Spring Proposal in Swallowbrook

by Abigail Gordon

  They’d gone back to their respective patients after that and as the hours had ticked away Ruby had felt happier than she’d been in days. What harm could there be in them hosting together something along the lines he’d described?

  For all she knew, Hugo’s interest in her might be just a passing thing that would wane if he met someone else that he preferred, and irritatingly the memory of the new practice manager came to mind.

  When the day dawned the sun was shining, the sky was a clear blue, and as Ruby went across to the house with a big plastic apron over jeans and a T-shirt, carrying the food that she’d prepared the night before, there wasn’t a cloud in her sky either.

  She’d awakened to the thought that she was back in Swallowbrook, and was about to spend most of the day with Hugo on a purely friendly basis. So for the moment all was well with her world and the feeling persisted all the time that the two of them were preparing the food to serve to all those whose curiosity and appetites would bring them to Lakes Rise.

  Libby and Nathan were the first to arrive with Toby, and Ruby turned away from the pleasure in Hugo’s expression when the boy ran up to him for a hug while his adoptive parents looked on smilingly.

  ‘We’ll have to find you a beautiful bride so that you can start a brood of your own,’ Libby teased, and in the act of removing the big apron ready for serving the customers Ruby managed a pale smile.

  Hugo had sensed her withdrawal and when Libby and Nathan had gone to greet others who were arriving for the garden party he asked, ‘Are you all right, Ruby?’

  ‘Er…yes,’ she replied absently, as if bringing herself back from somewhere far away. ‘I’m fine.’ After that there was no more time for talking as there was food to serve and drinks to pour for residents and visitors to the Lakeland village on a bright sunny morning, but it didn’t stop Hugo from thinking that when Ruby had arrived at the stated time she had been even brighter than the sun up in the sky. With eyes sparkling she’d been ready to help him in what he’d undertaken and as they’d laughed and joked while working side by side he had been totally happy too.

  But with the arrival of Libby, Nathan and Toby, it was as if her light had gone out and he wondered why. Though she was serene enough now as she helped him to serve the food and drinks and he put his misgivings regarding her to one side.

  It was two o’clock, the garden party was over and all was tidy after their efforts when he said, ‘So are we going to the field to take part in the sports, or do I open a bottle of wine to toast ourselves as top-notch garden party hosts?’

  She was back on form and said laughingly, ‘Oh, definitely the wine. I don’t think I could even manage the egg and spoon race after this morning’s efforts, but I did so enjoy it, Hugo.’

  ‘Mmm,’ he murmured, observing her thoughtfully, ‘but not all the time, eh, Ruby? Your light went out when Libby and Nathan turned up with Toby, didn’t it? Why was that?’

  He had poured the wine and she was twisting the stem of the glass round between her fingers as she told him. ‘It was just a silly moment, that’s all, and it passed quickly enough.’

  ‘And you’re not prepared to tell me what it was about.’

  ‘Er, no.’

  He sighed. ‘Fair enough. Maybe one day I will get to know what it is that you keep so well hidden in your past, because it can’t be in your present, not the present since you arrived in Swallowbrook as I can tell that you are totally happy to be back here.’

  ‘Yes, I am,’ she agreed, and thought that coming back to the village was fantastic, but something even more wonderful than that had happened to her since her return, getting to know him. Still, it had its downside too as her love for him had brought the decision she’d made after genetic counselling to the forefront of every moment she spent with him, and there was no joy to be had from that!

  ‘So what have you got planned for tonight?’ Hugo asked as he refilled their glasses. ‘There is a talent competition at The Mallard, and the biggest of the passenger launches is doing a special Easter sail of the lake with supper included. What do you think of that?’

  She’d been going to say that she was having a quiet night in as it was the best way to batten down her feelings. Being close to him for so long today was weakening her resolve, but she hadn’t been able to resist when he’d asked her to help with the garden party, and now Hugo was tempting her again by suggesting they sail around the lake and have supper with the sun setting on the horizon on a balmy spring evening.’

  ‘But won’t the boat be fully booked with something like that on offer?’ she asked weakly.

  ‘Maybe,’ he replied, ‘but I’ve got tickets.’

  ‘So you were that sure I would come?’

  ‘Pretty much, yes, because I know how you love the lake. So is it on, Ruby, supper on the water? There will be a small orchestra on board so what more could we ask for? It’s also a chance to get dressed up and let others wait on you for a change!’

  It sounded wonderful, but she wasn’t going to be taken for granted too easily. ‘What if I’ve got something else planned?’

  ‘Have you?’

  ‘Well, no, not really, but don’t expect me to fall in with everything you suggest, Hugo. It will only be the worse for you if you do.’

  He was frowning. ‘Those sound like words of warning.’

  ‘Make of them what you like,’ she said gravely. ‘One day you might have cause to remember them.’

  The frown was deepening. ‘Is that a threat or a promise?’

  ‘Neither. You were right the first time, it was a warning.’

  Deciding that it was not the moment to pursue that kind of conversation, he said evenly, ‘So do you want to have supper with me on the lake, Ruby?’

