‘You want to come with me,’ he repeated slowly.
She locked eyes with him, her expression stony. ‘I won’t come into the jungle, if that’s your decision. You are the expert on this and I will respect your opinion. But I am going out to Peru with you because there is a chance you may never come back and I want to spend every possible moment with the man I love. Is that clear?’
‘That’s not the most optimistic way to view my trip.’
‘But it’s true,’ she said frankly. ‘You know it, I know it. That’s why you want to go to Blackpool for our next holiday.’
‘Not exactly,’ he smiled.
‘I’ve been to the Royal Geographical Society, the Peruvian embassy and the Foreign Office,’ said Rosamund. ‘All the paperwork is in. I am signed on as your logistics manager.’
She gulped, trying to stay composed, knowing he had every right to be furious with her.
‘You would do that for me?’ he said finally.
‘You should have realised by now that I’m an all-or-nothing kind of girl.’
‘I’ve realised that you’re even more remarkable than I thought.’
‘Stop getting mushy. I’m just protecting my investment, even if you can’t cook a meal without burning it.’
‘Let’s get out of here.’
‘Hang on. I haven’t finished my potatoes.’
He had already asked for the bill and thrown down a ten-shilling note to pay for their food.
‘Where are we going?’
‘Let’s just walk,’ he said, taking her hand.
He was quiet for a few moments, as if he was thinking. They crossed the road at Aldwych, exiting the dense streets of Covent Garden, and she felt her shoulders relax as they came within sight of the river.
‘Waterloo B
ridge,’ she smiled. ‘I remember what you said about this place on our first date.’
‘Our first date?’
‘At the pub in Primrose Hill. I know it wasn’t actually a first date. I know you just wanted to talk about my article, but still . . .’
‘It was a first date,’ he said, squeezing her hand.
She gasped when she saw the view. As a former student of the nearby LSE, it was a vista she knew well, but it never ceased to astound her. The majestic Houses of Parliament, an always inspiring symbol of democracy, was to her right, whilst St Paul’s Cathedral and the twinkling lights of the City sparkled to her left.
Dusk was settling over London, streaking the sky with gold and violet, and it sent shivers of emotion coursing through her body.
‘I don’t think I’ve ever felt more excited about life and the promise it held than when I walked over Waterloo Bridge,’ she said softly.
Dominic put an arm around her shoulder and drew her close.
‘You said that on our first date, and now I know exactly what you meant,’ she said, looking up at him.
‘I’m feeling it again now, aren’t you?’ he said, nuzzling the top of her head.
As she nodded, he took hold of her hand and turned her around so that she was facing him. She thought he was about to kiss her, but he looked suddenly nervous, a tic pulsing under his left eye, those grey eyes she loved.
‘Marry me,’ he said.