The London Train by Tessa Hadley

The London Train consists of two novellas that are linked in a clever and unexpected way.  Both novellas could stand on their own as complete stories.  As the title implies, both have the London Train as a theme.  The first story is about Paul whose mother has just died.  Her death triggers a mid-life crisis and makes him question the direction his life is going.  A call from his first wife asking for help to track down their missing daughter seems to fulfil his restlessness and, as he goes to London to track her down, he finds himself drawn to her new friends, a group of Polish immigrants.  The second story is about Cora who is also facing a mid-life crisis.  She has moved back to her parents’ house in Cardiff, which she has inherited following their death, leaving her husband in London.  As she settles into her new life she is forced to question whether she should end her marriage.  As we discover more about Cora’s past and her reason for escaping to Cardiff, the connection between the stories is revealed.  The characters in both stories are realistically drawn.  It was an enjoyable read.