by Millie Gray
‘Kate’s three are settling then?’
‘Yes, for now, but as the boys grow into young men who knows what they will do? Israel just might tempt them. But as Aunt Kate says, life is like what it says in the bible . . . you get the fat times and the lean times. The one thing for sure is we keep moving on.’
Mike had now driven his car into the side of the road. ‘Right Kitty, time for you to get off.’
Kitty looked about. They were nowhere near the St Austell train station. ‘But, Mike, I have to catch the ten o’clock train.’
Mike by now was out of the car and had gone round and lifted her luggage out of the boot. He then proceeded to the car that was parked in front of his. Slinging Kitty’s large case into the already open boot he then handed Kitty her small overnight bag.
‘What’s going on?’
By now Felix had come round to shut the boot.
‘Kitty,’ Mike said, as he took hold of her by the shoulders, ‘It’s your life. And believe me I’m not telling you what to do but you and Felix have a long haul home in front of you so it’s up to both of you to get yourselves sorted out.’
‘But Mike . . . I’ve missed my train.’
‘Yeah, but you might not have missed the boat.’ With these final words Mike grabbed hold of Kitty and kissed her on both cheeks. ‘Good luck, Kitty.’ With five long strides he was back in his own car.
There was nothing else Kitty could do other than get herself into the passenger seat beside Felix. However, she was further put out when Mike pulled out to pass Felix’s car and both of them saluted each other.
‘When was all this arranged? I didn’t even know that you knew Mike.’
‘Amazing what can get sorted out on the golf course. I like Mike. I think, in the near future, he and I will become very good friends . . . very good friends indeed.’
Kitty twittered.
‘And he will referee any future problems that may arise between you and Laura.’
‘You think so?’
‘Know so. Now sit back and relax. By the way, we are going to break our journey for the night. I know a lovely little hotel, The Wild Boar, in Bowness-on-Windermere in the Lake District.’
‘But I need to go straight home. I intend to look for a job tomorrow. I have to look for a job tomorrow. I can’t live on fresh air.’
‘Just relax. You will love staying in this hotel. And stop sulking . . . I am just trying to make it up to you for spoiling your time with Laura.’
On arrival at The Wild Boar, Kitty was impressed. It was one of those little country places that you hoped that, some day, you would be able to stay in. However, as they proceeded to the reception, Felix confided to her that the hotel had lovely rooms with four-poster beds. ‘Oh no!’ she exclaimed as she drew up abruptly. ‘Don’t you realise I have never slept with a man!’
He shrugged. ‘Oh, give me credit for having worked that one out.’
She ignored his comment. ‘And what is furthermore, as a teenager, I promised my mother I would remain a virgin until my wedding night.’
‘I see. But your mother is dead.’
‘She is. But a promise is a promise and I will not break my promise to her for anyone. So get along and book two single rooms.’
‘No need. I phoned ahead from Carlyon Bay and did just that.’
It was quite late when Kitty got herself into bed. After the scene she had made when she had insisted on a single room for herself, she tried to make amends. They had had their dinner by the dancing flames of the log fire, and as the heat warmed the chill of the May evening, she relaxed. Felix chatted away, especially about himself, and he confided to her that very soon he would be appointed King’s Counsel. He then went on to talk about his looming fortieth birthday. He was quite open about turning forty in June and this admission jolted Kitty. She was just going on twenty-five so her imagining that he was trying to seriously and honourably court her was just so ridiculous. It was true what Laura had said in that Kitty had visions of getting above herself. No way would an advocate, soon to be a King’s Counsel, wish to marry a nurse, even if she was a virgin.
Kitty was already sitting in the passenger seat awaiting Felix, who was settling up the bills for the overnight accommodation. It was a lovely sunny day but somehow she felt a chill settling into her bones. This, she knew, was because she was dreading saying goodbye to Felix. Yes, it had been such a lovely time with him, but she very reluctantly accepted that when they arrived home, they would have to go their separate ways.
Once Felix was in the car, he half turned towards her and as he manoeuvred the car backwards out of the parking bay he said, ‘Date for your diary. Saturday the 29th October 1949.’
‘But I thought you said that your birthday was next month and you were not going to have a party.’
‘That’s right.’
‘So what is so special about Saturday the 29th October 1949?’
‘Just that it will be our wedding day and I have booked us a four-poster-bedded suite for our honeymoon.’
‘Are you joking?’
‘No, never been so serious in my life.’ He now turned to face her full on. ‘Kitty,’ he began as he sought for her hand. ‘Now we have found each other again, let’s not waste the next few years courting. I love you . . . have done so from the day you first spoke to me outside St Giles’ Cathedral.’ He exhaled before adding, ‘And I think, no I know, that you love me. What I am saying is that I am offering to look after you, care for you - spoil you. We have so much going for us . . . let’s not waste any more time.’
Kitty allowed a moment to elapse before nodding. He smiled. Then after two or three passionate kisses he started to steer the car forward.
Feeling elated, she relaxed back into her seat. And as she settled down for the long haul, she mused, Isn’t it just so wonderful, to be adored by a mature man that you love and wish to spend the rest of your life with?
