Life always has its own plans.
“Emma, Ive got news for you,” chattered Amelia, her voice brimming with excitement. “Olivers coming back from the army tomorrow. Were getting married soon, so youll have to come to the wedding!”
“How do you even know that?” Emma raised an eyebrow. “Last I checked, you two werent writing letters when he left. You were just friends. And how do you know hes arriving tomorrow?”
“My mum ran into Auntie Margaret. And as for friendswell, well see about that. Thats what he thought, what everyone thought. But Ive loved him for ages. Now I wont let him slip away.” Amelia beamed.
“Dont get your hopes up,” Emma scoffed. “I doubt youll reel Oliver in that easily. Hes always been his own man. And now, after the army? Hes probably grown up, got some sense in himunlike back in school when he was just a cheeky lad.”
Amelia flinched slightly, stung by the remark.
Shed always fancied Oliver from the year abovescruffy, quick-witted, but undeniably handsome. By Year Nine, hed shot up, taller than all the other lads. Yet, he never paid any of the girls much attention. They were all just mates to himjoking around, hanging out with his mates in the evenings. Never singled anyone out, never walked anyone home after the cinema.
Amelia made sure she was always near him. If she heard he was going to the pictures with his mates, shed dash to the village hall too. Oliver would chat with her, laugh, even sling an arm around her shouldersbut nothing more. The girls whispered about him in hushed tones.
“Olivers a bit odd, isnt he?” theyd murmur. “All the other lads walk girls home. But hes always alone at night.”
When Oliver left for the army, some of the girls secretly waited. Each hoped that when he returned, hed finally pick one of them. After all, hed have to settle down someday, wouldnt he?
Meanwhile, Eleanor worked at a school in the district. Shed been transferred there four years ago from a village where shed started teaching fresh out of university. She lived with her mother, Margaret, her father having passed away years ago. Margaret had been relieved when Eleanor moved to the cityat least she wouldnt be alone in the flat. Though sometimes shed sigh and say,
“Im glad youre here, love, but one day youll marry”
That morning, Eleanor saw her mother off at the bus stop. Margaret was heading to her elder sisters cottagesummer had begun, and the garden needed tending. Eleanor walked on towards the school. Even though term had ended, there was still work to be done.
Her love life had stalled since her last heartbreak. Paul, a fellow student, had promised to take her with him to the city. Hed even proposed. But at the last moment, hed said,
“Changed my mind, Ellie. My parents expect me back alone. So goodbye.”
Shed packed her grief away and left for the village. Now, at twenty-eight, she hadnt loved since.
Eleanor was in the headmasters office, planning summer work, when the deputy popped her head in.
“Eleanor, theres a young man asking for you.”
“Well, well,” the headmaster chuckled. “Seems someones taken an interest in our Miss Eleanor.”
She shrugged. “Ill go see.”
At the end of the corridor stood a man in uniform, his back turned as he gazed out the window. When he turned, his grin was broad, dimples pressing into his cheeks.
“Blimey,” she thought. “A paratrooper. Strong, fit. Who on earth?”
They met halfway.
“Hello, Miss Eleanor.”
“Hello. You were waiting for me?”
“Course I was. Who else?”
“Im sorry, do we know each other?”
“Oh, we do. For a long time.” His smile was easy, warm.
“Oliver?” Her hands flew to her lips.
“Thats me. Changed much, have I?”
“Good Lord, thats putting it mildly.” They embraced. She patted his back, then stepped away, studying him.
“Look at you. A proper man now. Broad-shouldered, grown. If Id passed you in town, Id never have known you.”
“Dont flatter me, Miss Eleanor.” He handed her a bouquet. “Im just the same as ever. But you wouldnt have walked pastId have called out.”
“How did you even find me here?”
“Knew where you worked before I enlisted.” He puffed up proudly. “Came straight from the station, fresh out of service.”
“Where are you staying? Youve got to get back to the village. And you must be starving. Hang on, Ill grab my thingsyoure coming to mine. Its not far.”
While she reheated lunch, Oliver washed up. The heat had him peeling off his uniform, leaving just a vest. He walked into the kitchen, muscles taut.
