Day 28 of my drabble-a-day challenge! Here is today’s drabble:

Halloween Is Coming

"Mummy, there's a pumpkin climbing up my arm!"

I force my eyes open, trying to make sense of what Ellie is saying.

"Look!"

She points. It's a ladybird, but it's orange, not red. The black spots on its back form a grinning face, just like a Jack-o'-lantern.

The train jolts to a halt. Again.

"It's pretty."

She seems happy. I slump against the grubby seat-back.

When she next says "Mummy" it sounds like her mouth is full.

All I can manage is "hmmm?" and she doesn't reply.

The train sways on, and Ellie's round, orange head lolls against my shoulder.

Sharing my seat in this train (London to Bristol, delayed departure, overcrowded carriages, defective track West of Didcot) is a small, orange ladybird. The black spots do - if you have an overactive imagination and squint a bit - look slightly like a lantern.

The train is about twenty minutes late but really, it's fine. In a situation where there were not enough seats to go round, reservations that weren't properly displayed, lots of bulky luggage and some overtired children… rarely have I seen so many people being so extraordinarily nice and helpful to strangers. Well done, people.