The train barreled along under the natural light of the moon glinting off the rails. Inside Leslie’s compartment, the blackouts were drawn, and the painted light bulbs gave everything and everyone in the coach a kind of blue tinge. His traveling companions turned out to be the middle-aged couple who had previously given the clerk such a difficult time.
The man, chubby and balding, spoke first. “Going on holiday?”
Leslie thought it an odd question considering the war situation but told him no. “Mostly business,” then he introduced himself.
“We’re the Halfords,” the man said. “I’m Alfred,” he said, and then pointed to the thin unsmiling woman sitting next to him. “And that’s Elinor. The wife.”
“Hope you’ll have some time to look around,” Alfred said and then went on as if reading stiffly
