The Long Road Ahead. Rosie James

he must have been gazing at her all the time.

      ‘I love you,’ he said simply.

      Of course! Why hadn’t she thought of that herself!

      She leaned her head right into his shoulder. ‘Not as much as I love you,’ she murmured.

      ‘So this is where you’ve been hiding.’ Sam took off his coat and scarf and glanced around him.

      ‘Yes, for the last eighteen months,’ Alice said, taking his things and hanging them up with hers in the hall. ‘And I’ve been very lucky to have been given the use of this house. It belongs to the firm, of course, and is the perfect size for me – big enough, but still cosy. I’ve been able to have friends to stay because there are two spare bedrooms.’

      In the bigger of the spare rooms she had made up the two single beds, making sure that both were well-aired, the covers freshly laundered and carefully ironed – well, she always made a point of doing that as a matter of course in case someone turned up unexpectedly and wanted to stay. But she’d made sure that the room Sam would be using was especially lovely – they’d not mentioned anything about him staying the night, but she’d noticed that he had an overnight bag with him, so he probably was, she’d thought.

      He followed her into the sitting room, and went over to the fire which was crackling brightly over the coals. And now she came over, and he put his arms around her again. ‘I’ve got my own ideas about your engagement ring,’ he murmured, his lips close to her ear, ‘but I won’t say what they are until you tell me what you would like. It must be your choice.’

      She looked up at him and smiled, and he lowered his head to close his mouth over hers. And Alice thought – if the world came to an end at this very moment, she would die happy. She would be happy for this to be the last thing which happened to her. Nothing else could ever come close.

      Presently, after they’d had the coffee she’d prepared for them, they put on their coats and left the house. A weak sun filtered through the clouds as they strolled along the streets, glancing in at all the shops – especially the jewellers’ shops. And suddenly Sam said, ‘Let’s go in here. They seem to have a good display.’

      Inside, the male assistant – who turned out to be the owner – was more than happy to bring every one of his rings out from the locked cabinets for them to examine. None was priced, Alice noticed, but they all looked extremely expensive to her as they gleamed and glittered against the black velvet on the display panels. Then, encouraged by the man, she began trying them on, one by one.

      After a few minutes, Sam looked down at Alice. ‘I know the one I would like to see on your finger,’ he said softly, ‘but you choose, Alice. I’ll look the other way for a moment while you decide.’

      Alice didn’t need any time at all to decide. It was a solitaire diamond, set in a gold and platinum ring. It was bold, yet delicate at the same time, and had been the first one which had caught her eye. And as it was slipped onto her finger, it felt exactly right.

      Sam had moved aside slightly, looking at something else in another cabinet, and she nudged him, holding out her hand for him to see which one she had chosen.

      And at once a broad grin spread over his features. ‘Snap,’ was all he said.

      Now that the best sale he’d had for weeks was about to happen, the owner insisted on making sure that the ring fitted perfectly before he very carefully placed it into a small red velvet box, wrapped it up, and passed it to Sam – who put it into his pocket.

      Then they left the shop, and resumed their stroll along the streets.

      Alice snuggled into him. ‘Thank you, Sam – for such a beautiful engagement ring,’ she said softly. ‘I shall be so proud to wear it.’

      ‘And I shall be so proud that you have agreed to wear it,’ he said. ‘That you have agreed – that you are prepared – to link your life with mine, Alice.’

      For quite a few minutes neither of them spoke, both wrapped up in the significance of the occasion – an occasion which would never come again. Then –

      ‘I’ve booked a table for dinner at the French restaurant at the top of the town,’ he said, looking down at her. ‘I hope that suits Madam… I’ve asked that we have a quiet corner all to ourselves,’ he added.

      Alice smiled. Was she ever going to stop smiling! ‘That will be just perfect,’ she said. ‘I’ve glanced in at the place once or twice – but it’s rather posh, and very expensive! Far too expensive for me to have tried.’

      ‘But not too expensive for us,’ he replied, returning her smile. ‘I’ve booked it for 7 o’clock – and it’s already gone 5.30. So perhaps we should go back and smarten up a bit.’

      Presently, upstairs in her bedroom, Alice decided to wear the simple dress she had worn at Gloria’s wedding. It had been one of Helena’s which she’d admired – and which Helena had insisted Alice should have. ‘It’s a very youthful style,’ she’d said, ‘and it will look so much nicer on you, Alice.’

      Now, as Alice slipped it on, she knew at once that it was right for this very special evening…her very special evening. The pale grey cashmere with its gently flowing style seemed to have been made especially for her figure, the small purple wool flower on the shoulder exactly right as its only addition to its simplicity. Alice owned very little jewellery, but she did decide that perhaps her drop earrings with the small amethyst stone would look good. And what about her hair? Tonight she was going to leave it loose.

      She undid the thick, coiled plait which she always dressed on top, then let her hair fall in long waves which reached down to her shoulders. Then she began to brush it out carefully.

      After a few seconds she stopped what she was doing, and glanced at her reflection in the dressing table mirror. And remembered that other time she’d loosened her hair…had loosened it for that other man whom fate had decided should cross her path, if only for a few hours. Marvin. The American preparing for the D-Day landings. He had been so, so sad…

      A lump rose in Alice’s throat, now, as she remembered the expression on his face when he’d gently run his fingers through her hair and looked down into her eyes. And told her that she was the double of his long-time girl, Patsy, whom he adored, and who, just before his unit was shipped out, had told him she had found someone else and that she no longer loved him. Even though they had been devoted to each other for a very long time.

      As, presumably, had Max and his wife been before she left him for someone else, Alice thought instinctively.

      She sat down on the edge of the bed for a moment. Was love really as frail as that, she asked herself. That temporary separation and loss of continuity could so easily fracture, ruin, what had once been thought so happy and secure? So unassailable? She shivered inwardly, then gave herself a good telling-off. It was different for her and Sam…nothing would, or could, ever shake their love…

      She thought again about the American, her eyes misting. There had been no chance for him to try and save his relationship before embarkation, and as they’d slipped out of harbour his sense of helplessness must have been overwhelming.

      And had he even made it safely back home, Alice wondered? Or had he been killed, or horribly wounded like so many of the allied soldiers had?

      She brushed her hair more vigorously. The wretched war had such a lot to answer for…even now, for so many people the ripples were still spreading…still hurting…

      When Alice went downstairs, Sam was already in the sitting room and he turned to look at her, his eyes softening.

      ‘You look adorable,’ he said simply.

      She smiled briefly in response. His suit, as usual, was immaculate, and he had put on a clean white shirt and blue silk tie. He was obviously freshly shaved, and had shampooed his hair…those glorious locks, which had always set him apart, were shining like dark, polished copper. And Alice hugged herself again. Lady Luck was still