“Need any help, Miss Eleanor?”
“No, Oliver, sit down.”
She turned to the stove, pulse quickening as she stole glances at him. Nothing remained of the scrawny lad from Year Nine. This was a man. She pressed a spoon to her lips, flustered.
“Whats wrong with me? Why am I like this?”
Oliver sat, barely holding back. Hed loved her since schoolbeautiful, kind Eleanor. He knew she wasnt married. His mate Jack had writtenhis aunt was the schools deputy.
“Eat up, Oliver,” she said. “Then well have tea.”
They reminisced about the village school where shed taught him. Shed noticed his glances back then but brushed them off. Teenage lads always fancied the young teachers.
“Wonder how the village is now? Whos taken my place? Id love to see everyone again.”
“Youve been replaced by another young teacherClara. My older brother married her quick. Theyve got a son now.” He took a breath, steadying himself. “Eleanor.” No Miss this time. “I came back for you. Marry me. Ive loved you since school.”
“Marry you?”
“Yes. Im asking properly. Ive grown up, but I still love you.”
“But Oliver sweet Oliver, theres eight years between us.”
“Forget that.” He took her hands, calm and sure. “Forget those years. They dont matter anymore. Back then, it was fourteen and twenty-two. Now? Were level. Im not a boy. Im a man. And Ill take care of my family, solve every problem.”
He pulled her onto his lap, her shock palpable.
“Well be happy. Build a house in the village. Big, spaciousroom for children.”
Eleanor could only nod.
“I havent even said yes, and youre talking about kids.”
“Saw it in your eyes. Burning right through me. Nearly set me alight.”
“Youre ridiculous.” She finally laughed.
“Aye, thats me.”
They talked late into the night. Oliver stayed. The next morning, they drove to the cottage to introduce him to Margaretand to tell her Eleanor was leaving for the village with Oliver.
There, Oliver grabbed a spade, dug up a few beds.
“Plant whatever you like,” he grinned. Then he fixed the wobbly gate with a hammer.
The women busied themselves at the table.
“Hes a good one, isnt he?”
Over lunch, Eleanor and Oliver announced their engagement. Margaret and her sister gasped, then congratulated them. Oliver noticed Margarets frown.
“Dont worry about being alone in the city. Well build that housethen fetch you. The village is beautiful. Youll love it. And my mums lovely. Eleanor knows.”
After lunch, they caught the train. Oliver called ahead.
“Be there by six. And Im not alone.”
“Whos he bringing?” His mother, Margaret, wondered. “A girl?”
“No idea, Mum,” said his brother, Edward. “No point guessing. Just set the table.”
Margaret kept glancing out the windowbut still missed them walking up the path. Her youngest son, taller, broader, and beside himEleanor, his old teacher.
“Mum!” Edward shouted, bolting outside. He hugged Oliver tight. His little brother was now half a head taller, shoulders wide.
“Blimey, youre solid. Armys done you good.” Then he spotted Eleanor. “Miss Eleanor.”
Margaret rushed out, clutching Oliver.
“Hello, love. Didnt expect you here. Everyone remembers you fondly. Howd you two meet?”
“Mum, enough questions. Lets go inside.”
At the table, Edward poured wine. Oliver stood.
“I know youre wondering. Eleanor and I are getting married.” He drank alone, the room stunned.
Eleanor clasped her hands. Oliver covered them with his. Silence stretchedthen Margaret burst out laughing.
“Im happy, Oliver. Eleanor. So happy.” She glanced at Clara, Edwards wifepregnant againand laughed harder. “Eleanor taught here before you, Clara. Now youll be on maternity leave, and shell take your place. Then shell be on leave, and youll cover for her. Like musical chairs!”
The table erupted in laughter. Then the door creaked open. Amelia and Emma stood there, awkward.
“Hello. We heard Oliver was back”
“Well, come in then,” Edward said. Olivers arm circled Eleanors shoulders. “Weve got newsOlivers engaged. Weddings soon.”
The girls exchanged glances, disappointment flashing. They sat briefly, then slipped away.
