It was really quite comical. I was sound asleep despite the constant shifting movement of the train when all of a sudden there was a loud banging on the door of my berth. It took me a moment to get my bearings. Where was I again? Oh yes, somewhere en route to Thunder Cape.
But who would be so rude as to disturb my perfectly good sleep? I clutched my blanket around me and tentatively asked, “Who’s there?”
“M’am, it’s the porter. The train is pulling out of the station and this is your stop.”
My heart jumped to my throat as I quickly moved to unlock the door. There, standing red-faced and perspiring was a porter: a young man quite obviously new to the job, fidgeting and tipping his hat which promptly fell to the floor.
“What do you mean, this is my stop? We shouldn’t be in Thunder Cape until morning.”
“Thunder Cape? I was told Port Arthur, and that’s where we are at this very moment. I’m so, so sorry. Oh my, this is my third mistake on this trip and I’m sure to be fired.”
He bent down to pick up his cap and promptly bumped his head as the train rocked from side to side. Clutching his hat and his head, I saw tears come to his eyes.
“There, there” I said. “No harm done. An honest mistake. Do not worry for a moment. It will be our little secret.”
With that I patted his shoulder, placed his hat squarely back on his head, advised him to get an ice pack for his bump and bid him goodnight.
As I closed the door I smiled to myself and thought: just wait until Miss Audrey hears about this!
