Murder on the British Pullman

“There has been a murder! Can you help?  asked the butler, as we stood on the platform at Victoria Station, gazing in awe at the spectacle that is the British Pullman – the sister train of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express.

At Victoria Station

As my mother and I mingled with the other excited passengers getting ready to board, we immediately spotted more characters in period dress talking and waving their hands around and looking anxious. 

A buxom nurse, whose name tag read Nurse B.E Ware introduced herself to us. She told us that she was supposed to be announcing her engagement to the 6^th Lord Deville at the fatal dinner party. Instead of it being a celebration, he ended up dead – murdered, actually. Apparently, poisoned, face first into the semolina. Could she have done it?  After all, she was his nurse and was responsible for  attending to his needs. 

A stunning train journey through the Kent countryside
Courtesy of Orient-Express Hotels

What was certain was that one of those people was the murderer and we were going to have to find out who did it, albeit in a rather grandiose fashion over a five-course lunch and a stunning train journey through the Kent countryside.

From the moment we entered one of the cream and umber carriages, we were made to feel special. A friendly steward greeted us and showed us to our comfortable upholstered armchairs  at a linen-clothed table, set out ready for lunch. A silk lamp added a romantic touch of old-world charm.

As we sat down and sipped our glass of champagne, it was if  the clocks had been turned back to the golden age of train travel – a time when journeys were made in style and opulence.

All the immaculately restored vintage carriages pay homage to George Mortimer Pullman, who designed trains to be “palaces on wheels”. I’m sure that if he could see this marvel, he would approve.

An immaculately restored vintage carriage

Every individually-named carriage can divulge its own story. We were in Perseus, decked out in ash panels covered with wonderful old prints. To think that the Russian leaders, Bulganin and Khrushchev once travelled here only added to the seductive ambience.  I half-expected to see Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple at any moment. We certainly could have done with her on the case. 

As we began our soup, which was the most delicious garden pea soup that I had ever tasted, a couple more suspects came by. Tamara Crispin-Pettipace, the former mistress of the deceased, and Van Quaffleur, a self-proclaimed wine expert, gave their version of events of the night that  the wealthy Lord Deville had met his end. We, along with a delightful lady called Trudie, whom we met on the train, dutifully listened, asked questions and took notes. Turned out the Lord had changed his will at the last minute.

By the time we had got to our main course, a sumptuous guinea fowl breast wrapped in Parma ham, which we washed down with a refreshing, yet intense sauvignon blanc, my mother pointed out that we still hadn’t seen all the suspects. But, by the time we were nearly back in London, we had. 

I am not going to divulge who did it, because that would spoil the fun. However, what I will say is that if you want a day out with memories to savour where you will dine exquisitely and be treated as a VIP from yesteryear, book yourself a ticket! 

By Daralyn Danns

The British Pullman offers an extensive programme of luxury day excursions to Britain’s historic towns and stately homes as well as fine dining experiences as Britain’s countryside unfolds at the window. Prices start from £205 per person. For further information call 0845 077 22 22 or visit www.orient-express.com/uktrains

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