Chapter IV
IV
She was returning from a long walk with Sango when she saw him standing there at the front of the gates.
Her brain told her Golden Boy was still in England, but her heart sent her feet racing.
He caught her as she leapt into his arms, and then she kissed his lips, his cheeks, his forehead, his chin. Sango barked at their feet.
“What the hell,” she began as he lowered her to the ground. “I thought you were away for another few weeks.”
“I wanted to surprise you.”
“Well. You did. Shit.” She took a couple of steps back from him, so she could see him properly. He had more hair on his chin. And he seemed taller than she remembered. “When did you get in?”
“Two hours ago.” And he had come straight to her.
“How much time you got?”
“None. My dad will be expecting me. I didn’t say I was branching here. But I wanted to see you, even if just for a second.”
She kissed him again. “Okay. Give me something before you leave.”
“I had hoped you would ask.” And he dipped into his pocket and brought out a long, rectangular velvet box. Her eyes opened wide. She had never asked him for jewellery and wasn’t all that interested in it; and yet she felt thoroughly moved that he had bought some for her.
She opened the box. In it was a dainty chain. There was no locket, no pendant.
“It’s an ankle bracelet,” he told her. “I thought it would be your jam.”
She felt her eyes water. She lifted it to admire and then he took it from her.
She watched as he knelt down and unhooked the catch.
Her heart somersaulted. He tenderly placed the chain around her ankle, brushing her skin and sending volts up and down her body.
When he’d done it up, she twisted her foot this way and that, and the anklet sparkled.
“I love it, thank you.”
“I…” he said. “I love you.”
The world stopped.
She knew she would always remember this moment. She would dwell on it for years to come, recount it to herself, to her children and grandchildren. The way he looked at her with his large sand-coloured eyes. The feel of his hand on her waist. She beamed at him.
“I love you too.”
He grinned, showing off all his beautiful teeth and pulling her to him.
“Good,” he said as he burrowed his face into her neck. He smelt so inviting. She breathed him in. “Mum is around. I want you to come meet her.”