Life always has its own way of unfolding.
«Rebecca, Ive got news for youNicholas is coming back from the army tomorrow, so well be getting married soon. Youll dance at our wedding,» chattered Emily.
«How do you know? Last I heard, you werent even writing to him when he left. You were just friends. And how do you know hes arriving tomorrow?»
«My mother ran into Aunt Irene. Well, well see about that ‘just friends’ business. Thats what he thoughtwhat everyone thoughtbut Ive loved him for ages. I wont let him slip away now,» Emily said, beaming.
«Well, well, enjoy your delusions. I doubt youll catch Nicholas. Hes always been his own man. And now, after the army, hes probably grown up a bit, gained some sense. Back in school, he was such a scamp,» Rebecca replied, and Emily even looked a little offended.
Emily had always fancied Nicholas from the parallel classmischievous, quick-witted, but handsome. By the ninth form, hed shot up, taller than all the other lads, yet he never paid any of the girls special attention. They were all just mates to himjoking, spending evenings with his crowd. Never walked anyone home after the pictures.
Emily often found herself near him, learning when hed be at the village hall for a film, rushing there herself. Nicholas chatted with her, joked, even slung an arm around her once or twicebut nothing more. The girls secretly adored him, whispering among themselves:
«What a strange one, that Nicholas. All the other lads walk girls home, but he always goes alone.»
When Nicholas left for the army, some of the girls quietly began waiting. Each hoped that after his service, hed finally notice one of them. After all, hed have to settle down someday.
Elizabeth worked at the local school, transferred four years prior from the countryside where shed first taught after university. She lived with her mother, Anne, her father having died young. Her mother was relieved when Elizabeth moved to townno more lonely evenings. Though she sometimes mused:
«Glad as I am to have her here, shell marry someday»
That morning, Elizabeth saw her mother off to the busAnne was visiting her elder sisters cottage for the summer. Then Elizabeth headed to the school. Though term had ended, teachers still had work to do.
Her own life had seen little change. Shed been burned once, deceived by Philip, a fellow student. Hed promised to take her to his city, even proposedonly to back out at the last moment:
«Changed my mind, Lizzie. My parents expect me home alone. Goodbye.»
Heartbroken, shed taken the village posting. Now twenty-eight, shed never loved again.
Elizabeth was in the headmasters office discussing summer plans when the deputy peered in.
«Elizabeth, theres a young man asking for you.»
«How intriguing,» smiled the headmaster. Elizabeth shrugged.
«Curious myself. Ill see who it is.»
Stepping into the corridor, she spotted a man in uniform at the far end, gazing out the window. When he turned, smiling, she noted:
«Goodness, a paratrooperstrong, sturdy. Who could this be?»
They met halfway.
«Good afternoon, Miss Elizabeth.»
«Good afternoon. You were waiting for me?»
«Indeed. Who else?»
«Forgive me, but have we met?»
«Oh, long ago,» he said, his open smile deepening the dimples in his cheeks.
«Nicholas?» She recognized her former pupil, pressing her palms to her lips.
«The very same. Changed much?»
«My word, you have,» she said, embracing him. She patted his back, then stepped away, studying him.
«Let me look at you. A proper man nowbroad-shouldered, grown. Had I passed you in town, Id never have known.» Before her stood every girls dream.
«Now youre embarrassing me, Miss Elizabeth. These are for you,» he said, offering flowers. «Im just an ordinary bloke. But Id have called out if youd walked by.»
«How did you find me here?»
«Knew which school you taught at before I enlisted,» he said proudly. «Came straight from the station, duty done.»
«Where are you staying? Youve still to get to the village. Goodness, you must be starving. Wait, Ill fetch my bagyoull come to mine. Its close.»
As Elizabeth reheated lunch, Nicholas washed up, stripping to his undershirt in the heat. Entering the kitchen, he asked,
«Miss Elizabeth, need any help?»
«No, Nicholas, sit.»
She turned to the stove, stealing glances at his muscled frame, her heart fluttering. Nothing remained of the scrawny lad from the ninth form.
«Oh my. Whats come over me?»
Meanwhile, Nicholas fought the urge to embrace herthe kind, beautiful woman hed loved since school. His mate Simon had written that she was still single; Simons aunt was the schools deputy.
«Eat up, Nicholas,» Elizabeth said. «Well have tea after.»
They reminisced about her time at the village school where hed studied. Shed often felt his gaze but dismissed itback then, all the older boys noticed the young teacher.
«I wonder how the village fares. Who teaches in my place? Id love to see everyone.»
«Another young teacher, Victoria. My elder brother married her. Theyve a son now.» Nicholas paused, then blurted,
«Elizabeth» for the first time without her title, «I came for you. Marry me. Ive loved you since school.»
«Marry?»
«Aye. Im a man now, but my hearts unchanged.»
«But Nicholas, dear Nicholas, Im eight years older.»
«Forget that,» he said calmly, taking her hands. «Forget those years. They meant something when I was fourteen and you twenty-two. Now were evenIm no boy. Ill provide, protect.»
Drawing her onto his lapdazed, she barely resistedhe went on:
«Well be happy. Build a house in the village. Big, with room for children.»
Elizabeth, speechless, nodded.
«Ive not said yes, and youre planning children?»
«I saw it in your eyes. Set me alight.»
«You dreamer,» she laughed at last.
«Aye, that I am.»
They talked late into the night. Come morning, they set off for the cottage to meet Anne and announce their plans.
There, Nicholas dug garden beds, fixed the gate. The women bustled indoors.
«Handy, arent you?»
At lunch, they shared their news. Anne and her sister were stunned but pleased. Seeing Annes wistfulness, Nicholas said,
«Dont fret about staying alone. Well build our home and bring you. The village is lovelyyoull adore it. My mothers kindElizabeth knows.»
Later, boarding the train, Nicholas called ahead:
«Expect me at six. I shant be alone.»
«Whos he bringing?» wondered Irene.
«Wait and see,» said her elder son, Robert.
At the station, Robert gaped at his brothernow taller, broader.
«Blimey, the armys done you good!»
Then, spotting Elizabeth: «Miss Elizabeth?»
Irene embraced them both.
«Youve not forgotten us! But how did you meet Nicholas?»
«Mum, questions later,» Nicholas laughed.
Inside, Robert poured wine. Nicholas stood.
«Since youre wonderingElizabeth and I are to wed.» Silence fell. Then Irene burst out laughing.
«Im delighted! Positively delighted!» She turned to Victoria, expecting her second child, and crowed:
«Elizabeth taught here before you, Victoria. Now youll be on leave, and shell take your placethen swap when she has a babe!»
The table erupted in laughterjust as Emily and Rebecca arrived.
«We heard Nicholas was back»
«Come in,» said Robert. «Weve newsNicholas is engaged.»
The girls exchanged looks but stayed briefly before slipping away.
