I was annoyed at Papa when he said to Mary that I had a date - but deep down I hoped that it was true. Not that there would ever be anything serious between me and Bertie Pelham - I had given up hope of ever marrying when I decided to bring Marigold home from Swizerland. Or rather - of ever marrying anyone else but Michael - I didn't give up hope of marrying him until I knew he was dead.
When I first saw the letter I wondered who it was from - I had never seen Bertie's handwriting before. It was a happy surprise that it was from him - I had hoped that he would want to see me again.
...
It wasn't easy to know from Bertie's letter if it was a date or not - he wrote that he would be in London for a few days and would like to meet me if I happened to be there at the same time. To buy me that drink he hadn't been able to give me last time.
So I arranged to be in London at the same time.
He also wrote that he had enjoyed our night together - I wonder what my Granny would make of that! Well, she won't see it. But I wonder if Bertie is really so innocent that he doesn't understand how most people would interpret that.
But I guess the letter is only meant for my eyes and I know exactly what we had done and hadn't done that night.
...
Still, what happened that night is a little worrying for me even if it was all so innocent. Having him there - he had been such a great support, we had worked so well together. And although I hadn't really had time to take in how attractive he is during the night, just having him there had been a great help and comfort.
It was not until we were finished and sank down together on the sofa, exhausted but satisfied, that I really began to understand what was starting to happen to me. How very much I enjoyed his company.
Then he told me I inspired him - he is such a sweetheart!
And that smile - just thinking about him makes my heart skip a beat.
...
I try to tell myself not to get my hopes up - he is probably only being polite. And even if there is something more than that, he will lose interest as soon as he knows about Marigold. But I can't stop thinking of him, no matter what.
So now I'm looking forward to meeting him in London, just as eagerly as if I was a young girl on her way to her first ball.
AN: Thank you for reading! Please leave a comment!
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I'm stuck in chapter seven of my story Edith. So I thought I'd try something else, and came up with this little idea.
I have never written anything like this before - with Edith herself telling it. I can't say it feels very comfortable - I'm definitely not Edith, even though I like her a lot.