  ‘Yes, please,’ she told him meekly.

  He was smiling now. ‘So why couldn’t you say so in the first place?’

  ‘Because…’

  ‘Because what?’

  ‘Just because, Hugo, and now I’m going to go and search amongst my clothes for something suitable to wear, and if I can’t find anything else it will have to be the red cape.’

  He was laughing. ‘Don’t even think of it. Why don’t I take you shopping and buy you something really beautiful to wear?’

  ‘I was never meant to be beautiful,’ she declared. ‘I belong to the ranks of the nondescript, but I might ring the hairdresser to see if she can fit me in for a makeover before I go home to change.’ And with the thought in mind she bade him a swift goodbye and went post haste down the hill to the main street of the village, leaving him wanting to tell her that to him she was beautiful.

  When Ruby opened the door of the apartment to him that evening he took a deep breath. If she’d been appealing before, she was enchanting now. Clearly the hair salon had done as she’d asked.

  The long swathe of her hair had gone. It had been shaped into a short stylish cut that showed off the contours of her face to their full advantage, the high cheek bones, the curve of the lips that he’d kissed gently on one occasion and in rising overwhelming passion on another, and the slender stem of her neck rising out of the bodice of a knee-length black dress. The dress in itself was nothing special. It was in keeping with the budget of a junior doctor. It was the woman inside it that gave it style, and he thought however much she might have attracted him before, nothing could compare to how she was affecting him now.

  He sensed a change in her. The wariness she always displayed when they were together was missing, her eyes were bright, her lips parted over even white teeth. The thought came that Ruby was a creature of moods. The one she was in tonight was most welcome, but would it last? Did he want someone who blew hot and cold all the time? But as she smiled at him with all the warmth that he wanted from her those thoughts were fleeting.

  ‘You look very sw
ish,’ he said in a low voice as they went out onto the drive. He gazed down at the boots with the incredible heels that she’d been wearing on the night that she’d appeared in his life for the first time. ‘I was going to suggest that we stroll down to the lake as it is so near, but I think maybe not.’ And he opened the door on the passenger side of the car.

  ‘I would have been fine,’ she said with a smile as brilliant as the sun at midday as she swung long legs inside and settled herself in the seat, ‘but if you insist…’ And within seconds they were off.

  If he had known the reason for the way she was glowing Hugo would have probably turned the car round and driven them back to the house, but as he didn’t he carried on to the lakeside where the big launch was waiting with a festive air about it, and once he’d parked the car they went on board and were shown to their table with all the airs and graces of a top hotel.

  As she looked around her Ruby was vowing to get every ounce of enjoyment out of this special night, because just for once she was going to forget about everything except the two of them, was going to pretend that she was just like other women, ordinary and without blight.

  It was going to be the only time that she was going to allow herself that pleasure. Once the night was over she would return to sanity, but not until she’d had this one wonderful evening with Hugo.

  It would be time to think about the consequences when it was over. Tonight was going to be theirs, and if he ever found out why and followed Darren Fielding’s example by easing himself out of their relationship, she would accept it and get on with her life as best she could.

  The night was magical. As the sun sank low on the horizon the lanterns came on around the lake and while they dined a small orchestra played. One of the musicians came to tables at one point and asked the diners if there was anything special they would like them to play. When he stopped beside theirs Ruby asked for a love song that she had long adored.

  ‘Why that?’ Hugo asked softly.

  ‘It is so beautiful,’ she said dreamily, and yearned to tell him that the words reminded her of him.

  A tear ran down her cheek. He saw it and immediately wanted to know what was wrong. It was all he seemed to do when they were together, he thought, a poor basis for the kind of relationship he wanted with Ruby, but her happiness was precious to him.

  When she smiled and said, ‘It was just a moment of nostalgia.’ He nodded, relieved that it wasn’t anything that might spoil the magic of the night.

  They’d finished the meal and when the orchestra began to play the music that Ruby had asked for Hugo took her hand and led her to where part of the upper deck had been set aside for dancing.

  The rest of the diners were still down below. They had the place to themselves as he took her in his arms. With the lamplit water all around them they began to dance slowly and languorously, so much in tune that it was as if the reckless mood that had taken hold of her as she’d prepared for the evening was real and everything else was a sham, when in truth it was the opposite.

  Ruby was feeling the same as he did, Hugo was telling himself. She was no longer wary of him for some reason and was accepting that they belonged together. The future was opening out before him. He could see her beside him, filling the empty space in his bed for evermore, with her desire equalling his, and their children playing in the grounds of Lakes Rise with the two of them looking on fondly hand in hand.

  As if she was reading his mind, she said suddenly, ‘I need my wrap, Hugo, it’s getting chilly out here. Shall we go back to the table?’

  ‘Yes, of course,’ he agreed evenly, aware that her mood was no longer matching his for some reason.

