Chapter 14

It was growing dark by the time they set off back to the cottage. Robert was deep in thought going over what Alan had said and what work lay ahead, when Terry asked him to pull over. Seeing a lay-by just ahead he pulled into it and stopped the car. He heard her seat belt unclip as he switched off the engine. He turned to her as she said. “I’ve not congratulated you.” Then she kissed him full on his lips and held the kiss for several seconds before breaking off.

Robert was stunned, his mind in a turmoil, his heart racing.

He heard the seatbelt click; not daring to look at her he re-started the engine and pulled back on to the road. They drove back to the cottage in silence.

Once inside, the lights had been set on low with the dimmer switch by Mrs Mac, the flames off the fire casting flickering shadows into the room. Robert faced the fire unable to face Terry who stood behind him. “Terry,” he began trying desperately to find the words, “I value your friendship more than you’ll ever know, and I would hate to ever lose it, but ... but please don’t flirt with me I couldn’t handle that.” He turned to look at her.

There was a sort of anger written across her face. “Oh you sweet wonderful bloody fool.” She sobbed, “Don’t you realise I’m in love with you.”

The blood drained from his face, he was totally confused with her announcement. “I never allowed myself to dare hope that you could feel that way about me.” He stammered.

“So do you think you have feelings for me Robert?” She whispered almost afraid to know the answer.

“Feelings,” he stammered, “I love you Terry, and I’ve never said that to any other girl. But I’m only a pilot I couldn’t hope to ever interest a famous girl like you.”

She looked at him seeing the earnest look in his eyes, eyes of a shy bewildered boy. Then suddenly she was in his arms and he was kissing her, her lips felt so soft and warm, a tear ran slowly down her cheek, “Don’t cry darling” he said suddenly afraid.

“I’m crying because I’m so very happy you dope.” Giving him a smile.

He sat in the armchair with Terry on his knees her arms round his neck. “When did you know?” He asked.

“I think that day at the Palace when you left your stick behind to receive the award, I knew how much pain you were in, but you didn’t want any sympathy or pity, and seeing you like that just melted my heart. When did you?”

“When you said, anything for our boys in blue.” He chuckled, “No seriously, the way you supported me at the Palace, holding my hand. The way you looked at me I suddenly realised what a wonderful person you were,” he chuckled again “but you never gave any indication of how you felt.”

She sat back looking down on his face.

“Bobby, do you think I’m the sort of girl who would stay alone with a man, days on end without having some feelings for him. Surely doing that should have given you a clue.”

She had used the name his mother used for him, and he realised he liked her using it. He looked at her beautiful face and felt an emotion that he’d never felt before in his life. “Terry I love you I never want to lose you. I know this is sudden, but I know without a shadow of doubt that my feelings for you will never change. I know we both have careers and there will be periods when we are apart. But I think we can surmount those problems. A Squadron Leaders pay is not bad and I have the cottage ... and.”

Terry put a finger over his mouth. “The answer’s yes,” his eyes looked puzzled, “yes I want to be your wife.” Then she kissed him a long lingering kiss.

He suddenly got up placing her back in the chair, “Wait here.” He commanded, he dashed up the stairs. He returned minutes later carrying a small velvet box. “Terry would you wear this?” He opened the box, a white gold engagement ring with a diamond surrounded by six other diamonds lay in it.

“It belonged to my Mother,” he said, “but I’ll buy you the best diamond ring in London when we go up.”

She stared down at the ring; this ring had known a lot of history and love. “No Bobby I’d like to keep this one please, if you don’t mind.” Tears running down her face she continued, “I know how much your mother loved your father, and somehow that love will live on through us.”

“If you are sure darling, then I know Mum would love for you to have it. So what brought on the kiss in the car?”

She smiled pushing back his hair. “Back in the bar I looked for you, but the guys said you were flying, and I suddenly got scared. I realised that I had never told you how I felt, if anything went wrong, if something happened to you. But the guys all said you were the best pilot in the squadron and indestructible.” She kissed him, “Anyway my tummy was in a knot until you landed and I vowed there and then to show you how I felt. I knew you were too shy or scared” she chuckled, “to do anything. When you didn’t return the kiss I thought you didn’t care for me.”