‘Your watch. I know you said you wanted me to keep it...’
She pulled the jeweller’s box out of her bag and gave it to him. Rafe shot her a questioning look and opened it.
‘Mimi...’ His face broke into a wide grin. ‘That’s... It’s great.’
‘You don’t mind?’
‘Mind? It’s wonderful.’ There were two watches in the box—Rafe’s along with a smaller one for her, each with half the lucky sixpence mounted behind the hands.
‘Put it on...’ She could hardly sit still, hardly wait to see it on his wrist.
‘Yours first.’ He slid the bracelet of the smaller watch over her hand, fixing the clip to secure it tight. Then he took off the watch he’d been wearing for the last couple of months and let her put his grandfather’s watch back on to his wrist.
‘I had to have the dial redone.’ She traced her finger over the glass. After some debate, she’d opted for a dark blue semi-circle, studded with stars, to replace the other half of the sixpence. ‘It’s a reminder of the nights you sat with me. How much that meant to me.’
‘It’s perfect, honey. I love it, thank you.’ He stared at the watch for long moments and Mimi hugged herself with glee. She hadn’t dared hope that he’d like it as much as he obviously did.
‘I’ve got something for you too.’ He reached into the inside pocket of his jacket. ‘I was going to save it for later, but you’re right. This is the place.’
He was hiding something in his hand and, when curiosity got the better of her and she leaned over to see what it was, he smiled.
‘Are you ready?’
‘I might be, if I knew...’ Mimi caught her breath. Suddenly she did know.
She gazed up into his eyes and he nodded, as if the question was already asked and answered.
‘Will you marry me, Mimi?’
‘Yes, Rafe. I will.’ She didn’t need to think about it. Something had clicked into place as soon as he’d spoken the words, a final, all-engulfing happiness which knew no half measures and allowed no hesitation.
‘You sound pretty sure of it.’
‘I am. I love you, Rafe, and I want to marry you.’
‘Then the sooner I can get this on to your finger...’ He opened his hand, showing her a box with a ring inside. A pretty, twisting trail of sapphires with a large diamond in the middle. Suddenly it all became real, and tears sprang into her eyes.
‘How long...?’
‘I chose it last week, but the jeweller had to resize it. I picked it up when I went to town this morning, reckoning I’d give it to you tonight... Do you like it?’
‘It’s gorgeous, Rafe. Beautiful... Too much...’
He shot her a reproving look. ‘Nothing’s too much for you, Mimi. I just want to see you wearing it.’
‘I...I really want to wear it too.’ She held out her hand.
He kissed her finger and then slid the ring on to it. Mimi stared at it. ‘Am I dreaming?’
‘If you are, then so am I. For the rest of my life.’
* * *
You find a girl you like and...you lead her up the hill to the church...
Toby Jugg’s advice. In a moment, Rafe would tell her that this was Rule Number Four, the one he’d set for himself that day when Mimi had appeared on his doorstep. But, for now, he was complete in a way that he’d never thought possible. He’d carry her out of here one more time and give her a moment to show Charlie her ring. And then he’d take her home.
EPILOGUE