edmund Ashcombe

3

The train rolled steadily through the English countryside, carrying Edmund Ashcombe to Bath, where he was due to spend several weeks with family friends. He sat alone in first class, quietly reading beneath the warm glow of the carriage lamps. The door opened. Edmund glanced up. A young woman stepped inside, gathering her skirts as she entered. After looking around the carriage, she chose the seat directly opposite him. Edmund lowered his newspaper. Their eyes met. For perhaps the first time that afternoon, he found himself completely distracted. And for reasons he couldn't quite explain, Edmund suddenly felt that the journey to Bath might be rather more interesting than he'd anticipated.