Lucy Gordon - The Mediterranean Rebel’s Bride

‘I was jealous as hell. I could have throttled him because you loved him. All the time I could feel us getting closer, and I didn’t know what to believe. When you left I thought you’d gone back to him.’

‘I didn’t just want to be a substitute for Freda, and I was afraid I’d never know if I was or not. I couldn’t live with second best. It has to be all or nothing.’

He nodded.

‘I thought we’d both have time to think, but when I reached England-’ she gave a shaky laugh ‘-a terrible thing happened. I had an attack of common sense.’

‘You should have known better. What has common sense to do with us?’

‘Everything seemed so clear. You had Matti, and you didn’t need me any more. I wanted to break completely with the past, so I gave up my flat and got out so that the new people could move in quickly. I’ve got a job offer at the hospital.’

‘I know. I was there.’

‘You went to the hospital?’

‘I saw the room where she died. I stood there and looked around, and all I could see was you. Wherever I am I see only you, and that’s how it will be-all my life. But I didn’t understand at first. The way we met-she was always between us. I lived in confusion for so long. If you hadn’t come I don’t know what would have happened to me. I was caught up in a kind of madness, and you released me. Now I’m free-truly free at last. It feels like starting life again.

‘Sapphire-’

‘Freda,’ he said at once. ‘There was no Sapphire.’ He saw her looking at him, and said, ‘But now I can be grateful to her. I can even love her memory for Matti’s sake.’

‘I’m glad of that,’ she said fervently. ‘Because one day you’ll bring him here-’

‘We’ll bring him together, and tell him about her.’

They were silent, thinking of that moment.

‘We might even bring our own children as well,’ he mused.

‘You’ve got it planned?’

‘Matti has. He wants brothers and sisters. He’s a Rinucci; he likes being part of a big family.’

She smiled tenderly and leaned her head against him.

‘He told you that, did he?’ she asked.

‘Sure he did. We understand each other perfectly these days. He also says that if I don’t bring you back with me I needn’t bother coming home. He was very plain about that-threw his cereal bowl against the wall.’

They laughed together for a moment, but then he took her hand and carried it to his lips.

‘Promise that this hand will always be in mine,’ he whispered.

‘Keeping you safe?’

‘No, leading me to the best of life. Even when you stopped me riding the bike you weren’t restraining me, just showing me a different way forward. We’ll go wherever the road winds, and as long as it’s you that takes me there I know it’ll be a good place.’

They walked back to the grave and stood for a moment, looking at the flowers-tea roses and buttercups-side by side in perfect harmony.

‘You understand, don’t you?’ he asked softly. ‘Please say that you do?’

She nodded. ‘Thank you. Not just for my flowers, but for hers.’

‘They had to come first. I know that now.’ He smiled suddenly. ‘You’re wearing yours,’ he said, indicating the gold brooch on her shoulder.

‘I always wear it.’

‘Promise me that you always will?’

‘I promise-for ever.’

She leaned down and took two of the flowers, one of each, putting them away to be kept, also for ever. All done now. All answered. All forgiven.

He kissed her gently, knowing that everything else must wait a little. But they could afford to wait.

Nor did they look back as they walked away. There was no need. They knew the flowers were blooming brightly in the morning sun.