Angel rose early the following morning, unable to sleep as she thought about what she was going to say to Craig later that day. She had returned from London the
previous afternoon and had called him to ask if she could call at the mansion to see him. She felt more nervous than she cared to admit. Not knowing what she would
do if he objected to the marriage , after she had only known John a few short months. She shook the thoughts from her mind and started to potter about the cottage,
finding things to do until at last she decided that a cup of coffee was in order and then breakfast.
She knew it wasn't really any of Craig's business what she did or who she did it with, she just hoped that he would understand , and give her the support she
needed .
She had just made coffee when there was a knock at the door.
She swore silently and wondered who on earth would be about at seven thirty in the morning and headed to answer it. She was nervous and it was making her
irritable and she knew it and visitors were the last thing she wanted right now
To her surprise she found Actor standing there.
`Good morning`, he said
`What on earth are you doing here? She asked rather too sharply.
`I have a pass for today and on impulse I thought I would see if you were available for breakfast`, he said smiling at her.
She did not smile back.
`A lie is a very poor way to start the morning, and not what I expect from you , even if you do find it hard to tell the difference between truth and fiction most of the
time`, she said sarcastically.
Actor looked at her.
`I apologize , I am obviously disturbing you, maybe some other time would be more convenient, good day Angel`. He said tersely.
Angel watched him turn away.
`Actor`, she called after him.
He turned and looked at her.
`I'm sorry, got a lot to think about right now, but that's no excuse for rudeness.
She looked at him and smiled
Would you do me the honour of taking breakfast with me, sir `, she asked
At once the old Actor was back.
`It would be my privilege madam`, he said as he bowed to her.
She led the way into the kitchen leaving him to close the door behind him.
Coffee was poured and taken to the dining room where she sat in the chair opposite him,
So what are you really doing here? She asked.
Actor thought about lying to her but decided against it.
`I came to see if you were alright, you haven't been to the mansion lately and we miss you`. He said.
`Have had a few things to take care of`, she said
`So the Warden told us when we asked where you were`, said Actor
`Oh , I see, she said.
I just wanted you to know that if you ever needed anyone to talk to I would be only to happy to listen, ` he said.
Angel smiled.
`That 's good to know`, she said.
`I take the Warden is all right about you seeing the Major? Asked Actor.
`Angel nodded.
`Maybe a little too alright, he says he's happy for me, but I…. `, Angel faltered
`You do not know whether you believe him`, said Actor.
`Yeah, something like that`, said Angel.
`The Major means a lot to you? Asked Actor.
Angel nodded again.
`He means everything Actor`, she said quietly.
`Then you should fight for what you want, no matter what anyone else thinks, if you really love him, fight for him`, said Actor seriously.` If you don't , you'll regret it
for the rest of your life, and you don't really need me to tell you this now do you?
Angel laughed.
`No I don't, but it's actually nice to hear it said out loud`, she said.
Actor smiled at her.
`I wish you nothing but happiness, and if you ever need anything just ask, will you promise me you'll do that? He asked her.
Angel stood up and walked over to him. She wrapped her arms around him and hugged him burying her head in his chest. Actor held her tightly until she was ready to
let him go.
`Thank you, for everything`, she said.
`You are most welcome Angel, now promise me`, he said
She smiled at him.
`I promise , if I'm ever in trouble you will be the first to know, okay? She asked .
`Good, then at least I will not have to worry about you, `he said smiling.
`Now as I recall I was invited for breakfast`,
`So you were`, she said. `I'll cook , you can set the table, all right?
`I just knew there was no such thing as a free breakfast `, he said smiling at her .
`Too right`, she answered and headed for the kitchen.
….
Craig was away from his office when she arrived so she sat down to await his return. She was soon on her feet again pacing back and forth wondering how to start
the conversation she was dreading.
`Hope you can afford a new carpet, ` said a voice from the doorway. `You're wearing that one out. Why don't you just sit down?
Angel did as she was told without a word.
Craig smiled as he walked to his desk and sat down to face her.
`So , how much trouble are you in? he asked as he crossed his arms and tried to look serious.
`I'm not in any trouble`, said Angel finally looking at him.
`Then why so quiet? He asked.
Angel sat and thought about how best to tell him.
`I thought getting married was supposed to make you happy`. He said seriously before she had time to say anything.
Angel stared at him.
`You knew? She asked.
`Well you have been walking round with a silly grin on your face for the last few weeks, didn't take a genius to work out that he'd ask you to marry him eventually,
the man would have to be a fool not to`, he said smiling at her.
`You don't mind ? She asked nervously.
`Well I will if someone doesn't ask me to give the bride away`. He said.
Angel looked at him and smiled.
`Didn't think I'd have to ask`, she said.
`There you go again, taking me for granted`, he teased.
Angel laughed and then hugged him.
`Wouldn't ever do that, little Brother`. She said.
He held her at arms length and looked at her.
`Are you happy? He asked.
`Oh yes`. She said simply.
`Then you'd better tell that Major of your's that he'll be expected for Sunday lunch, because I'd like to know my future brother in law a little better`, he laughed.
`He'd like that, he knows how special you all are to me, and he wants to get to know you all better too`. She said.
`Good that's settled then`, he said hugging her. `I love you Angel and I wish you nothing but happiness`, he said kissing her cheek.
`I love you too, and getting married doesn't mean that I'm going to disappear from your lives either, we'll be back at the cottage every weekend, and some of that
time I will want to spend with you and the guys, so be warned you had better be available`, she said with mock sternness.
`Yes Ma'am`. He said
Angel laughed at him.
`Well I suppose I'd better go and get a few more guests for my wedding, wouldn't want them to make other plans and miss it , now would I? she asked.
`When exactly is it? He asked
`We were thinking of two weeks from now, just a small ceremony, nothing fancy, ` she said.
`I'll make sure my calendar's clear then`, he laughed. `I really am happy for you Angel`,
`I hoped you would be, ` she said. `Now I'd better get upstairs and tell them what's going on before they start lowering Goniff on a rope outside the window so he
can eavesdrop`, she giggled.
`You know them far too well`, he said laughing.
As she left his office Craig sat back behind his desk and took out a cigarette. He knew that despite all that she said that sooner or later they would become less
important to her. That was as it should be, her new husband would take their place in her life, and maybe the new family he hoped she would have. He was happy for
her, and she was happy, anyone could see that, but he couldn't shake the dread he felt. He was going to lose her, lose the closeness that they had. God he felt
depressed. He took another drag on the cigarette and then crushed it out in the ashtray. Taking the report out of the draw he tried to concentrate on finishing it. After
two mistakes in the first few sentences, he gave up and threw it back into the draw. He needed to get out of the office, needed time to sort things out in his head. He
stood up and grabbed some clothes from behind his bathroom door, he changed quickly and in a few moments he was out of the main doors and running towards the
woods , hoping that there he would at least be able to find peace.
…..