The Speckled Teapot was busier than ever. Its location on platform one of Holme Hill Railway Station made it a haven for fed up travellers as they experienced Northern Fail’s woeful attempts to provide a train service. Cable theft had meant services were ‘delayed’ yet again – the third time in a month. As if that were not punishment enough, the police investigations in the tunnel between Holme Hill and Hartley had meant a week-long suspension of services along the ‘Dale Line’ as Fail’s marketing department had branded it.

Jo Bishop had difficulty finding a table. There was just one left in the far corner. The area must have been part of the original waiting room. It was good that the owners of the Teapot had preserved or restored as many original features of the Victoria...

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