Dear James,

Thank you for such a lovely day in York. It was wonderful to be able to spend so much time, just the two of us. I can't wait until we can spend more time together properly. Write soon.

All my love, Helen

Dear Helen,

It was wonderful to spend the day with you, sweetheart. The memory of it keeps making me smile. I hope we won't have to wait too much longer until we can be together properly, but until we can be, the memories of dancing with you, and holding you close will have to suffice. I love you so much sweetheart.

This week looks steady enough, and the evenings will be lighter soon enough. The lambing will start soon, as well you know, though I wonder if we'll get more snow again this year. I hope come the spring we'll be able to see each other properly, so hold tight sweetheart.

All my love, James

James'd been sat eating his lunch in the Spring sunshine, attention entirely occupied by the view in front of him and the prospect of an afternoon's work, when a voice said "Hello James," and he looked up to find Helen stood next to him. "Helen!" he said, as he scrambled to his feet and she smiled at him. "There's a lovely view from up here," she observed, and he nodded. "Takes your breath away, doesn't it?" James said and Helen smiled. "I saw the car was still at the farm, and Dad said you'd taken your lunch for a walk. I thought you might be up here," she explained. James nodded. "Just wanted to take a few minutes and eat my sandwich," he explained and Helen smiled. "Shall we sit?" she asked, gesturing to the bench and he nodded, clearing the paper from the seat so that Helen could sit down. "Your dad said you were in town?" James remarked and Helen nodded. "I've just got back. How are you?" Helen asked, wrapping her coat around her more firmly against the breeze and James considered her. "I'm fine," he replied "come here," and he extended his arm and she shuffled up closer to him so that he could wrap his arm around her shoulder. Helen sighed contentedly and James nudged his nose against her hair. "It's very good to see you sweetheart," he murmured and Helen sighed. "I haven't seen you for ages," she lamented quietly and James sighed. "I just wanted to do things properly," he replied, and Helen nodded. "I know," she said, and they sat together, watching the view for a few minutes. "No one could accuse you of being anything other than the perfect gentleman, James" Helen said softly and James inhaled. "I really hope that's true," he replied, glancing down at her and she looked at him. "You know you have, James," she chided and he smiled. "If it makes you feel any better, I miss you," James said. "I miss you too. Letters are lovely, but it isn't enough," Helen said and they smiled at each other. "It's been three months," she reminded him and he nodded. "A long three months," he said, mentally mapping the time and drawing Helen closer. "How long is long enough?" Helen asked and he exhaled. "I really don't know, sweetheart," James replied and Helen nestled against him. "People will talk," he reminded her "and I couldn't bear you being upset." Helen reached for his free hand and entwined their fingers. "People will talk regardless. This is Yorkshire," she pointed out and James laughed. "It's not my place to make remarks like that," he retorted, amused. "Probably for the best, eh?" Helen replied and he pressed a kiss to her hair. "Probably," he agreed and they smiled at each other. "I've missed you terribly," James said quietly and Helen smiled. "Good. I've missed you too," she said, and they sat in a comfortable silence for a few minutes.

"I think we've got to a point now, where I just want us to be together," Helen said "for the avoidance of doubt." James chuckled, glancing down at her and they smiled at each other. "I really want to kiss you," he said and Helen cupped his cheek, kissing him gently, and James returned her kiss. "I hope you know how strongly I feel about you," James said and Helen nodded again. "I love you, James," she replied and he beamed before kissing her again and then resting his forehead against hers. "I love you too sweetheart," he murmured and they smiled at each other. "I want to marry you," James confessed and Helen nodded. "I want to marry you," she said "though it seems madness to be talking of marriage so soon." James looked amused. "When you know, you know," he replied easily and Helen smiled, squeezing his hand. "And we know," she confirmed. They smiled at each other and James pressed a kiss to Helen's cheek. "I will ask you properly," he said "but I thought it was important to lay my cards on the table. I want everything with you, Helen. Children, grandchildren, the whole happily ever after." Helen smiled to herself and James pressed a further kiss to her cheek. "You're everything to me, sweetheart," he murmured and Helen turned so that she could kiss him properly. "And you to me, my love," she replied softly, and they smiled at each other. A few minutes later, James glanced at his watch and sighed. "I should be getting on," he lamented and Helen sighed. "I know," he murmured and they stood up. He held out his hand to Helen and she smiled. "Walk you home, Miss?" he enquired and Helen laughed. "That would be lovely," she said, entwining her hand with his and they set off back down the track towards the farm. When they reached James' car, he considered Helen and she smiled at him. "Can I see you this week?" he asked hopefully and she nodded. "Thursday's my afternoon off," James said and Helen considered this. "I'm not doing anything. If I ask Dad nicely, I'm sure I could meet you in Darrowby?" she replied. James smiled. "I doubt we'll get much privacy but maybe we could go for a walk or something?" he said and Helen shrugged her shoulders. "As long as I'm with you, I'm not too fussed," she replied conspiratorially and James laughed. "I'll write," he said and Helen smiled broadly. "See you Thursday," she said, squeezing his hand and then cupping his cheek affectionately as he ducked to kiss her goodbye. "Helen!" a shout came from behind them, and James chuckled. "You should go," he observed and Helen sighed. "Bye love," she said and he smiled. "Bye sweetheart," he replied, getting into the car as Helen made to walk up the track. "Coming, Dad," she called, raising a hand in farewell as James turned the car around and began the drive down to Darrowby.

