Generations of Love

by Wendy Pulford

  Her statement shook him. He wondered if he had misheard her.

  ‘Catherine, come back to bed and talk about it in the warm. You’re getting cold, and I’m freezing. Please.’

  After a moment she turned in his arms and faced him.

  ‘Alright,’ she sighed. To his ears she sounded despondent, and he didn’t understand this sudden change in her.

  He picked her up in his arms and placed her back in the bed, drawing the covers around her, and when he lay down beside her he made sure that they were tucked down between them. He knew that just at this moment he should not touch her further.

  ‘Now then, talk to me.’

  ‘When we made love I know you took… er… certain precautions. But Alex, it’s something I should have thought about as well. I should have been more conscious of my own situation, but I wasn’t. I was so overwhelmed by the whole wonderful experience. I shouldn’t have relied upon you to do the right thing… but, dear Alex, it’s made me love you so much more because you took care of me. You must be thinking you deserve someone more mature than me. That’s why if you want to change your mind I shall understand…’

  Her voice died away, and from the look on her face, he realised that he must have registered the emotion he was feeling, a mixture of disbelief and anger.

  He took a deep breath and in slow, measured tones said, ‘Catherine Franklin, listen to me. I am going to have this discussion with you now and I never want to repeat it again. I love you, more than I could ever describe. I’m aware that modern women like to take charge of their own lives, but men should still be responsible for their actions. I knew there was no chance you were on the Pill, so I took appropriate precautions. I don’t think anything less of you for not reacting to the situation. Catherine, I want you as my wife, and to know that we can be together for the rest of our lives. I have asked you once to marry me and you have accepted. I will now ask you one more time. Will you marry me? And if you don’t say “Yes” I’ll keep you in this bed and kiss you to distraction until you do!’

  She strained against the covers to be in his arms but he held her away, still wanting her answer.

  ‘Oh please, Alex. Please let me marry you. I was so afraid for a moment. I love you so much.’

  He pulled back the covers and brought her against him. ‘That’s that, then. Can we get some sleep now, please?’

  He could feel her smiling as she burrowed into his arms, and he held her close until she was asleep.

  *

  Alex had no desire to leave the next morning, but he knew he had to, there were things – important things – to be done. He stood and watched Catherine, still fast asleep. He thought of the events of the weekend and the complete change in his life.

  He remembered the confidences Catherine had disclosed to him, and again his anger grew at the conduct of her uncle. As if aware of his scrutiny, Catherine stirred and opened sleep-filled eyes. Noticing that he was dressed, she struggled up in the bed.

  ‘Is it time for you to go?’

  Alex came and sat on the side of the bed. He ran a light finger over the soft skin of her shoulder.

  ‘I would very much like to stay,’ his tone was rueful, ‘but I must tear myself away, so cover yourself up, young lady!’

  ‘You will come back tonight won’t you?’ pleaded Catherine, gathering the covers up around her chin.

  Alex thought that it didn’t seem to matter if she was uncovered or not, he still wanted to remain with her. He heaved himself off the bed with a sigh.

  ‘Barring any accidents, I’ll come and see you. Any problems, and I promise to ring you. OK?’

  ‘I can’t wait until tonight.’

  Alex looked back at her from the doorway. She was sitting there in the large bed, swathed in rumpled covers with her slim arms wrapped round her knees. Her hair was a tangled mass of glossy brown, but he thought she had never looked more beautiful. He crossed back to her and planted a quick kiss on her lips, but before she could trap him with her soft arms he straightened up and left the room.

  If he hurried he could make it back to his flat, shower, change, and deal with his important errands before going to the office. He patted his pockets to confirm that he had everything he needed, which he had been fortunate to find while Catherine had still been asleep. If it all went according to plan he would have a surprise for her when he saw her tonight. He smiled to himself, happy at the thought.

