Arriving at the station about forty minutes before departure, I was pleasantly surprised to find I was the twelfth person in line. I left my suitcase and went to the little cafe to get a hot chocolate and when I returned, I smiled at the lady in front and asked if her destination was Toronto as the train was passing by several towns on the way.
VIA train in Ottawa (Wiki)
She stated that her destination was Windsor as she was returning home after visiting a relative. So I told her I was going for a book signing of my novel
Beneath the Singapore Sky.
Her eyes widened and I asked if she like reading. She loved reading, she said. "I'll show you my novel then," said I.
After rummaging through my hand luggage, I realized, all the copies of
Beneath the Singapore Sky was in my heavy suitcase. The lady was looking expectantly at me.
" Will you hold this for me?"
I handed her my cup of hot chocolate and proceeded to unzip my suitcase. I took a couple of books, placed one in my hand luggage and handed the other to her, while retrieving my hot chocolate and sipped it ,as I looked behind me to see that the line-up had grown.
When I returned my gaze to her, she asked,
" Will you sign it for me?"
"Do you want to buy it?" Sounded silly as soon I voiced it. I was stunned or perhaps sleepy as I had awaken about 5 am much too early for me.
The line started to move, so she told me she would pay me on the train. I trusted her.
On the train, she found me and since the seat next to me was empty, she asked if she could sit there. I had no problems with that.
We spent much of the trip reading or meditating on my part. She told me of her friend who was in charge of the bookfest in Windsor and asked if I was interested in participating. She was going to show my book to this friend. I told her I really appreciated that.
I wondered what the rest of the weekend would be like? Fantastic surely? If you would like to know, please check my next post.
PC Nicholas