early April 1938

John Alderson sat back on the bench in the Draper's Arms and considered the earnest young vet in front of him as he took a large sip of his ale. "It seems very soon for you to be asking me this, if I'm honest James," he observed and James grimaced. "I can't say as I'd realised you and Helen were even courting," he continued and James took a sip of his own pint. "Helen and I have an understanding," he replied and John pondered this for a few moments. "You'll not have it easy lad. People will talk," John reminded him and James shrugged. "People will talk regardless," he pointed out reasonably. "I love Helen. I want to marry her, and I know she wants me to have your blessing before I ask her," James said staunchly and John took another sip of his ale. "Does she love you?" John asked, knowing full well that Helen's hitherto otherwise unexplained rebuttal of Hugh at the altar had suddenly begun to make sense. James smiled but didn't answer. "I should have realised, I suppose," John mused and he considered James again. "If Helen loves ye, then I'll not stand in your way. I don't pretend to understand you young folk, but Helen knows her own mind. She's a good girl, and I like what I've seen of you, young man. So if you want my blessing, and I appreciate you asking, then you have it," John said thoughtfully. "You'll marry in Darrowby, mind?" he continued and James shrugged. "Whatever Helen wants," he replied and John nodded. "I'd like to meet your parents too, if that's possible," he said and James nodded. "My parents plan to visit at Easter. I want to introduce Helen to them then, and you, if you'd be inclined," James proposed and John nodded. "Aye, that sounds grand," he agreed and James smiled for the first time. "When will you marry?" John enquired, cradling his tankard in his hand and James looked pensive. "My father works on the docks, and there's a week in June when the firm traditionally breaks for the summer. If Helen agrees, that I'd like to aim for that week. I wouldn't want to marry without my ma and da there" he said thoughtfully and John nodded. It seemed fair. "Have you bought a ring?" he asked and James shook his head. "I'd like Helen to choose with me. It's always seemed strange to me that a woman should have no say in something she's to wear for the rest of her life," he remarked, taking another sip of his ale and John nodded. It appeared James had thought of everything. He liked the young man. He was evidently intelligent, honest and hardworking - a good foil for Helen, even if he wasn't a local lad. And if Helen loved him, and he suspected she did, then who was he to stand in the way. Helen must have been absolutely sure of herself to turn a good man down at the altar, of that he was convinced and if James had captured her affections, which with the benefit of hindsight, John could see that he clearly had, who was a father to stand in the way of his daughter's dreams and aspirations. Helen's mother had only been 18 when they'd married, not even 20 when Helen was born, and John could respect the young man before him for his considered approach. "Well, James," he said kindly "I hope you and Helen will be very happy together," and James smiled. "I hope we will be too," he replied, and John touched the rim of his tankard to James'. "I wish you well, young man," he said gravely and James smiled again.