  CHAPTER 21

  Catherine considered going back to sleep, after all it was only six o’clock, but she felt restless. She showered and dressed, and while eating her cereal she thought about the weekend. What was Sarah going to say? What might she think about Alex having stayed in the flat all weekend? After all, it was her flat, or rather, it belonged to her parents. Perhaps she ought not to say too much. She would have to think about this. Maybe she should have asked Alex what he thought. She felt he would have told Sarah the exact truth. If Sarah preferred her to leave, she would beg Alex to let her go and live with him before they were married.

  Just in case, she thought she had better change the linen on her bed, and was just coming back up from the basement laundry when she met Sarah on the main stairs.

  ‘Oh goodness, you’re back! I didn’t expect you until nearer lunchtime.’

  ‘Jerry wanted to get into work so we had to get up at some atrocious hour this morning. Good job I’m not on duty until tomorrow.’

  Back in the flat, Catherine went into the kitchen to make her friend a drink while she unpacked.

  ‘Was the laundry free? I’ve got some stuff to be done.’

  ‘Yes, I thought I’d get down there myself before everyone else. Shall I take yours down for you?’

  ‘In a while, I’ll have my coffee first to wake me up a bit.’

  Sarah sat down at the kitchen table and regarded her friend. ‘You’re looking much better, poppet, almost glowing!’

  Catherine brought over their coffee and sat down opposite her.

  ‘You spoke to Alex, didn’t you, Sarah?’

  ‘Yes, I did. I saw him outside the hospital one day and we had a talk. I told him about you and that I was worried and asked him to speak to you. He looked as unhappy as you did, and I told him so. I asked if he would come and see you. He said he would think about it. Did he come?’

  ‘Oh yes, he came!’

  ‘And…?’

  Catherine took a deep breath. ‘He stayed the whole weekend and we are going to be married.’

  If Catherine had announced she had proof that the world was flat, Sarah could not have looked more surprised. ‘You are joking, aren’t you?’

  ‘No, I’m not. Alex is coming back tonight and you can ask him yourself.’

  ‘But… but you don’t even know each other! I thought that the two of you could spend some time together, as friends, but not to go this far, so fast. Has he told you anything about himself? Does he know anything about you? Are you sure you know what you’re doing, Catherine? Marriage is quite a step, you know. Don’t you think that perhaps Alex was just being a gentleman and doing the honourable thing?’

  ‘I thought you liked Alex.’

  ‘I do. I like him a lot, and I know he would be good for you… given time.’

  ‘I understand what you’re saying, Sarah, but I’m certain, and so is Alex. We want to be together as soon as possible.’

  ‘You say he’s coming tonight? I think I’d better have a word with him.’

  ‘Sarah!’ Catherine’s tone was sharp. She realised she had never spoken to her friend in this way before. ‘You can speak with him if you want, but it won’t change our minds. Please be happy for me, Sarah.’ The last words were almost a plea for her understanding.

  ‘I want to be happy for you, that’s why I’m worried. I don’t know what more to say to you.’ She shook her head. ‘I think I’d better get on with
my laundry.’

  That remark set the tone for the day, and very little more was said between them.

  As Catherine tidied herself up in her bedroom that evening, she resolved to beg Alex to take her back to live in his flat. She couldn’t understand Sarah’s attitude. She had imagined her friend would have been happy for her.

  When the doorbell rang she raced through to the hall and wrenched open the door, and almost fell into the strong arms she loved.

  ‘Well, that’s some greeting, I must say. How’s my girl?’

  Alex moved them both inside the flat and shut the door behind him. He took one look at Catherine’s woebegone face and stood with her against the wall in the hall, shielding her with his body from any possible onlookers. ‘What’s wrong, my sweet? Tell me.’ He tried to turn her face up to his.

  ‘Please take me home with you, Alex’, she whispered into his neck. ‘I’ve told Sarah, and she seems very unhappy about everything.’

  ‘There’s no reason for her to be. I’ll speak with her. Nothing will change, so don’t worry. I’m sure everything will be fine. Let’s go through and have a word with her. I’ve something to show you, anyway.’

