Life has its own way of unfolding.
«Betty, Ive got news for youNigels coming back from the army tomorrow, so well be getting married soon. Youll have to come to the wedding,» chattered Amelia.
«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 whether were just friends or not. Thats what he thoughtwhat everyone thoughtbut Ive loved him for ages. I wont let him slip away now,» Amelia said, beaming.
«Alright then, be happy. I doubt youll reel Nigel in, though. Hes always been his own man. And now, after the army, hes probably grown up, got a bit more sense. Back in school, he was such a scamp,» Betty replied, and Amelia bristled slightly.
Amelia had always fancied Nigel from the parallel classyes, a bit of a scamp, quick-witted but handsome. By the ninth form, hed shot up taller than all the other lads, yet he never paid any special attention to the girls. They were all just mates to himjoking, strolling about with his friends in the evenings. Never singled anyone out, never walked anyone home after the pictures.
Amelia often found excuses to be near him. If she heard he was going to the village hall with his mates, shed rush there too. Nigel chatted with her, teased her, even slung an arm around her shoulders now and thenbut never more than that. The girls secretly fancied him, whispering among themselves:
«Nigels a strange one. All the other lads walk girls home, but he always goes off alone at night.»
When Nigel left for the army, the girls saw him offsome secretly waiting, each hoping hed return with a new seriousness, perhaps even choose one of them. After all, hed have to settle down someday, wouldnt he?
Charlotte worked at the local school, transferred there four years earlier from the countryside, where shed gone straight after university. She lived with her mother, Anne, her father having passed young. Anne had been relieved when her daughter moved from the village to townat least she wasnt alone anymore. Though she often mused:
«Im glad Charlottes with me, but one day shell marry»
That morning, Charlotte saw her mother onto the busAnne was off to the allotment to visit her elder sister, summer having begun. Charlotte herself walked on to the school. Though term had ended, teachers still had work to do.
In matters of the heart, Charlotte had seen little change. Once burned by Paul, a university mate whod promised to take her to his city, even proposedonly to back out at the last moment:
«Changed my mind about marrying you, Charlie. Parents expect me home alone. So long.»
Shed weathered it, leaving for the village to teach. Now twenty-eight, shed never fallen in love since.
Charlotte was in the headmasters office discussing summer plans when the deputy head popped in:
«Charlotte, theres a young man asking for you.»
«Fancy that! Who could it be?» the headmaster smiled. Charlotte shrugged.
«Curious myself. Ill see.»
Stepping into the corridor, she spotted the young man at the far end, his back turned as he gazed out the windowin uniform. When he turned and grinned, she thought:
«Goodness, a paratrooperstrong, broad-shouldered. Who on earth?»
They met halfway down the hall.
«Good afternoon, Miss Charlotte.»
«Afternoon. You were waiting for me?»
«Indeed. Who else?»
«Forgive me, but have we met?»
«Oh, long ago,» he said with an open smile, dimples showing.
«Nigel?» she gasped, pressing her hands to her lips.
«The very same. Changed much?»
«My word, thats an understatement,» she said, embracing him. She patted his back, then stepped away, looking him over.
«Let me see you. What a man youve becomebroad in the shoulders, all grown up. Had I passed you in town, Id never have known.» Before her stood a lad whod make any girls heart flutter.
«Flatterer,» he laughed, finally handing her flowers. «Im just an ordinary bloke. But you wouldnt have walked pastId have called out.»
«How did you find me here?»
«Knew which school you taught at before I even enlisted,» he said proudly. «Came straight from the station, duty done, free as a bird.»
«Where are you staying? Youve still to get back to the village. And you must be starving. Right, let me fetch my bagyoure coming to mine. Its not far.»
While Charlotte reheated lunch, Nigel washed up. The heat had him shed his uniform, down to his undershirt. Returning to the kitchen, he asked:
«Need a hand, Miss Charlotte?»
«No, Nigel, sit down.»
