The Train Now Departing by
Martha Grimes
hbk out June 98
Published by Headline
at £16.99
This comprises of two novellas, The Train now Departing , and When the Mousetrap Closes. They are Linked by a common theme of loneliness. The Train Now Departing describes the relationship between a travel writer and a lady. Both remain nameless and undescribed.
They meet regularly for lunch in different restaurants, usually selected by her and disparaged by him. He is reticent about his writing and the places he has visited. He lacks charm and rarely listens to her conversation, unless it is to score points against her.
They annoy and irritate each other. To him she is a lunch companion, "an argument to refute". To her he is one of the few relationships she has. Her life is narrow and reclusive. She has become an observer rather than a participant. She spends much time in the station buffet observing the comings and goings of the station. She enjoys a closer "relationship" with the chef and the waitress.
In a meeting before he embarks on a trip to Bolivia she feels that she has inadvertently broken an unspoken agreement they had. She feels a tremor of apprehension. A final meeting fails to establish any further intimacy or understanding.
Failing to return from his trip causes an awareness of the "poverty of a friendship" that had "little proof of its existence". Learning of his death from his publisher, she realises how unimportant a person she was in his life. When The Mousetrap Closes describes the developing relationship, after a chance meeting, between the middle aged spinster Edith and the young, successful actor Archie Marchebanks.
An animated debate on character roles leads Archie to describe acting as a trick of a confidence man. They go on to arrange a meeting for the following week. Hitherto Edith has led a narrow life enjoying her solitude. Surprisingly she finds herself looking forward to the next meeting with anticipation, but also anxiety. To Edith's surprise the meeting takes place and the debate continues, she insisting that he as an actor becomes the role, he describing himself merely as calculating. The meetings continue. She learns of the new play he is in. Opening night approaches. Archie informs her that their meetings will have to be suspended. Edith feel intense disappointment.
Their final meeting before opening night is fraught. Her request for a ticket is met with a negative response.
With the exit of Archie, Edith's live feels barren.
Despite Archie's protestations, in the final chapter, Edith attends the play.....
An unusual, skilful and articulate publication this most definitely is. As a study of loneliness it achieves its objective. Admiration for her skill rather than enjoyment is my reaction to this publication. I found the overwhelming air of helplessness and hopelessness in the lives of emotionally isolated people both depressing and frustrating.