  They moved into the lounge. Alex made sure that his arm was round Catherine’s shoulders. He looked over at Sarah seated at the dining table.

  ‘Hello, Sarah. Did you have a good weekend?’

  ‘Yes, thank you, Alex. I hear you had an even better one.’

  He noted that her tone was cool. Well, there was nothing like coming to the point, he thought.

  ‘Indeed we did. I’m glad I took your advice.’ That’s at least apportioned the blame, he though to himself, not understanding her hostility. ‘This beautiful young lady has consented to become my wife and I have never been happier. I’d like to think, neither has Catherine. I trust you approve?’

  ‘I must admit the speed at which things have moved has surprised me a little.’

  The edge was still there, but Alex decided to ignore it. He looked down at the anxious face beside him and, smiling, reached into his jacket pocket and brought out an envelope.

  ‘I’ve something you might want to see in here’.

  He put the envelope in her hands. She looked at him for a moment and then opened it. The first things she saw were her passport and birth certificate.

  ‘How did you get these? Did you take them?’

  ‘Yes. Grand larceny, I’m afraid. Have a look at the paper with them.’

  His eyes were intent on her face as Catherine opened the paper and read the contents. He held his breath, just hoping.

  Catherine’s gasp of surprise and the glowing smile she bestowed on him were the exact reactions Alex had wanted to see.

  ‘Friday! This Friday? Oh Alex, how wonderful.’

  ‘I had to work very hard to achieve that, young lady. The trouble was that you’re registered at Richmond, not here. I could have done it through my own area, but I thought this would be nearer for you. I’m sure the Registrar thinks that I’m up to no good, so you might have to prepare yourself for some close questioning before the actual formalities. I cheated a bit by impressing on him that my professional duties were fluid and time was critical. I hope you approve?’

  ‘Approve? Of course, I approve. I told you to make it as soon as you could, and you have!’

  Catherine stretched up and placed her mouth against his, and ignoring Sarah’s presence Alex folded his arms around her and held the kiss for as long as he dared. They were both a little breathless when Catherine turned to Sarah and beamed at her.

  ‘We’re going to be married on Friday at Chelsea Registry Office! Alex has a Special Licence.’

  ‘There’s not much I can say then, is there? I hope everything works out for you both.’

  Alex still sensed the edginess in her. He needed to speak with her alone. He turned to Catherine.

  ‘I’m afraid I can’t stay long, but I wondered, if you sorted out some of your stuff, I could start taking it away with me.’

  ‘Oh yes, of course, what a clever thought. I haven’t even unpacked some things yet. Shall I go and sort some out now?’

  ‘A good idea, I think. Maybe Sarah will make me a cup of coffee?’ He looked over at the other girl, who nodded, having picked up on his meaning.

  Catherine raced off to her bedroom and Alex followed Sarah into the kitchen and closed the door. He sat down at the kitchen table.

  ‘It’s obvious you don’t approve. Why?’

  ‘Alex, it’s so quick! You don’t even know each other. I didn’t expect you to… well, you know… after you made a point of not taking advantage of her before. Are you marrying her because you’re afraid she could be pregnant? She’s not on the Pill, you know.’

  ‘It’s disappointing you don’t credit me with the attributes of a gentleman. I love Catherine and I would never have considered treating her in the way you’re referring to. I want her as my wife so that she can be with me as soon as possible, and I can take care of her. I can’t explain it, but I have this urge to protect her in any way I can, and by marrying me she will have legal protection as well. Sarah, when I came to see her I tried to give all the excuses I mentioned to you the other day. I did manage to walk away from her that night, but it almost killed me. For the first time in my life I shed tears.’ He looked up at Sarah. ‘Do you understand me? I cried at the thought of being without her. Then I made up my mind that somehow we would make it work between us. So I came back.’

  He kept his gaze on her and saw the shock register as he recounted the sight he had discovered on his return to the flat.

  Sarah sat down at the table and grabbed his hands. ‘Alex, had she taken anything? She didn’t tell me this!’