She turned to the stove, secretly stealing glances. His muscled frame sent her pulse racing. Nothing remained of the scrawny lad from the ninth formthis was a different man entirely. She stood there, spoon pressed to her lips.
«Goodness, whats come over me?»
Meanwhile, Nigel fought the urge to embrace her. Hed loved Miss Charlotte since schoolso kind, so lovely. He knew she wasnt married; his mate Steven had written as muchhis aunt was the schools deputy head.
«Eat up, Nigel,» Charlotte said. «Well have tea after.»
They reminisced about her time at the village school where hed been her pupil. Shed noticed his glances then but brushed them offall the older boys eyed the young teacher.
«Wonder how the village fares now? Whos taken my place? Id love to see everyone.»
«Thatd be young Vera. My elder brother married her quick sharp. Theyve a son now.» Nigel paused, gathering courage. «Charlotte,» he said, dropping the formality for the first time, «Ive come for you. Marry me. Ive loved you since school.»
«Marry?»
«Aye. Im asking properly. Ive grown, but my heart hasnt changed.»
«But Nigel, darling Nigel, theres eight years between us.»
«Forget that,» he said calmly, taking her hands. «Forget those years. They meant something when it was fourteen and twenty-two. Now? Now Im a man. Ill provide, protecttake care of my family.»
He drew her onto his lapshe was too stunned to resist.
«Well be happy. Build a house in the villagebig enough for children to run wild.»
Charlotte, speechless, could only nod.
«Ive not even said yes, and youre on about children.»
«Saw it in your eyes. Burned right through menear set me alight.»
«What a dreamer,» she finally laughed.
«Aye, that I am.»
They talked late into the night. Come morning, they set off for the allotment to meet Anne and share their newsCharlotte was leaving for the village with Nigel.
There, Nigel took up a spade, turned the soil. «Plant what you like,» he grinned, then fixed the wobbly gate. The women busied themselves at the table.
«Handy lad, Ill give you that.»
Over lunch, Charlotte and Nigel announced their engagement. Anne and her sister were astonished but pleased. Nigel noticed Annes sadness.
«Dont fret about being alone in town. Well build our house and fetch you. The village is lovelyyoull like it. My mothers kindCharlotte knows.»
After, they caught the train to the village. Nigel rang ahead:
«Be there by six. And Im not alone.»
«Whos he bringing?» Irene wondered. «A lass?»
«Guessing wont help,» said his elder brother, Edward. He and his wife Verapregnant againlived nearby and knew Nigel was due back.
«Best set the table,» Vera said.
Irene kept glancing out the window but still missed them arrivingonly spotting them at the gate: her son, now broad and tall, and Miss Charlotte, his former teacher.
«Mum, Nigels here!» Edward bolted outside, embracing his brothernow half a head taller and twice as broad.
«Proper soldier, arent you? Strong as an ox.» Then, remembering himself: «Miss Charlotte.»
Irene rushed out, hugging her son.
«Charlotte, love! Fancy you coming. Everyone remembers you fondly here. Howd you two meet?»
«Mum, enough questions. Lets not stand about.»
«Right you arecome in!»
At the table, Edward poured wine. Nigel stood.
«I reckon youre all wondering why were together. Charlottes agreed to marry me.» He drank alonethe room stunned to silence.
Charlotte clasped her hands; Nigel covered them with his. Then Irene burst out laughing.
«Im glad, Nigel. Charlotte, Im ever so glad.» She glanced at Vera, laughing harder. All eyes turned to her.
«Charlotte taught here before you, Vera. Now youll be off on maternity leave, and shell take your place!» She wiped her eyes. «Then shell be off, and youll cover for her. Back and forth!»
The table erupted in laughter. Just then, Amelia and Betty slipped in.
«Hello! Heard Nigel was back, so we»
«Well, come in,» Edward said, as Nigel kept an arm around Charlotte. «Weve newsNigels engaged. Wedding soon.»
The girls exchanged glances but sat briefly before excusing themselves.