  Ruby was panicking. She’d been crazy to think she could spend the evening with Hugo on the crest of a feeling of false euphoria born on the determination that everything in her life should be normal for once. That she should be like any other woman truly in love, honest and open, passionate and caring, but out of those things passion was the only thing she could be truthful about and that would have to last her a lifetime once she’d shut Hugo out of her life.

  Aren’t you making a big thing out of something small? the voice of reason was saying as they walked back to the table. They’d left it with Hugo’s arm around her and returned to it as separate people. It isn’t as if what you’ve got is catching. Yet it is, she thought, not in the usual way, but it is something that can be passed on and the wonderful man sitting opposite deserves better than that for his children.

  Was it the moment to tell Hugo the reason why her moods changed so frequently while his were so constant? The words were on her lips but she couldn’t say them. He hadn’t asked her to marry him, or even told her he loved her, so some fool she would look if she opened her heart to him and he had no such ideas in mind, and she tried to repair what was left of the evening by saying, ‘It felt really chilly out there. Maybe I should have dressed in something warmer.’

  ‘Yes, maybe you should,’ he commented in the same flat tone as when he’d agreed to her suggestion that they should break into those precious moments up on deck by going back to their table in the restaurant.

  This was going to be it, he was deciding sombrely. Ruby wasn’t ready for what he wanted from her, even though it had seemed that she was when she’d opened the door to him earlier and all through the evening, until now, when it was as if she’d shrunk back into her shell, and if she wasn’t prepared to discuss it with him he could only draw his own conclusions.

  She had turned the evening of delight into an ordeal for both of them, she thought as they wished each other a brief goodnight outside the apartment a little later, and as Hugo strode purposefully towards the house she wanted to run after him and explain about the misery and the feeling of loss that she had to live with, but could she endure watching his reaction if she did?

  On Easter Sunday morning there was always a faith lunch in the village hall after the service in the church, when everyone brought an item of food, sweet or savoury, towards a buffet, and after a sleepless night Ruby decided to attend both the service and the lunch, with the thought in mind that it would shorten what was going to be a long and miserable day.

  She was seated at the back of the church, waiting for the service to start with palm leaves and the heady scent of Easter lilies all around her, when Hugo appeared. As she shrank back out of sight she saw that close behind him was Laura Armstrong, the new practice manager, and her children and unbelievably the four of them seated themselves opposite.

  It went without saying that Hugo was going to see her, she thought, wishing herself far away, but he was chatting to the children, who would shortly be enrolling at the village school, while their mother looked on approvingly, and she thought what a nice family cameo they presented.

  Laura must have come to stay in Gordon’s house over the weekend she decided. The repairs that she’d arranged were already under way so maybe she’d come to check on progress and to acclimatise herself with village life while she was there.

  If Hugo had already known that Laura was going to be around he hadn’t said anything about it while they’d been together the night before, though the reason for that might be because he’d been too occupied in writing her, Ruby, off as a non-starter when it came to love.

  He looked across eventually and smiled briefly. On seeing the direction of it, Laura smiled too and Ruby knew that she was going to like the new practice manager in spite of her monopolising Hugo whenever she was around.

  As the food and drink for the faith lunch were being set out after the service she asked the vicar’s wife if she could help in any way and was quickly found the job of serving tea, coffee and cold drinks from a table separate from the rest, instead of being able to hide herself away in the big country kitchen where the food was being prepared, and of course the moment came when next in the queue in front of her were Hugo and the A
rmitage family, asking for two soft drinks and two coffees, and with colour rising she served them and wished herself far away. When the others had wandered off to find a table Hugo lingered behind and asked chattily, as if they hadn’t spent the previous evening misunderstanding each other, ‘How are you this morning?’

  ‘All right, I suppose,’ she replied, and continued the charade. ‘How are you, Hugo? I see you’ve got company.’

  ‘Er, yes,’ he agreed absently, as if his thoughts were somewhere else. ‘I met Laura and the children on my way to church and as they are strangers to Swallowbrook took them under my wing. They’re here for a couple of days while she visits some of the local tradesmen to get estimates for the work she’s having done, and to cast her eye upon what has been done already, but you asked if I’m all right, Ruby.

  ‘The answer to that is I would be if I thought that you felt the same about the two of us as I do, but I’m a patient man, Ruby, I can wait.’ And on that comment he went to join the Armitage family.

  A short distance behind him in the queue elderly John Gallagher had been observing them and thought that their body language wasn’t easy to understand. There had been no signs of disagreement about it, but neither had there been any evidence of the mutual attraction he’d seen every time he called into the surgery. So had it died a death? he wondered.

  He had a feeling that he, John, might know something that the other man didn’t, though he wasn’t even sure of it himself. But he remembered the crisis that Ruby Hollister’s family had been facing when they’d been involved in leaving the village, and how he had acted swiftly to get their toddler fast treatment in a life-and-death situation when he’d suspected he had haemophilia.

  They’d moved as planned after he’d got the boy sorted and he’d sent their notes to the practice they’d registered with in Tyneside, so he’d never known the final results of the trauma except that young Robbie did have the illness and was being treated by a hospital there.