“We may as well turn in for the night,” he said.

I followed him and Lily back to the carriage, picked up my traveling bag and waited for the conductor to open the curtain that hid the sleeping compartment. I stepped inside and quickly pulled the curtain tightly across the opening. Inside, there was a small bed covered in silken sheets. I stood, my heart thumping. I was acutely aware that Aidan was in the compartment right next to mine, separated only by a curtain. The distance between us was so small I could have put out my hand and touched him. A sadness came over me as I imagined how different things might have been.

I was awakened with a start when I felt someone’s presence beside the bed. I sat straight up and turned up the lamp. Lily stood looking down at me. She carried the small, well-worn plush rabbit she always slept with.

“What’s wrong, Lily?” I whispered.

“I can’t sleep. I’m frightened.”

The poor wee thing, I thought. I’d probably have felt the same way at her age if I was lying in a strange bed by myself on a moving train. I pulled aside the bedcovers.

“It’s all right, Lily. Climb in with me. I’ll keep you safe.”

The warmth of her small body was comforting. Soon her steady breathing told me she was asleep. I lay awake for a while, but soon the rocking rhythm of the train lulled me back to sleep.

I awoke with a start again, sensing someone was watching me. I hadn’t drawn the window curtains aside, and the red rays of dawn filtered into the Pullman car, giving enough light that I could make out a shadow. I knew instinctively who it was.

“Aidan?” I whispered. “Is something wrong?”

He came closer. “Nothing,” he whispered back. “I went to check on Lily and she wasn’t in her bed. I guessed she might be with you.”

I nodded. “She came in last night. She was afraid of being on her own.”

I thought then he might be hurt that she didn’t seek comfort with him. As if reading my thoughts, he said, “I am surprised she didn’t come to me, but I suppose . . .”

He let the words trail off.

“She is missing her mother, I think.”