One Week in August

by Margaret Thornton

  ‘What an amazing coincidence it was that we were both in the Winter Gardens that night,’ said Sam. ‘But we’d have got together sometime, I’m sure we would, you and me. There you were, right under my nose all the time, and I didn’t realize.’

  ‘Well, we’re together now, aren’t we? And that’s all that matters,’ said Val happily. ‘What a lot has happened since last August! Cissie’s married to Walter, and they’ve got a baby …’

  ‘Paul’s quite well again now, is he?’

  ‘Yes, he seems to have made a good recovery. I was worried sick when Cissie told me he’d gone into hospital with meningitis. I’d been looking after him, and I wondered if I should have got the doctor myself. But they’ve no phone, and I couldn’t have left him. But he’s fine again now, thank goodness. Cissie’s planning a grand christening party to follow the service in church. She’s thrilled to bits with her little boy now, I’m glad to say, but it took a while.’

  ‘Yes, I suppose it was a shock to her, having to get married in a hurry like that. It was the same with Jonathan and Thelma, although she’s more level-headed than Cissie, and they’ve no financial worries, not so far. I could never have imagined Jonathan as a father, but he’s really over the moon with little Rosemary. He’s a different person since she was born, well, since they were married, I suppose. And Mother’s a lot easier to get on with these days.’

  ‘So it’s all “Happy Families”, is it?’ said Val. ‘I’m certainly relieved that she’s got used to me being around. I was really worried when we got back from Blackpool. I thought … well, it was good while it lasted, but it’s never going to work.’

  ‘And I was determined that it would … You’ve no worries about us now, have you, darling? I’m so sure, you see.’

  ‘No, none at all.’ She turned to smile at him, and he kissed her again.

  ‘So it’s all ended happily,’ said Sam.

  ‘Yes, it has, for us. But it’s not been such a good year for Janice in Blackpool, losing her mother so suddenly. A year ago Mrs Butler was very healthy and energetic. I still can’t believe she’s gone. Janice must be devastated, and her father and brother as well.’

  ‘She’s still with that RAF lad that she met, isn’t she?’

  ‘Yes. Phil’s been helping out at the hotel, but they’re closing down very soon, before the end of the season. They didn’t have many bookings for September and October, so they’ve found accommodation for the guests at nearby hotels, and they’re closing at the end of August. The hotel’s already up for sale, so Janice said in her letter, and her dad’s looking for a little house for the three of them.’

  ‘And Phil will go back home to Yorkshire, I suppose?’

  ‘Yes, I think that’s the idea. Janice is going to a catering college in Blackpool in September, to learn about hotel management as well as the cookery side of it. It’s a daytime course, for a year, and she’ll be living at home with her father and brother. But I’m sure she’ll see Phil whenever she can. They’ve been working together for several months, so it will be hard for them to be apart. I hope I’ll be able to keep in touch with them.’

  ‘Well, Ilkley’s not so far away, is it? That was another lucky meeting in the Winter Gardens, wasn’t it, for Janice and Phil? I remember poor Cissie being down in the dumps that night because both of you had “struck lucky”, as you might say!’

  Val laughed. ‘Yes, I think that was why she cottoned on to that Jack … whatever he’s called. Jack Broadbent, I think that’s his name. He was a real shifty character, but she wouldn’t listen. You couldn’t blame her, I suppose … He let her down badly, but the good thing to come out of it is that she got together with Walter. He’s a good husband, and she’s realized that now.’

  They headed back towards the country inn at the side of the lake, where they were staying. It had come up to all their expectations for food, comfort and friendliness. They had separate rooms, next door to one another, with a view across the lake to the distant mountains.

  They dined sumptuously again that evening on freshly caught salmon, with new potatoes and a variety of salads, followed by a cream gateau, rich with fruit and flavoured with liqueur. After they had drunk the coffee that ended the meal Val suggested that they should take a stroll, as they had done the previous evening.

  ‘We need to walk off that enormous meal,’ she suggested. But Sam had other ideas.

  ‘Perhaps not tonight,’ he said, ‘although I know what you mean. We’ll certainly have put on a few pounds by the time we go home. No … I think it’s time for a celebration.’

  They went upstairs, and he led her into his room. There, on the dressing table, was an ice bucket containing a bottle, which Val guessed might be champagne and, at the side, two glasses which she had learnt were called champagne flutes. Val sat down on the easy chair and Sam perched on the edge of the bed opposite to her. He leaned forward.

  ‘Valerie … you’ve reminded me, although I could hardly forget, that it’s exactly a year since we met. It’s been a wonderful year, getting to know you and growing closer to you every day. And I know now that I want this to be forever. I love you, Val … and I think you feel the same way about me?’

  ‘You know I do, Sam,’ she replied. ‘I love you too, so very much.’

  He stood and went to the dressing table where he opened a drawer and took out a tiny leather box. He knelt down in front of her and took hold of her hands, then he leaned forward and kissed her gently.

  ‘Valerie, my darling,’ he said, ‘will you marry me? That’s all I want to know. It’s as simple as that.’ She stared at him for a moment. This had come right out of the blue. He had not even hinted at what was in his mind. There was a tiny frown on his face as he regarded her anxiously.

