THIS FILE IS NOT LISTED IN THE RANDALSTOWN ARCHIVE
GREAT NORTHERN RAILWAY (IRELAND) // RANDALSTOWN // PRIVATE DUTY NOTES
The pages removed from the line book
Johnston did not report for duty. His wife brought his keys and would say only that he had woken in the night with soot packed beneath his fingernails. I worked the goods train alone. At the eastern bend, the whistle gave two short notes although my hand never touched the cord.The Bell girl stood between the rails. Head lowered. I shut my eyes before we reached her. There was no impact, but someone walked slowly through every carriage from the engine to the guard's van. The doors remained locked.They told me Mary Bell had no head when she was lifted from the line. Then what is it she keeps lowered when the train approaches?Found an old photograph pushed beneath the cabin door. Mary and her father outside the cottage. She is looking at the ground. When I returned after dark, her arm was raised towards the railway. I burned it. It was back on the desk this morning.I understand now. She is not pointing towards the line. She is pointing towards whoever is looking at the photograph.