  ‘The tablets were because she had a headache, she told me later, but in the end she hadn’t taken any. She had cried so much she had sent herself to sleep. Can you imagine my relief? How would I have lived with the knowledge that because of me she had done herself some harm?

  ‘Her fear of dealing with men had been reinforced, because despite telling me she loved me, I had still walked away. There was no way I was leaving her again, Sarah. The first night I slept on the settee, but after I made my decision to propose to her, and she accepted, well… neither of us wanted to wait. I felt it had to happen for her to be sure.

  ‘It’s been a revelation, Sarah. It’s as if a door has been unlocked in her. I know it’s the right thing. You can see how happy she is. I know there will be problems, there are in any marriage, but I’m sure we can get through them. She still needs your friendship Sarah. She’s very upset that you’re not happy for her. Can we be friends again?’

  ‘I hadn’t realised it would affect her so, or I wouldn’t have suggested you call when I was away. Thank God it wasn’t what you thought, Alex!’ She managed to smile at him. ‘I know you love her and will take care of her, and that’s all I can ask. I’ll recover from the shock of all this some time, I suppose.’

  ‘Thank you, Sarah. I’d rather have you on my side than against me.’ He stood up and grinned at her. ‘Well, I suppose I’d better see just how little space I’m going to have left for my clothes now, I suppose.’

  It wasn’t as bad as he thought, and he soon had the couple of bags stored away in the Porsche.

  ‘I’m afraid I shall have to be going now,’ he told a crestfallen Catherine. ‘I seem to have so much to get out of the way this week. It might be difficult to see you again until Wednesday evening, but before I go, there’s one more thing. We need witnesses for Friday, and with your agreement I wondered if…’, he looked over at Sarah. ‘Would you and Jerry do the honours for us?’

  ‘Oh, please, Sarah. Please say you will. That would be perfect.’

  Sarah looked from one to the other and then smiled and nodded. ‘I think I should be free, and I’ll see what Jerry’s doing. I’ll let you know for sure to
morrow.’

  Catherine dashed over and hugged her friend, then she danced back to Alex. He smiled down into her happy face. ‘Come and say goodbye to me, wife-to-be.’

  CHAPTER 22

  ‘But Jerry, you must agree with me that it’s all gone too fast.’

  Sarah had called an emergency meeting with Jerry in the hospital cafeteria. After explaining her news to him, she was amazed at his enthusiastic response.

  ‘Where’s the problem? They love each other, that seems very clear.’

  ‘But they still don’t know each other. They need time to be friends and find out about each other.’

  ‘I’d have thought after one weekend together they’ve found out quite a bit about each other.’

  ‘Jerry!’

  Sarah’s shocked response brought a wide grin to Jerry’s face.

  ‘You know very well what I mean, Jerry.’

  ‘Look, Sarah, stop being so prudish. One thing is for certain. Alex and Catherine will never be friends.’ He held up his hand as she made to interrupt him. ‘Some relationships work in a different way to others. Theirs will no doubt swing between drama and making up, that’s the kind of personalities they have. Laughter, tears and love. Alex is experienced and, as he said to you, already knows how it will be, but he loves Catherine enough to forgive her most things. Catherine needs to look after someone who she is certain loves her, but I think she will also hold her corner on something she wants. It will be interesting to see who wins. Then you take us…’

  Again Sarah tried to speak but he took her hand and continued. ‘We have known each other now for, what… three years? We’ve come to know each other well over that time, in every way.’ His smile was soft. ‘You know what I’m talking about. That doesn’t mean we love each other any less than Alex and Catherine, just in a different way, because we’re different sorts of people. What we mustn’t do is get trapped in our comfy world. I’ve been meaning to have this sort of conversation with you for some time now, but in a more appropriate place.’ He looked around the busy room. ‘Sarah, I would very much like to marry you. I want to know that we can be together and start to build a proper life. I realise that your job is important to you, and I understand that, and I’m proud of your achievements, but I would like to think that we could make a proper home and have children together. Will you think about it for me, my dear?’