The Train of Lost Destinations and Newfound Hope

Ecrits Blogophilia Week 31.16 – Deliberately Lost
Hard Bonus: Include a Colorado ski town
Easy Bonus: Incorporate the word “fandango”

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It was Simon who suggested this ludicrous fandango, a “Journey back to ourselves” he called it. Who was I to argue? We were due for a new adventure. So here we were dressed for the part. I, in vintage Dior, black Italian lace, and dripping in gold baubles. He in a Savile Row suit and shiny wingtips. Eyes were all over us as we boarded the train. Double takes and piercing stares, perhaps they wondered if we were Royalty or long lost Aristocracy.

Simon took my hat and coat and ventured off toward the reserved Suite, to tuck them away, while I perched myself in the lavish dinning car. A newly designed space of white velvet and cherry wood. I settled into a booth then glimpsed the last of the station as we rolled out. A waiter approached “Welcome aboard the Celestial Sky” he presented me with a beautiful cocktail from his silver tray, “Compliments of Lady Winterbourne,” he nodded over to a stunning white haired woman in tweed and brown leather, she nodded toward me. “She owns this train,” he whispered, one eyebrow raised. I smiled up at him and then graciously waved her over to join me.

Our gloved hands shook hello as she made herself at home across the table.
“No need for introductions my Dear, I know very well who you are, and I have been dying for a chat.” her accent was poised but not from London, perhaps a combination of received pronunciation and a boarding school upbringing.
“I’m sorry,” I apologized, “this trip was a surprise of sorts, so I have not done my homework on The Celestial Sky, I am not familiar with it’s history nor it’s itinerary.”
“Did your husband plan the trip then?”
“No, well um, yes…I mean he is not my husband, but….”
“Lover?” she leaned in salaciously. Which I found a bit rude.
“Let’s just say travel companion.” I took a sip of my drink.
“For now…” she smirked, then tilted her head and continued, “Tell me when did you two meet?”
“Hmm, 1993 or was it ’96. I am not sure now. It’s all a bit fuzzy, feels like a lifetime ago.”
“I see,” she looked right into my eyes, “perhaps around the time you jumped timelines.”
“You know about timelines?”
“Of course Dear, we all do. That is what draws people to this train.”
“Well to be honest I am still confused.”
“Ahh, well we are all mysteries to be solved my Dear. Keep an eye on the view and I will check back later. Much to talk about, so much to talk about…” With that she was gone. I looked up and caught eyes with the waiter who was laughing and shaking his head. Before I could engage, Simon walked in and collapsed into the seat Lady Winterbourne had just occupied. “Whew this train is enormous, I got lost four times, already. You would think it would be linear but something is up with this place, it doesn’t make any sense.”
“Nothing is making sense,” I was fixed on the view, a view that had gone from sunshine and green hills to white snowdrifts and crystalline ponds, “Where are we?”
Simon laughed, “I don’t know. I feel like we left England and now we are in Vail. What is going on?”

End part One…. Written By Christine Wichman c. January 29, 2025
Photos taken from Pinterest