  Then she answered him. ‘Of course I will, Sam. But … it’s rather unexpected. I’d no idea.’

  ‘Oh, come on now, you must have had an idea. That’s why I asked you to come away with me, to be completely on our own.’ He opened the box and took out a ring in the shape of a dainty flower, a central sapphire surrounded by small diamonds. ‘I hope it fits,’ he said, taking hold of her left hand and placing it on her third finger.

  ‘It’s beautiful,’ she said, ‘and it’s a perfect fit.’ She laughed. ‘I sound like Cinderella, but it’s not a slipper. Oh, Sam, this is all so amazing!’

  ‘And you are amazing, too,’ he said as their lips met in a kiss full of tenderness and longing.

  ‘Get up off your knees,’ she said with a giggle, ‘and let’s have a taste of that champagne.’

  ‘It’s from the bar downstairs,’ he said. ‘I didn’t tell them what we were celebrating, but they probably had a good idea.’

  Sam drew out the cork slowly and carefully, but was unable to prevent a fountain spraying across the room, although probably not as much as it appeared to be. He poured the sparkling pink champagne into the glasses and handed one to Val. He sat on the bed and she sat next to him.

  ‘Here’s to us,’ he said. ‘To you and me. May we always be as happy as we are today.’

  ‘To us …’ she repeated as they touched their glasses then took a sip of the fizzy drink. To Val champagne never tasted much different from lemonade, but of course she did not say so.

  ‘This is the happiest day of my life,’ she said. ‘But you do know, don’t you, that I’m not twenty-one yet?’

  ‘But you will be next month …’

  ‘Yes, but I’m still – officially – under age. I’m sure my parents will be delighted, but perhaps you should have a word with them before we tell anyone else?’

  Sam smiled. ‘Yes, maybe I should do it the old-fashioned way and ask your father for your hand in marriage. He isn’t likely to refuse, is he?’

  ‘No, I’m sure he will be pleased, and so will Mum, although they might not have expected it quite so soon.’

  ‘But I’m sure, and so are you, so there’s no point in waiting any longer … to become engaged, I mean. And also …’ he said with
a questioning smile, ‘to move our relationship on a stage further? I’ve held back, Valerie, darling. I’ve tried to curb my feelings for you until I was sure that you loved me, too. I know that I love you in every possible way, and I hope, so much, that you feel the same?’

  Val felt a slight blush colour her cheeks as she answered, ‘Yes, I do, Sam. I’ve never felt surer about anything.’ She looked down at the sparkling ring on her finger. ‘I love the ring, it’s so beautiful. Just what I would have chosen myself. How very clever you are, and just the right size as well.’

  ‘Yes, I bought it in Leeds a couple of weeks ago, with the understanding that they could make it larger or smaller. I felt sure you would like the design, and I was almost sure that you would say yes. All the same, my heart was in my mouth until you gave me an answer.’

  ‘I shall wear it with pride while we’re away,’ she said. ‘But when we get home perhaps I’d better keep it hidden until you’ve seen my parents. Then we can tell everybody, can’t we?’ A sudden thought struck her. ‘Do your parents know about this?’ she asked. It was his mother that she was really thinking about.

  ‘No, not yet. I’ve told Jonathan and Thelma. They were very pleased, and not at all surprised.’

  Val reflected how Sam’s brother had changed over the past year. She knew that his change of heart had been brought about by the support he had had from Sam about his hasty marriage, and also by Thelma’s attitude towards her, Val, and her relationship with Sam. She had found the young woman to be an unexpected ally and she looked forward to furthering their friendship.

  ‘I don’t think my parents will be surprised either,’ said Sam. ‘We will see your parents first, of course, then you must be with me when I tell mine that we are engaged and will soon be married. It will be soon, won’t it, darling?’

  ‘I hope so,’ she replied. ‘When do you think it should be? Next spring, or summer?’

  ‘A spring wedding would be perfect. Maytime, perhaps? I’d really like it to be as soon as possible, but I suppose there will be all sorts of preparations to be made. You can be sure when my mother has got used to the idea – and I think she already has – there will be no stopping her. It will have to be the wedding of the year, like Jonathan and Thelma’s.’

  Val looked thoughtful as she answered. ‘I would really prefer it to be … just a nice friendly occasion, nothing too flashy. My parents will be involved as well, you know – the parents of the bride – and they’re not used to “a lot of palaver”, as my dad might say.’

  ‘Let’s not worry about it now,’ said Sam. ‘Tonight is just about us, you and me.’ He raised his glass again, and Val did the same. ‘To you and me,’ he said, and Val repeated the words. They put their glasses down, and he took her in his arms in a passionate embrace.

  Their love making was tender as well as ardent. Sam made sure that she would not find herself in the predicament that Thelma and Cissie had done. He was gentle and considerate, and Val felt that she was truly loved and cherished.

  She returned to her own room at midnight, but lay awake for a while recalling with delight and wonder the happenings of the day. And looking forward to a future that was full of promise.