The Sunday matinee performance was perfectly adequate. It lacked the explosive energy of opening night and matinee audiences are always somewhat more subdued. But the chemistry between Christoper and Anne resonated nevertheless and there was a newness to some of the line reads that caught even the most unflappable performers off guard which provided a welcome freshness. All in all, the second and final performance of the Queen's Academy Dramatic Society's production of Hamlet was a success.

When the curtain came down, a dark cloud swept over the cast and crew. The show was over. This living thing they'd grown and cherished had taken its last breath. They'd had it, held it, just a moment ago and now it was over, gone. The seasoned veterans like Esther and Timothy knew to expect the grief that comes with closing a show and were considerably better prepared than the rookies, many of whom broke down crying. Anne was somewhere between the two extremes. She felt the end of the play with a profound sorrow, but was also keen to circle back to Gilbert and explain what had happened earlier. Before she had a chance to disappear to the lobby to track him down, though, Christopher pulled her aside.

"Anne, may I have a word?"

"Can it wait until the cast party? Gilbert's waiting for me."

"It will only take a moment. Please." The serious look on Christopher's face compelled Anne to accept and the two friends found a quiet spot in the house.

"Anne, I have to apologize."

"For what?"

"This morning. I called Stuart to arrange the interview last minute. He's an old chum of mine from rugby and he owed me a favour."

"I don't understand."

"Okay. Wow, this is difficult. I have feelings for you, Anne." Anne took a deep breath, and Christopher continued at lightning speed:

"I know you're with Gilbert and I need you to know that I have no intention of getting between the two of you; honestly I don't. You're my best friend and I want more than anything for you to be happy. I acted childishly this morning, pulling you away from precious time with your long-distance beau because I was jealous. I am really very sorry and I promise it won't happen again."

Anne smiled, and reached her hand for his.

"Thank you for trusting me enough to tell me this, Christopher. Your friendship means a great deal to me. I need you to know that Gilbert has my heart, though, and he always will. Is this something that you can accept?"

"Of course, Anne, I already have. I just couldn't let this bit of business between us go unacknowledged, and I felt so terribly about this morning. Please, forgive me."

"Of course."

"Well, then. Let's track down that gentleman caller of yours? He must be desperate to see you!"

Anne met Gilbert and Dianna in the lobby of the theatre. Anne was gutted to learn that her message hadn't reached Gilbert that morning. She tried to explain everything (except the part about Christopher confessing his love which she resolved to share later when they were alone) and, while Gilbert said he understood, there was something cold and detached about his manner. When she inquired, he said that he was just tired from a whirlwind weekend and left it at that. Anne couldn't help but noticed the weariness behind his eyes. She hadn't seen the day before but it was clear as day to her now that Gilbert was carrying something. Something heavy.

Gilbert agreed to accompany Anne to the cast party which was at a little Irish watering hole off campus. Dianna couldn't be convinced, however. She liked Anne's cast mates well enough but knew better than to play the third (nay, forth) wheel at a closing night shindig. When they arrived, Anne was all but gobbled up by the cast and crew. Their heroine! Their shinning star! Anne for Prime Minister!

Gilbert relegated himself to a booth off to the side of the pub and nursed a logger for the good part of an hour before Anne finally tracked him down. She was flush with fun and drenched in sweat, having danced three consecutive jigs with her gang.

"I am so sorry for ignoring you, Gilbert," she said smiling, ignorantly assuming he was feeling as high as she was. "I'm sure this isn't what you imagined when you travelled all the way here to spend time with me."

"It's fine," he said. "You're here now." He smiled and Anne saw a little of the sparkle that had first drawn her to him those many years ago. At just that moment, Christopher came tumbling toward them. A little drunk, he squeezed into the booth on Anne's side.

"Gilbert! I've heard so much about you! I'm Christopher."

"Nice to meet you, Christopher."

"Isn't our Anne magnificent? She's the belle of the ball! The Queen of the hour! Wouldn't you say?"

"Indeed."

"I hate to interrupt but I simply must have this dance."

"Anne is otherwise engaged, I'm afraid," Gilbert stated, resolutely.

"I don't see the two of of you dancing," said Christopher. "And a tune like this one shouldn't go to waste."

"Actually, I think we're going to be going," said Gilbert coldly.

Anne loathed being told what to do, especially by a man. Even if it was Gilbert. But she could see the unfortunate position she'd put him in this evening, all day really, and she wanted to make it right.

"How about this? One more song, a quick round of goodbyes, and then we'll be off. Does that sound good to you, Gilbert?"

"Sure," he said flatly.

Anne's one song turned to two, and her goodbyes took the better part of a half an hour. When they finally escaped the heat of the pub out onto the frigid city streets, Gilbert was livid.

"Ahh! Can you smell that? Snow! Fresh show! How I love the winter," Anne said dreamily.

"Anne, you can't expect me to wax poetic after everything today."

"I am sorry again about this morning, Gilbert. I thought I explained …"

"It's not the interview, Anne. It's Christopher. You must see that he's in love with you?"

Anne paused, unsure of how best to proceed.

"I know," she said carefully, slowly.

"You know?!"

"Yes."

"How?"

"He told me."

"He told you. Really?"

"Just today. But don't worry, he has no intentions towards me. He knows that you and I are together and he respects that. He just needed to clear the air, in service of our friendship. Isn't that a relief?"

"A relief? You have got to be kidding me."

"I don't understand."

"A man who by all accounts is a "kindred spirit" has romantic feelings towards you, and that is supposed to be a relief to me? I don't understand you, Anne."

"Christopher is just a friend and that's how it's going to stay. He and I talked it all through and agreed. I don't see the issue here."

"Of course you don't." He took a deep breath of his own. "This guy, he's right here. I am a million miles away but he's right here. By your side. Every day. I'm sorry but I don't trust him. Maybe if I was around to keep an eye on him but I'm not.."

"You don't need to trust him."

"What do you mean?"

"You only need to trust me. And I am telling you that Christopher and I are friends. My heart belongs to you, Gilbert." Gilbert took his cap off and sat on the cobblestone curb. He rested his head in his hands.

"I am so tired, Anne, and I just miss you so much. The world is not as simple and straightforward as you want it to be. I am a million miles away." Anne could see the wheels turning in Gilbert's mind's eye. He was a million miles away in every sense of the world. She sat beside him.

"Not right now. Right now, you're sitting right next to me, beloved."

After a time, Gilbert took Anne's hand and the two of them stood. Anne turned towards home but Gilbert pulled her back, reaching for her other hand. Holding both and looking deeply into her eyes he said tenderly:

"Anne, will you marry me?"