Sleepers

 

At the end of our garden is a field. At the bottom of that field is a railway line. The Cambrian Coast mainline runs less than 500m from our home, separating us from the beach, and the sea beyond. Having a trainline so close has never bothered us. There are at most ten, two- carriage trains running a day. Indeed it was such a novelty when we first moved in that one of us would yell ‘train’ excitedly whenever one passed. I admit that I have started to do that again, now that our grandson visits regularly.

That was until Network Rail thought it was a good idea to do some routine maintenance on the line, including the replacing of worn sleepers. And, so as not to disturb the train scheduling, that work would be done between 1 am and 5 am, on three consecutive nights. The very same nights when the summer finally deigned to arrive this far north, and it was impossible to sleep with the windows closed. It turned out it was going to be impossible to sleep whether the windows were open or closed.

Now we are very tired. I am tired because, as you might have picked up, I have just launched my second novel out into the world. It has been a demanding time, full of excitement, but not a little stress. We have also been dealing with some family health issues, caring for a very active grandson, and trying to get the house renovations done. So sleep is especially precious at the moment.

With the sound of clanging steel, motors running, voices talking, sparks flying and the floodlights lighting up the night sky, I lay in bed contemplating important things. Like why are sleepers called sleepers? It seemed most ironic that the replacing of sleepers was disturbing sleepers.

I have grown up believing that sleepers were so called because they were laid down in rows like sleeping men. Well a quick consultation with Mr Google, and I found out that the name ‘sleeper’ could come from the Norwegian ‘sleep’, the name given for a piece of timber used for dragging things over. Apparently the name sleeper has been used for laid flat pieces of timber in old buildings, for centuries. Oh and on further, middle of the night, researching, I found other uses for the word ‘sleeper’. Of course, it describes a person sleeping (I wish) but also can refer to a spy, something undercover, that is more important that anyone realises until he/she or it comes to light. Other meanings: a railway carriage to sleep in (again, ironic), pajamas with feet (too hot), a piece of furniture that opens into a bed (maybe the sofa is calling?), a type of tropical fish that rests in shallow waters (not dead at the bottom of the tank), an unexpected hit e.g. movie or book (dream on), an incubus (bit scary to think about in the dark hours) or a dormouse (cute).

After all that research you would think I would be ready to sleep. But with the Clangers (remember them?) as we aptly named the railway maintenance crew, still lending their unique soundtrack (see what I did there?), I just let my mind go to other words that have many meanings. The English language is awash with them. Of course they were suddenly all sleep related.

If I could just get comfortable in my (flower, truck, river) bed. Put my head down on my (down) pillow and pull up the nice cool sheet (of glass, tin, paper, rain). Maybe even snuggle under a blanket (of snow, mist or fog). Then perhaps with what is left of the rest of the night, I can rest my weary head, and get some much needed rest.

Joy Margetts has loved writing for as long as she can remember. A retired nurse, mother of two, and a new grandparent, she also has a lifelong interest in history. She makes her home on the beautiful North Wales coast.

Her debut novel 'The Healing', a work of historic fiction, was published by Instant Apostle on 19 March 2021. Joy has also self published a short novella, 'The Beloved' as both a companion to 'The Healing', and as an easy to read standalone story, which is available on Amazon Kindle.

Her second full - length novel, 'The Pilgrim', was  published by Instant Apostle on 22nd July 2022

More information on Joy and her writing, and her personal blog, can be found here www.joymargetts.com