Later that week, after surgery and supper were finished, James excused himself to stretch his legs, and he walked out to the back of Skeldale House, enjoying the fresh air. Even now in April, with a clear sky, there was a hint of chill in the air. Spring was well and truly upon them, but winter had not entirely left them behind. As he strode out into the village, he raised a hand in greeting as a couple of locals walked past and he headed out towards the main road, determined to get his fill of exercise before the day was out. As he passed the church, his attention was drawn to a familiar vehicle and he paused. Helen was walking back down the path from the graveyard and he considered her from a distance for a few moments. He knew she sometimes came to visit her mother's grave and he didn't want to disturb her unduly. As he pondered this, Helen glanced up and she raised a hand in greeting. James turned and walked down to meet her. As he came to a stop in front of her, he stooped to kiss her cheek in a way he realised now was almost instinctive. "Hello James," Helen said cheerfully and he smiled to see her. "Got time for a stroll?" he wondered and Helen nodded. They made their way past the Alderson's van and out along to a favoured footpath of theirs alongside the beck. As they walked, a companionable silence fell between them, and Helen reached out to entwine her fingers with James'. He smiled broadly, and firmly interlaced their fingers as they walked. "How was your day?" James enquired and Helen shrugged. "Oh you know, keeping the farm ticking over, Jenny's back at school now which makes the day a little easier," she replied "how was yours?" James wrapped his arm around her shoulders and drew her closer as they walked and she leant into him. "Oh, fine. Surgery morning and afternoon, with a couple of farm visits in between. Nothing out of the ordinary really," he replied amiably as Helen slipped her arm around his waist.

As they reached a passing place on the path, James stopped and Helen turned to him quizzically. James brought his free hand to rest on her waist and Helen looked up at him, expression open. "I've missed you," she confessed, resting her hand on his lapel and she tiptoed up to kiss him. James responded, tilting his head to meet her kiss, and closing his eyes as they embraced. As their kiss deepened, Helen's hand crept under his jacket to the small of James' back and he murmured to her, cradling her against him. When at length, they drew apart for breath, they gazed at each other, almost giddy with anticipation. "I had a drink with your father earlier in the week," James said and Helen looked at him curiously. "Oh?" she said, waiting for him to go on and James smiled broadly. "He seemed a bit bemused when I asked for his permission to marry you, if I'm honest," James explained and Helen laughed. "I told him that my parents would be visiting at Easter and that I wanted to introduce you to them. He asked to meet them as well, which obviously I agreed to," James continued, his arms still around Helen and she considered him. "He did remark that he didn't know we were courting," James said and Helen exhaled, her gaze still fixed on him. They smiled at each other and Helen laughed. "I'm sorry," she said and James frowned. "Poor Dad," Helen mused "no wonder he looked so bewildered when he came back from town." James considered the woman in his arms and she smiled at him. "I told him that I wanted to marry you," James continued and Helen dropped her gaze for a moment, smiling to herself. "And I told him that we had an understanding," James said and Helen smiled up at him. "We do," she confirmed, eyes dancing and she tiptoed up to kiss him again. "I wanted you to ask Dad's blessing, you want me to meet your parents, and then we can get engaged properly," Helen murmured against his cheek and James adjusted his grip on her so that she was more securely in his arms. "I love you, James," Helen said softly and he ducked to kiss her lovingly. "I've never felt like this about anyone before," James told her and she smiled broadly. "I didn't believe in love at first sight, until I met you," James said and Helen blushed. "It's true," he murmured, kissing her cheek and she smiled. "You say the sweetest things," she demurred and James smiled and shrugged his shoulders as they stood together. "Well," he said and Helen considered him affectionately. "Come on sweetheart, let's make for the bench down the valley and maybe we can watch the sun set before I walk you back?" he proposed and Helen agreed, tiptoeing up for a further kiss before re-entwining their fingers as they continued their walk.

