FORGIVEN
Tom watched Sybil as she flew from one soldier to another, replacing a cover here, pouring some water there. He saw the radiant look on her face and the smiles she was receiving and he felt bad. She was clearly happy to do it. How could he have been so insensitive and spoken so badly about her work? How could he have not seen before that what she was doing was so important for these men?
The room was busy, murmurs of conversations and laughter filling the air as they all waited for the concert to start. He was there, at the back of the room, watching the girl he was in love with move like a gracious ballerina, wondering if she would ever forgive him for what he had said.
He had come earlier to see if he could help with something but, if he was honest, with the main goal of talking to her and presenting his excuses for what he had said a few days earlier. He couldn't bear her subsequent silence. He had found her in the main hall, busy stacking chairs. He had approached her cautiously, afraid to startle her and even more anxious that she would publicly reject him. After greeting her, he simply asked if he could talk to her and, to his surprise, she agreed without hesitation, even if she avoided looking into his eyes during the whole exchange. They had taken a few steps and stopped at the side of the big staircase, partially hidden from enquiring eyes.
"I was harsh with you, the other night. to speak slightingly of your work. I'd no right to do that."
"No, you didn't."
"It's just that when I look at you, not being sure if you're mine, I feel I may explode."
When he had finished what he wanted to say, he had waited for an answer but no word had emerged from Sybil's mouth. She just looked down at the floor, as if she was trying to decide his fate. Finally, she had looked up, her mouth opening to speak but Mrs. Hughes had chosen that moment to interrupt them - Isobel was looking for Sybil. He then looked at her walking away, feeling powerless and desperate to know if she had decided to forgive him or whether their love, or even their friendship could be saved. Feeling the heavy gaze of Mrs. Hughes upon him, he had looked up and mumbled something about going over to the drawing room to help, and had walked away quickly, before the woman could lecture him once again.
So now, he was here, agonizing.
The concert finally began when everyone was settled. Tom was watching the show but unable to see anything in reality as he was too busy watching the white and blue uniform from the corner of his eye. Once Mary and Edith took to the stage, Sybil finally stopped to walk around and came to take her place just next to him to listen to her sisters and Tom held his breath at the smell of her lilac perfume. He wished they were alone so that he could boldly take her hand in his and drop to his knees to beg her to forgive him.
And then, it happened.
He wasn't sure of it at first but, when he felt the brush again, he discreetly looked down. Sybil had come closer to him and the little finger of her left hand was brushing against his right hand. At first, he thought it was accidental but then, he clearly saw the finger flex in his direction and his heart beat faster. He took a little step aside, the fabric of his uniform mingling with the folds of her skirt, hiding their hands from observers. Feeling bold, he flexed his finger and his heart almost burst when he felt her fingers wrap around his.
And just like that he knew.
He knew that he had been forgiven.
The end.
