Life always has its own way of unfolding.
“Listen, Rita, Ive got newsToms coming back from the army tomorrow. Were getting married soon, so youll have to come to the wedding,” Emily chattered excitedly.
“How do you know? You werent even writing to him when he left. You were just friends. And how do you know hes arriving tomorrow, anyway?”
“My mum ran into Auntie Irene. And well see about ‘just friends.’ Thats what he thoughtwhat everyone thought. But Ive loved him for ages. I wont let him slip away now,” Emily beamed.
“Well, good luck with that. I doubt youll reel Tom in. Hes always been his own man. And after the army, hes probably grown up a bitgot wiser. He was such a scamp back in school,” Rita said, making Emily pout slightly.
Emily had always fancied Tom from the parallel classcheeky, quick-witted, but handsome. By Year 9, hed shot up, taller than all the lads, yet never paid any girl special attention. He joked with everyone, hung out with his mates in the evenings, but never walked any girl home after the cinema.
Emily often found ways to be near him. If she heard he was going to the pictures with his friends, shed dash to the village hall too. Hed chat with her, even throw an arm around her, but that was it. The girls secretly fancied him but whispered among themselves:
“Toms a bit odd. All the other lads walk girls home, but he always goes back alone.”
When Tom left for the army, a few of the girls quietly waited, hoping hed finally notice one of them when he returned. After all, hed have to settle down someday.
Sophie worked at the school in town, transferred from the village four years ago after finishing uni. She lived with her mother, Anne. Her father had passed early, and Anne was relieved when Sophie moved to the cityless lonely. Though she sometimes mused,
“Im glad Sophies with me, but one day shell marry”
That morning, Sophie saw her mother off on the busAnne was heading to her elder sisters cottage for the summer. Then Sophie walked on to school. Even though term had ended, there was still work to do.
Sophies love life had stalled since uni. Shed been burned once by Daniel, a coursemate whod promised to take her to the city. Hed even proposedonly to back out last minute, saying,
“Changed my mind, Soph. My parents expect me home alone. So, goodbye.”
Heartbroken, Sophie had taken the village job. Now, at twenty-eight, she hadnt fallen in love since.
Sitting in the headteachers office, planning summer work, Sophie was interrupted by the deputy.
“Sophie, theres a young man asking for you.”
“Oho! Whos this then?” the head teased. Sophie shrugged.
“No idea. Ill see.”
Stepping out, she spotted a tall figure at the end of the corridor, his back turned as he gazed out the windowdressed in army fatigues. When he turned, grinning, she thought,
“Blimey, a paratrooper. Solid as oak. Who on earth?”
They met halfway.
“Hello, Miss Hart.”
“Hellowere you waiting for me?”
“Course. Who else?”
“Sorry, do we know each other?”
“Oh, we do. Very well,” he said, his dimples appearing.
“Tom?” she gasped, pressing her hands to her lips.
“The one and only. Changed much?”
“Good Lord, you have,” she laughed, hugging him. She patted his back, then stepped away, shaking her head.
“Let me look at you. Proper man nowbroad as a barn door. Id never have recognised you in town.”
“Dont embarrass me, Miss Hart. These are for you,” he said, handing her flowers. “Im just ordinary. But Id have spotted you anywherewouldve shouted your name.”
“How did you even find me here?”
“Knew where you worked before I enlisted,” he said proudly. “Came straight from the station. Free man now.”
“Where are you staying? Youve still got to get to the village. And you must be starving. Rightlet me grab my bag. Youre coming to mine. Its close.”
As Sophie reheated lunch, Tom washed up, stripping to his vest in the heat. Returning to the kitchen, he asked,
“Need a hand, Miss Hart?”
“No, Tom. Sit.”
Sophie turned to the stove, heart fluttering as she stole glances at his muscled frame. Nothing remained of the wiry lad from Year 9. Gripping the spoon, she thought,
“Good grief. Whats come over me?”
Meanwhile, Tom fought the urge to embrace herthe kind, beautiful teacher hed loved since school. His mate Jack had written that she was still single (Jacks aunt was the schools deputy).
“Eat up, Tom,” Sophie said. “Well have tea after.”
They reminisced about her time at the village school, where Tom had studied. Shed noticed his glances but brushed them offback then, all sixth-formers mooned over young teachers.
“Wonder how the village is now. Whos replaced me? Id love to see everyone,” Sophie mused.
“Another new teacher, Lucy. My brother married her. Theyve a son now.” Tom paused, then blurted, “Sophie” (first time without ‘Miss’) “I came back for you. Marry me. Ive loved you since school.”
“Marry you?”
“Yes. Ive grown up, but I still love you.”
“But Tom, darling theres eight years between us.”
“Forget that,” he said calmly, taking her hands. “It meant something at fourteen and twenty-two. Not now. Im a manIll provide, protect.”
Pulling her onto his lap, he added, “Well build a house in the village. Big enough for kids.”
Sophie, speechless, only nodded.
“I havent even said yes, and youre planning children?”
“Saw it in your eyes. Burned right through me.”
“Youre ridiculous,” she laughed.
“Aye, that I am.”
They talked late into the night. Tom stayed over, and the next morning, they drove to Annes cottage.
Tom dug the garden, fixed the wobbly gate. Over lunch, they announced their engagement. Anne and her sister were stunned but pleased. Noticing Annes sadness, Tom said,
“Dont worry about being alone. Well build a house in the villageyoull come live with us. Mums lovelySophie knows.”
Later, on the train to the village, Tom called his mum:
“Be there by six. And Im not alone.”
“Whos he bringing?” Irene wondered.
“Dunno. Stop guessing,” said his brother, Mark. He and Lucy were already there, knowing Tom was due back.
Irene missed them arrivingonly spotting her grown-up son and Sophie at the gate.
“Mum! Toms here!” Mark bolted out, hugging his brother (now taller and broader). “Blimey, armys done you good!” Then, spotting Sophie: “Miss Hart?”
Irene rushed out, crushing Tom in a hug.
“Sophie! You came! Everyone remembers you here.”
“Mum, enough questions. Inside!”
At the table, Mark poured wine. Tom stood.
“Right. Sophie and I are getting married.” He drank alone as jaws dropped.
Sophie clasped her hands; Tom covered them. Silencethen Irene burst out laughing.
“Im thrilled!” She glanced at Lucy (pregnant again) and cackled. “Sophie taught here before you, Lucy. Now youll be on leave, shell coverthen swap when she has a baby!”
The room erupted in laughterjust as Emily and Rita barged in.
“Hello! We heard Tom was back!”
“Come in,” Mark said. Tom had an arm around Sophie. “CelebratingToms engaged.”
The girls exchanged looks but sat briefly before slipping away.
