PROLOGUE
England, 27th August 1939
"Its not fair!" I yelled storming out of the house and making my way across the field.
"Monique come back!" Archie shouted following me. I ignored his wishes and continued my way towards the river, which ran amongst the tall trees at the end of our property. Tears of anger built up near my hazel eyes and I could feel them begin to break the barrier. I quickened my pace as I heard Archie speed up close by me. The warm summer breeze had picked up, blowing my dark auburn coloured curls slightly behind my ears. The light wind also entwined around my curvaceous figure making my flower printed dress my mother made for me linger about my legs. Finally, I had made it to the riverbank forcing my body to a halt. The tears had broken through, and now ran down my hot cheeks. I stared out at the violent coloured sunset trying to stop my wild emotions from surfacing. Archie arrived not a moment later, and took my wrist tenderly in his hand.
"Monique" he sighed pulling me into his comforting embrace. I went without a fight, wiping my tears on his white shirt. After all, a hug was what I needed.
"It's not fair Archie" I cried "First Papa now you"
"I understand how you feel, but it's for a good cause," Archie stated with his charming British accent.
"War! A good cause?"
"To defend our country"
"There are plenty of other men to defend our country"
He pulled me away staring at me deep and hard with those bright blue eyes of his.
"It is an honour to fight and protect my country along side my fellow country men. Even if it does mean losing my life along the way"
I scoffed angrily, pulling away from Archie's hold.
"Dying to you is an honour? It's an honour to lose your life to help the welfare of England? What about Mama and me? Does it help us with the fact that those we love are not coming back?" I bawled.
"Look! Would you rather have German Swine invade our country? Because that's what will happen if I don't play my part in this war. If no one fought Monique including your father, we would be under German rule. I don't want that and I certainly don't want to watch Mother England fall" his voice rose with more wrath than I have ever heard spoken from his lips. It almost made me scared to see his temper rise. I stared down at my feet wiping my remanding tears away.
"Moni" Archie said softly lifting my chin up so I faced him again. "I've spent all those years as a film critic, critiquing German films. And I adore the movies; I adore the actors and directors. I've learnt how to speak fluent German from all those years of practise"
He paused bringing me closer to himself.
"Truly Monique if I had the choice I would have loved to have stayed in my magnificent job. I would have invited you every weekend to my little house in London, so that we could watch all the films. I would have taken you out for breakfast, lunch and dinner. We could go to the library where you would just swoon over the amount of books it stores. Walks in the park and dancing. These are just a list of all the exciting activities we could have done" he smiled showing his sparkling white teeth. I smiled back too.
"But now every thing is on hold. War is upon us and I must use what skills I have to defeat our enemies"
A feeling of selfishness washed over me as Archie explained his new duty to England. He had been my best friend since infancy and I loved him like a big brother. I didn't mean to act self-centred, but I love him and Papa so very much.
"I'm so sorry Archie" I apologised falling back into his strong arms. "I don't mean to be selfish, it's just I don't want you to leave me again. I love you and Papa so much I couldn't cope with the idea of losing either of you"
Archie pulled us down to sit in the long green grass. I laid my head on his chest while he wrapped one arm around my forgiven body.
"Oh Moni. You're not selfish. I understand what it feels like to fear what has become of your loved ones"
I nodded looking up at Archie's charming smile, which no women could resist.
"Don't worry about me. Just promise you'll look after your sweet mother. Ok?"
"Ok" I smiled back
"That's my 'Darling'. Now lets put a stop to our petty squabbling and spend this last night together"
"Yes" I agreed, rolling my eyes as he said Darling. On some occasions it was a pain to have my last name Darling. Anyway, It felt so much better not fighting with Archie, especially in the spot where we called ours. Ever since I was young, we would come here and make huts, swim and have little picnics together. But ever since Archie left to write reviews and articles for a magazine in London, it had become my place. A place I would come to when I was upset or when I missed him. Both of us were silent as we listened to the river running. I couldn't believe this could be the last time Archie and me sit together in our special place. No more fighting we must make the most of it.
"So Moni, have you finished my book yet?" Archie asked again with that elegant British accent.
"The one about German Cinema in the Twenties?" I asked back
"Yes"
"Um, well I've read at least a few pages" I grinned innocently. Archie grinned back.
"I could tell you had no interest in the subject"
"Then why give it to me?"
"I thought you might read it to humour me"
"Humour you? Fine Mr Hicox" I stated. "Oh by the way when you go to the Army will they force you to shave your poncy moustache off?"
Archie of course did not look like a ponce. He was actually very handsome. His chestnut coloured hair was slicked in a tidy style and his moustache was small and proper. I swear he had the most beautiful eyes in the world along with his breathtaking smile. Archie's eyes widened and a shocked expression showed on his handsome masculine face at my remark.
"You little minx" he laughed along finally catching onto my joke. Suddenly he attacked my torso with his hands tickling me. We rolled about in the grass full of mirth having a 'tickling war'. As you would put it.
"I'll teach you to call me a ponce!" Archie chuckled. We had made our way closer towards the edge of the bank when Archie pinned me down. His blue eyes stared into my hazel ones with an intention to do something. His face hovered near mine for sometime with a nervous expression.
"Archie?" I said softly. Without a word, he got off my body and sat next to me.
"I didn't mean it," I stated with my hand on his shoulder.
"I know," he mumbled keeping his gaze from mine. The ridge of his eyebrows were creased and his jaw was clenched tight together.
"Was it something else I did?"
He shook his head before taking a deep breath.
"I'm fine Monique" he smiled turning to me.
"Good" I smiled back forcing his arm around me again. I didn't bother to worry about is sudden change of mood but continued with our conversations.
"So you leave tomorrow with Papa?" I said wistfully.
"Yes"
"Then why aren't you with your mother?" that had been something I had grown to wonder about.
"Because Monique, I want to spend this time with you," Archie replied.
"Why?" I asked.
"Well, I love my mother very much and she is aware I do. But I love you also Monique" his voice was full of affection.
"I love you too Archie, as a big brother" I smiled.
"Oh…well yes of course, but I love you in a slightly different way…." Archie trailed off losing eye contact with me. Now confusion had invaded my mind.
"What do you mean?" I said with a nervous giggle. Archie moved closer to me taking my hands in his.
"After this war is over I want you to be waiting for me. I want you to come with me to live in London…Where you will be my wife" his elegant voice was mixed with the soft sound of love. I was stunned. So stunned I couldn't move a muscle in my body let alone reply. He has always been like my older brother and I was always like a little sister. Never did I think he would love me in this particular way.
"Moni?" he smiled trying to break my shock. "Say something"
"What do I say?" I asked still gob smacked.
"Well, say you love me too. As a future husband"
"Why? I don't see you like that Archie"
"Please Moni, Ever since you had turned fifthteen I've had this feeling of love towards you"
"Fifthteen! I'm almost sixteen!" I pulled my hands out of his grip clearly angered. "You're twenty two years old Archie!"
Frustration ran through my veins, as I couldn't come to grips with his unbelievable confession.
"I know Monique! But I love you" Archie stated pulling me back closer to himself. Before I could object anymore to his statement, I felt his lips crash onto my cheek. Quickly I pushed him back with all my strength making sure he understood my rejection.
"What are you doing Archie!" I shouted waiting for his reply. He didn't say a word except stared down at his feet. Shaking my head with anger, I stood up and ran back to the house.
"Monique I'm sorry!" Archie called after me.