Cuckoo (aka Claire, Darling)

Chapter Thirty-Six

Chapter Thirty-Six

3 February 2025

Dear Diary,

I’M ENGAGED!

I AM MARRYING NOAH COORS!

I AM GOING TO BE MRS COORS!

I cannot believe it. I can’t stop shaking and crying, this is the happiest day of my life. Noah proposed. Even in writing it looks bizarre, as though it’s somebody else’s news and not mine. He totally took me by surprise– I truly didn’t think he’d be ready for this any time soon. After all, we’ve not been together long in the grand scheme of things. But I got home from work and he had a romantic song playing, one of those old Etta James ones, and he had lit candles everywhere. Candles on literally every surface, it was a huge fire hazard but so stunning. Streaming from the ceiling were dozens and dozens of white paper birds– a flight of doves hanging at different levels, drifting above us with their wings carefully folded to replicate birds in flight. He’d made a romantic dinner too, and I walked through the door stunned by the sight of the origami doves and candles and freaking out about what the hell was going on. I think my heart stopped beating in my chest in apprehension.

And then he got down on one knee and proposed. And it was with the ring we had seen together, the ring from the Christmas market, with birds engraved onto the band. I couldn’t believe it, could barely even take in what was happening when he spoke.

‘Claire, I know it’s early days but when you know, you know. I don’t want to wait. I want to be your husband and build a life with you. You’re the love of my life. Will you marry me?’

Of course, I started sobbing hysterically and screaming ‘yes’ right away, before he could change his mind or take it back. I could barely even eat because I was so excited, but he had gone to such an effort and made a lovely spread– a charcuterie board with the wine I had recommended to him when we met and some cheese we fell in love with in Venice and grapes and meats and fancy crusty rolls from that pricey Borough Market stall I love so much.

He told me he wanted to love me forever, that he’d gone back to the market and picked up the ring and had been saving it while he worked out the proposal scene. I was overwhelmed by his thoughtfulness. I didn’t need a big flashy diamond, and he knew it. He knew what I’d want would be something thoughtful, something lovingly picked out just for me, that rested on a beautiful joint memory.

A part of me felt sad I didn’t have anyone to call to share the exciting news with– but that feeling was fleeting. I don’t need anybody else, not now that I have Noah. I’m so happy… So happy that a tiny part of me worries it’s too good to be true, if it will all come crashing down soon. But that’s just me being a natural pessimist. I deserve this happiness. I deserve Noah.

Claire