Page 67 of Winter Magic on Railway Lane

Libby looked at Ethan, who nodded his agreement.

‘Then I’ll ask him later,’ she told him.

Ethan was pleased. ‘It sounds as if it’s going to be a bit of a village effort to get this thing ready in time,’ he said.

‘Well, the clue was always in the name,’ said Eddie. ‘After all, it’s the Cranfield Christmas train, isn’t it?’

‘Yes. It is, Grandad.’

Ethan was warmed by his grandfather’s words, as well as the thought of the steam train being a community effort. Not only would it need everyone’s help to get it ready in time for December, in a way, he could see how much it meant to everyone sitting around the table that evening.

He finally understood the legacy that the trains had within his family. He felt it deep inside, woven into his very blood. He couldn’t let anyone down. Not now. Not ever.

And then he had to admit that it meant something to him too. That being born and bred in Cranfield still meant something to him. That not all of the times he spent there were bad. And perhaps there were future happy memories just around the corner as well, he thought as he looked across at Libby and found her smiling back at him.

40

After the meeting was over, Libby and Ethan walked Bob home.

As Libby only lived two doors away, a few moments later they stood by her front gate.

‘That all sounded really positive,’ she told him.

But, to her surprise, he actually looked a little sheepish. ‘I need you to describe this nutcracker story to me again. Otherwise I can’t begin to plan out the lighting. This is how I normally start off with my clients.’

‘And I’m your client?’ She gave him a wide smile. ‘Excellent! How much does it pay?’

‘Not very much at all you’ll find,’ he drawled, leaning against the front wall.

‘Okay,’ she began. ‘I would start off with the scene on Christmas Eve as that’s how the ballet begins. So you need a big tree, lots of twinkly lights and presents underneath the tree. I know! You could make that bit at the station, so when everyone arrives, they’re immediately immersed into Christmas and the start of the story.’

He nodded and made some notes on his phone. ‘Got it.’

‘But you’re going to have to highlight one toy somehow,’ she told him. ‘Have one of the larger boxes open to reveal a nutcracker doll, all dressed up in its smart uniform.’

He made some more notes.

She tapped her chin in thought. ‘Then, as the train gets going, there would need to be a bit of shazam.’

‘Shazam?’ he asked, his eyebrows going up.

‘You know, that something magical is happening,’ she said. ‘Because presto! The nutcracker doll comes to life.’

He nodded thoughtfully. ‘Shazam,’ he muttered to himself as he typed into his phone. ‘That we could probably manage.’

‘Then there’s the big scene where the nutcracker doll has to fight the evil Mouse King in order for there to be peace in the realm,’ she carried on. ‘So it’s like a big battle. You know, fighting, explosions. That kind of stuff.’

He frowned. ‘Not sure we can have actual big explosions, but perhaps I could rig something up. Lights flashing, smoke machine, that kind of thing.’

She nodded. ‘That would do it. After all, it’s only as the train goes past. Then, when the battle is won, they go through the forest of the fir trees. That’s normally to the “Waltz of the Snowflakes” in the ballet.’

‘That we can do,’ he said, suddenly animated. ‘Lots of fake snow, icicles, that kind of thing.’

She clapped her hands enthusiastically. ‘Perfect. The second act is where they arrive at the Kingdom of Sweets, which is a big celebration. The famous Sugar Plum Fairy dance, but really there’s lots highlighting different sweets and food, such as coffee, tea and chocolate.’

He was deep in thought for a moment. ‘If we simplify it but still make it magical with narration and perhaps some of the music, then that might work.’

‘And the Kingdom of Sweets could be set up at Cranley station, if it’s allowed,’ she added.