They talked quietly as they walked, discussing their day and anticipating James' parents visit a fortnight hence. James' mother had been quite astonished when he'd written to them to invite them to stay. Siegfried had generously offered to host them since Tristan had plans to be away in Edinburgh for Easter, catching up with university pals, and James was quite willing to bunk down on a camp bed in the attic while his parents stayed. Mrs Hall seemed to be quite looking forward to the whole thing - James suspected she and his mother would get on rather well, and he was looking forward to showing his parents the town in which he'd begun to make a life for himself as well as introducing them to the woman he intended to make a life for himself with. "It's such a beautiful evening," Helen observed as they strolled and James smiled broadly. As they reached the bench, James had had in mind, they stopped, allowing the bench to take their weight as they watched the colours in the sky. James wrapped his arms around Helen, allowing her to lean against him and they sat for a few minutes in a contented silence, observing the sun going down beyond the hills. Eventually, James pressed a kiss to the side of Helen's head. "How long til we can get married?" Helen wondered and James shrugged. "How quickly do you want to get married?" he enquired and Helen laughed. "Banns take, what, three weeks?" she said and James' smile broadened. "So what you're saying is, you'd like to be married as soon as legally possible once we're engaged properly?" he enquired jovially and Helen looked up at him. "Do we have a reason to wait?" she asked and James pressed another kiss to her temple. "I suppose not," he replied easily. "I just want to not have to miss you all the time, to be able to spend my evenings with you without people talking, to just be with you," Helen said and James drew her closer. "It sounds wonderful," he murmured to her and she smiled. After the sun set, James kissed Helen's temple, and squeezed her hand. "We should get back, sweetheart," he observed and Helen nodded. "Before it gets too dark," she agreed and they smiled at each other.

Dusk had fully fallen by the time they reached the van and Helen turned to James to kiss him goodbye. "Are you working on Saturday?" she asked and James considered his reply. "In the morning, but pending emergencies, I'm free thereafter unless Mrs Hall needs anything done," he replied easily. "Can I see you?" James asked, his hands clasped in the small of Helen's back and she smiled. "Yes please," Helen replied and they smiled at each other. "If the weather's fair we could walk up into the hills," James mused and Helen nodded. "There's always the cinema if the weather's bad," she replied and James smirked. "Any excuse to cuddle up in the dark, eh, Miss Alderson?" he teased and Helen rolled her eyes, gesturing to the rising dark around them. "I rest my case," James retorted jovially and Helen entwined her wrists around his neck, pulling him down for a kiss to shut him up. At length they drew apart reluctantly. "I should get back," James relented and Helen nodded. "Me too," she replied and they kissed again, reluctant to part. "I'll see you soon," James said and Helen smiled. "I love you James," she said quietly and James smiled broadly, tilting her chin up gently for a final kiss. "I love you too sweetheart," he replied softly, before squeezing her fingers and holding the van door for her as she got in. He stepped back as she started the engine, and raised a hand in farewell as she drove off and away from the village. James shoved his hands into his pockets and strolled back towards Skeldale House.

"That was a long walk," Mrs Hall observed when he came into the kitchen and James caught her eye. "I, er, bumped into Helen," he explained and Mrs Hall looked amused. "Oh, I see," she replied and James considered his shoes for a moment before looking up and meeting her gaze. "We just walked and talked, watched the sun go down," James explained and Mrs Hall's smile broadened. She quirked an eyebrow at James and gestured that he should go and sit down in the front room. "I'll bring you some tea," she said as he made his way out and he flashed her a grateful smile. "Ah, James," Siegfried said, glancing up from his newspaper, and James sat down in one of the armchairs, grateful for the warmth of the fire. "All well with your parents' visit?" Siegfried enquired and James nodded. "I'm very grateful to you for your hospitality. My mother wrote to say how much she's looking forward to the visit" he said and Siegfried gestured that it was nothing. "My pleasure," he replied amiably. "James bumped into Helen on his walk," Mrs Hall said as she came in with a tray of tea things and Siegfried glanced from Mrs Hall to James curiously. "Oh right?" he said, clearly expecting more detail from one of them. James looked at Mrs Hall reproachfully and she smiled to herself. James sighed, realising that he'd essentially been cornered and he wasn't going to get away without further explanation. "You two have seemed rather friendly of late," Siegfried observed, holding his pipe and James considered his answer. "Helen and I are seeing each other," he said, slightly warily and Mrs Hall beamed, exchanging a conspiratorial glance with Siegfried. "For god's sake don't tell Tristan though, or I shall never hear the end of it," James lamented and Siegfried chuckled. "I'm planning to introduce Helen to my parents when they come to visit," James concluded and Siegfried considered his colleague for a few moments before he responded. "Oh," he remarked, leaving a weighty silence for James to fill. Mrs Hall handed Siegfried a cup of tea and he set it down on the adjacent table, waiting for James to take his and for Mrs Hall to sit down. "You're serious then?" Siegfried observed and James nodded. "Very," he replied resolutely. "Well," Siegfried replied, "well indeed." He didn't press the matter any further but the quiet glee in Mrs Hall's expression by no means passed James by.