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CHARLIE AND ANGUS GO TO FRATTON

A CHILDRENS SHORT STORY

It was cold on Portsmouth station, a biting wind blew off the harbour. Seven year old Charlie stood in a little family group on platform one and kept a firm hold on Angus, his small and frisky highland terrier. They had come to say bye-bye to Grandma, who had been visiting over Christmas. Angus tugged on his lead and Charlie pulled him back, “Keep a tight hold on him Charlie,” Mum said, “you know what he's like when he sees another dog.”

“Yes Mum.” he replied, tightening his grip.

“Is the train on time?” asked Gran, with a little impatience, “Does the information screen over there give up to date departure times? Let's go and have a look.” Gran, Mum and Dad walked towards the centre of the platform.

A train stood on the opposite platform, its doors open and its engine running. A small furry spaniel  stared disinterestedly out of the window. Charlie set off to go with his parents and Gran but his dog had different ideas. Angus had spotted the spaniel and  he yanked on the lead. Charlie was surprised at the sudden jerk, he was pulled off balance and couldn't hold him. Angus made straight for the open door of the train and, his lead trailing behind him, with a mighty bound,  leapt off the platform and  through the open doors.

Charlie shouted, “Mum!” but a blast of the train's horn drowned his yell. He ran after Angus and sprang through the doors and into the carriage to see Angus yapping at the spaniel. The spaniel's owner, an elderly lady was as shaken as her dog with Angus's approach and pulled her dog towards her for safety.

“Come here Angus!” Charlie shouted but Angus ignored him. He bent forwards to grab the lead, unaware of the shuuuuush as the train doors slid shut. Only when the train lurched forward did he stand and watch in horror as they passed his parents and Gran slip away from view.

The train gathered speed, houses and back gardens slid by, he stood frozen as Angus continued his yapping. A hundred thoughts ran through Charlie's mind but he gathered his wits and decided to ask someone for help. “Excuse me please,” he said to a man besides the door, “where does the train stop next?” But the man was plugged into his walkman and ignored him.

He tried again with the dark haired lady sitting in the next seat. “Excuse me,” he began but she raised her hand and said, “No speaka de English!”

Just then, the train braked and they slowed as they entered another station. He looked out of the window and slowly read he platform sign.'Portsmouth and Southsea'. It meant nothing to him and only made him more frightened. Some people got on, the doors closed with a shuuuuush and they began to move forward again. “Good afternoon Ladies and Gentlemen,” came a voice over the loud speaker, “welcome on board the 1235 train to London Victoria, we will be calling at.............”

But Charlie heard no more. London Victoria...........however was he to get back from London?

More houses and back gardens slipped by as they rattled along. He saw the chain at the ceiling and the warning, 'Emergency only'. His mind began to work overtime as he tried to think of a solution and his bottom lip began to tremble a little.

Then he heard the screech of the brakes again and felt the train slowing down. Another station, another platform. He looked out of the window and read the sign, 'Fratton'. Why, he knew Fratton, his Aunt Polly lived in Fratton. The doors opened and before he could change his mind, he gave Angus a tug on his lead and they jumped through  and onto the platform.

Seconds later, the train was disappearing along the track and he and Angus stood, all alone on the platform. He glanced around looking for something familiar. There were signs everywhere, 'Exit', 'Keep off the track' and a large sign which said 'It is an offence to travel without a ticket'.

He was wondering what to do next when an elderly man, cloth cap and walking stick, hobbled up the ramp and onto the platform.

“I missed the train didn't I?” he said crossly.

“It's just gone sir.” said Charlie.

“Why didn't you get on it then?” he asked with a frown.

“Well,” began Charlie, rather pleased to have someone to talk to, “I, I mean we, got on the train by mistake. We were seeing Gran off and my dog, Angus jumped on the train going to London. They closed the doors before we could get off. We want to get back.”

“To Portsmouth Harbour?” he asked.

“The big station, the one near the ferries.” Charlie answered.

“Its called Portsmouth Harbour, look,”  and he pointed up the track, “you're in luck, the train on the other track coming towards us is going to Portsmouth. Now, very quickly, run up the steps,” and he pointed with his walking stick, “and over the footbridge, come down onto the other platform. Hurry, you haven't got long. Go!”

Charlie needed no further urging, he tugged on the lead and they set off up the steps, two at a time, they ran over the footbridge and then down the steps. They landed on the platform just as the train braked to a halt. The doors slid open and with a giant leap, Charlie and Angus sprang forward and  landed inside the carriage. He scurried into a seat and looked across the track to see the old man grinning at him and holding up his thumb. He returned the 'thumbs up' and the grin and waved as the doors slid closed and the train began to move forwards.

They passed the same houses and back streets that they had passed only on the outward journey and minutes later, coasted into  a station. Charlie read the platform sign, 'Portsmouth and Southsea'. He sat tight and shortly the doors closed with a shuuuuush and the train began to move. More houses, more back gardens, he started to grin when suddenly, the door to the next carriage slid open and the ticket collector walked in. Charlie gasped, he'd no ticket. The collector strode through the carriage and Charlie became worried and was sure that he was coming towards him.  Then a lady tugged at the conductor's sleeve and asked him where the bus station was. He bent to answer her as some of the other passengers began to stand and collect their belongings from the baggage rack. A large lady with a baby and a buggy edged towards the door and Charlie slid out of his seat and followed her.

As the train slowed, he looked carefully out of the window, then he saw Mum and Dad and they seemed to be looking for someone. The train stopped and the carriage doors slid open. He followed the large lady with the buggy off the train and walked casually across the platform towards his  Mum who held his hand and said, “Charlie, where have you been, we've been looking everywhere for you?”

“Oh, we were just,” he began with a shrug of his shoulders.....................then a piercing screech of a train's klazon drowned out his words.