'But it was the accident that brought me here,' explained Colbeck. 'As it happens, I've just returned from the site.'

'What's that?' asked Andrews, hearing him this time and getting up instantly from his chair. 'You know something about the crash?'

'Yes, Mr Andrews.'

'Tell me everything.'

'Give Robert a proper greeting first,' chided Madeleine.

'This is important to me, Maddy.'

'I appreciate that, Mr Andrews,' said Colbeck, 'and that's why I came. If we could all sit down, I'll be happy to give you the full details. I don't think you should hear them standing up.'

'Why not?'

'Just do as Robert suggests, Father,' said Madeleine.

'Well?' pressed Andrews as he resumed his seat.

Sitting on the sofa, Colbeck took a deep breath. 'It was a head-on collision,' he told them. 'Six people were killed and dozens were badly injured.'

'Do you know who was on the footplate at the time?'

'Yes, Mr Andrews. The driver of the ballast train was Edmund Liversedge. His fireman was Timothy Parke.'

Andrews shook his head. 'I don't know either of them.'

'Their families are being informed of their deaths, as we speak.'

'What about the express?'

'The fireman was the only survivor on the footplate. He managed to jump clear before the crash. His name is John Heddle.'

'Heddle!' repeated the other. 'That little monkey. I remember him when he was a cleaner for the LNWR. He was always in trouble. In the end, he was sacked.' He scratched his beard. 'So he's made something of himself, after all, has he? Good for him. I never thought John Heddle would become a fireman.'

'What about the driver?' said Madeleine.

'It appears that he was killed instantly,' said Colbeck.

After looking from one to the other, he lowered his voice. 'I'm afraid that I have some distressing news for you. The driver was Frank Pike.'