Which of the young ladies here will say shes ready to become my wife? Tomorrow, well visit my parents and wed.
Once, long ago, William set out to propose, or more accurately to formally ask his beloveds parents for their blessing to wed. Lily, his sweetheart, had insistedabsolutely no traditions of show and tell or the like: her mother couldnt bear such displays. Lily didnt even want William to bring any of his mates.
William and Lily had known each other for two years, and between themselves, theyd already decided: after Williams commission from Sandhurst, theyd go to his village in Yorkshire and have a proper English wedding. Lily had just finished her teaching qualification and had been offered a post in Londona move from her tiny home town shed always dreamed of. Still, love triumphed. She chose William, promising shed follow him anywhere, even to the remotest corner of the country.
Lily was her parents only child. Naturally, they hoped for a good, refined, and promising son-in-law who could provide so their daughter never knew hardship. They didnt much care for William; they considered him a rather rough young countryman, ill-matched for city life or their Lilys ambitions. Yet, they didnt forbid her from seeing him, quietly assuming shed move on once he finished training and left.
Theyd only met William three times, but those occasions were enough for them to form their opinionsand not the kind theyd ever say out loud to the lads face. Lily tried countless times to convince her parents that William, for all his rural bluntness, was the best of men. But her parents wouldnt hear it, and secretly had already chosen more suitable candidates.
Williams leave was infrequent, so he and Lily met at friends houses, the cinema, or strolled through the park. Last night, Lily finally spoke to her parents about her decision. It ended as a rowtears, pleading, threats.
Her mother took her smelling salts, crying, What are you thinking? See each other once a year? Its unthinkable! Go to London, well come down too. Why do you need this country lout? He can barely string a sentence together!
Despite Lilys efforts, her parents held fast. In the end, Lily backed down. They agreed to leave things for a year: William would go off to his posting, Lily to London, and in that time, theyd test their feelings.
William, hopeful and buoyant, was on his way to see his Lily, heart full of dreams for a life together. He understood Lilys parents might refuse him, but she had assured him she was prepared, if pressed, to go against their wishes.
He arrived at her street; there Lily sat, waiting on the old bench. William hurried to her, embraced and kissed her.
Well, shall we go and ask for their blessing? Why the sad eyes? Has someone hurt you?
William, wait, Lily replied, stepping back, let me explain. Lets wait a year. Itll sort itself out by then. Mums not wellyou know her heart. And Fathers not much better. Just a yearitll pass in a blink. Youll get settled and Ill come to you.
She stumbled over her words, making excuses.
Lily, whats this? We agreedjust more excuses. Your parents disapprove. I understand. Come with me nowdont even go home. Well go to my village, see how it goes.
No, William. My final word: if you love me, youll wait. Just one year
No, William interrupted, his voice hard. I shant wait. Im going.
He was never a talkative man, but now words failed him entirely. He turned and strode away. She did not call out or try to stop him.
They parted.
Williams bright summer day dimmed. He longed to forget it all, to curse her, Lily the traitor, her cold-hearted parents, this house, this lane, those two years filled with stolen kisses and promises of love.
He phoned his mate Charlie, with whom he was stayingalso a fellow Sandhurst graduate, and soon theyd be off on assignment together.
Charlie, meet me at the pub, would you?
But what about Lily? Arent you two meant to be together tonight?
No wedding. Therell be no Lily either.
Ive a better idea, Charlie replied. Forget the pub. Come to the student house near me. Weve been invited to a birthday dolets go together.
All right, William agreed.
The house belonged to the local hospital training college and was home mostly to student nurses. Only four men lived there. Charlie himself was seeing one of the girls, but it was nothing serious.
In the kitchen, three tables were pushed together as everyone clattered about, making sandwiches, opening bags of crisps, roasting chicken. The birthday girl was Alicea future nurse, dazzling in sparkling fake jewels and bright makeup. She sashayed about, casting coquettish glances at the new boys.
Charlies own girlfriend wagged her fist at Alice, gesturing at William. William poured himself more than a few, Charlie pushing the bottle away in concern.
Steady on, mate, or Ill never get you home. Besides, I did pick up those three coach tickets you wanted.
At those words, Williams eyes suddenly shone. Pour us another! Ive just had an idea. Ill make a toast, then home well go, he said, shoving his glass forward.
He rose, called for quiet, raised his drink: Which young lady will say yes, become my wife, and tomorrow come to meet my parents? Well get married!
Everyone froze. A hushthen, at the far end, a small voice squeaked:
I will.
William leapt from his chair, running to the girl. Where had she been? Why hadnt he noticed her before? She stood, blinking wide blue eyes at him. Yes, he thought, eyes that will never betray me.
He held out his hand. Whats your name, my mysterious lady?
Hope, she replied, her small hand folding into his warm one. William grinned; the lump in his throat, which had troubled him all evening, melted away like a forgotten ice cream on a summers day.
Thats it, he thought, what I need most now is hope.
In his mind, he pictured bringing her home, his mother saying, Welcome, Lily, and he would reply, No, Mother, this is Hope.
Well then, get your things together by morning, Hope. Were off tomorrow. Good night.
With that, William and Charlie bid farewell and left, taking the night air with them while the rest of the party began to disperse.
At dawn, Hope sat on her bed watching the pink sun rise, birds greeting the morning, a light breeze through the sash window. The city was waking. And yet she hadnt slept a wink. Quietly, so as not to wake her housemates, she packed her suitcase, ready to go, and sat waiting. She believedoh, she believed so fiercelythat William would come. He couldnt not.
Oh, dont be daft, exclaimed the other girls. He was three sheets to the wind, only joking. Youve no experience with menpull your things out and get some rest. The holidays have only just started!
But Hope shook her head gently. No. Hes better than them all. Hell come. Hes good. I just know it.
Alice, the birthday girl, sat beside her and patted her shoulder. Really, Hope, we dont even know who this William is. Charlies a soldier, true, but your fellow could be telling tall tales. Didnt you hear? Off to the countrysidewhat if hes a farmhand? Youll be running after cows and chickens!
Hopes reply was simple and stubborn. I dont care. Hes a good man. Thats enough.
Then, suddenly, there came a knock at the door. Hope jumped up and ranthere were William and Charlie, swinging in, grabbing her suitcase and bagsand Hope herselfsweeping her out into the new day, leaving the bewildered girls behind.
Epilogue:
Fifty years on, once a year, our school friends gather in one of our villagesjust those who shared childhood together. Most of us are former officers now, retired and at peace. One summer, we remembered William and Lilysomeone shared the tale. Lily, it seems, married twice in her youth, both times unhappy. Now, she lives alone in her parents old flat; she has no children.
William? Colonel, retired. Three grown children, grandchildren. His wifeHopeis a beauty still. They say they are happy, and I believe it, remembering how it all began.
