Home Front Girls

‘Merry Christmas!’ They toasted each other, and suddenly it was really Christmas!
    Each course was perfectly cooked, and within an hour Dotty groaned and rubbed her stomach as she told Robert, ‘That was really delicious but I think I shall burst if I eat so much as another mouthful.’
    ‘I’m glad you enjoyed it,’ he replied as the waiter removed the dishes that had contained their Christmas pudding. ‘But you must make room for some coffee and a mince pie before we leave, just to finish it all off.’
    ‘If you insist.’ Dotty was really enjoying herself now that she had relaxed and knew that she would never forget this day. It had been perfect. And then Robert did something quite unexpected and amazing as they waited for their coffee to be served: he produced a small velvet box from the pocket of his jacket and took a deep breath as he looked Dotty in the eye.
    ‘Dotty, I . . .’ He gulped then forced himself to go on. ‘I have something here that I’d like you to have.’ He snapped the lid open and she found herself gazing down at a beautiful emerald and diamond ring. ‘It was my mother’s and—’
    She held up her hand to stop him as she fingered the locket about her neck. ‘I’m afraid if you were planning on giving it to me, I shall have to refuse,’ she told him primly. ‘I already have her locket and I treasure it, but I really can’t accept any more of her jewellery. It just wouldn’t be right.’
    ‘But you don’t understand,’ he flustered. ‘This was Mother’s engagement ring.’
    ‘Then that is all the more reason why you shouldn’t be giving it away.’
    ‘Oh dear.’ Robert ran a hand through his thick wavy hair which would not be tamed by any amount of Brylcreem. ‘I’m afraid I’ve handled this all wrong. You see, Mother always said that she wanted the woman I chose to marry to wear this ring. What I’m trying to say is . . . Dotty, will you do me the very great honour of becoming my wife?’
    When Dotty simply stared vacantly back at him, he stumbled on, ‘I wanted to give this to you as an engagement ring – but of course, if you didn’t like it you could choose another one. Any one you liked. If you’ll only say you’ll marry me, that is. I mean, I know I’m not much of a catch with this arm and being so much older than you, but . . . Oh Lord. I’ve made the most frightful hash of this, haven’t I? I suppose I should have gone down on one knee and done things properly. And I so wanted everything to be perfect.’
    He looked up to see tears in Dotty’s eyes as she reached across to take his hand, hardly able to believe her luck. This dear man was asking her to be his wife.
    ‘You, Robert Brabinger, are the most wonderful, kindest man I have ever met and I would be honoured to be your wife.’
    ‘What? Do you really mean it?’ he asked incredulously, and when she nodded, he slipped the ring onto her finger and kissed it tenderly, heedless of the glances they were attracting.
    ‘Perhaps sir would like me to pour some more champagne,’ the waiter who was standing at the side of the table with a tray of coffee asked with a broad smile. ‘It appears that a celebration is in order. May I be the first to offer my congratulations?’
    ‘You certainly may,’ Robert answered as he leaned across the table to give Dotty a smacking kiss on the lips, and when a cheer went up from the other diners he beamed like a Cheshire cat while Dotty blushed to the roots of her hair.
    Everyone raised a toast to them as Dotty stared at the magnificent ring on her finger and wondered if she was dreaming. Finally she would have someone to call her own. Sadly, she had thought the same when she discovered her mother – but that had not been meant to be. Surely with Robert it would be different?
     
    In the cab back to Laura’s, Robert spoke excitedly about their wedding.
    ‘Of course you’ll want a church wedding, won’t you?’ he assumed. ‘I believe every girl dreams of that, and you can have whatever you want just as soon as you want.’
    She tapped her plaster. ‘Actually, I’d quite like to have this off first.’ And then she shocked him when she went on, ‘And to be honest I’d much prefer a very quiet affair. It is wartime, after all and . . . Well, I suppose finding my mother and losing her all in one night made me realise just how fragile life is for everyone at the moment. And as neither of us have any close family there wouldn’t be much point in a