BARBARA

There were very few diners when the breakfast room opened. Barbara selected a seat by the window where she could look out at the beach. She sipped dark liquid misleadingly labelled 'Coffee' while she waited for the buffet to open.

The sun was creeping up over the edge of the sea in a dazzling show of gold and silver that rippled across the waves to the shore. Today the world seemed bright. The air was crisp and clean. The sea sparkled and even the people seemed more upbeat. She smiled to herself and resisted the urge to listen to one of Tommy's messages again.

Breakfast brought her back to earth. The fried eggs were tepid and hard as if they had stewed under the bain marie for hours. The bacon had very little meat and could have been used as emergency repairs on a bike tire. The mushrooms were grey and coated in solidified ghee. She chanced half a grilled tomato, and two sausages that had burst through the skins at both ends.

She sat at the table and smiled. Years ago, she would have thought this was a classy hotel. Now she imagined Tommy politely selecting what he would eat and showing his disdain by carefully avoiding any direct criticism of the hotel while subtly highlighting the flaws. Faded grandeur he would label it - taking something that had once been for the wealthier holidaymakers and now presenting a populist perception of what class entailed for a budget price. She thought back to the time they had stayed in the caravan. She had been so excited about reliving her past, one of the few times she was truly happy, that she had not stopped to see it from his point of view. She cringed at how he must have seen it, and what he must have thought of her. How could she ever hope to fit into his world?

Suddenly losing her appetite, she pushed the plate away. "I'm being a fool. This won't work. We're just too different."

TOMMY

Even though Barbara's message had said she would not be arriving until after lunch, Tommy had set the alarm in his phone for six o'clock. He wanted to shower, shave and change. The nurse who came on duty after seven was a tyrant, but the young night nurse was more responsive to his charms.

"Morning Lord Asherton. You're awake early. Is everything alright?" she said when she walked in at exactly 6:05.

"Yes, thank you. I am looking forward to today. I would like to shave and have a shower. When can we remove these contraptions?" He gestured at his monitors.

"The Doctor will be here at nine. They will decide then on whether to unhook you." The nurse glanced at the door then the ensuite. "I can bring you a bowl of water and a razor, but I will have to check with the doctors before we let you out of bed."

Tommy tried his sweetest smile. "I won't tell if you don't."

"It's not worth my job I'm afraid. Not even for that smile." The nurse smiled as his pout. "I can give you another nice bed bath if you'd like."

"Another?"

"I used to wash you when you were in your coma."

Tommy smiled politely but inwardly felt violated at the thought of the woman touching him. "Now I am awake, I would prefer a shower."

"I'll ask the doctor. Meanwhile would you like water to shave?"

"Yes. Thank you, that would be a good start."

BARBARA

Her train was due to leave just before eight o'clock, but Barbara arrived at the station a little after seven.

"Good morning."

Tom looked up and smiled. "Good morning, Barbara. Heading home?"

She nodded. "Yeah. You were right. Tommy had left messages for me. Seems he does love me after all."

"Then why don't you have a smile as wide as Scarborough beach?"

She shrugged.

"Time for a coffee? On the house."

"Yeah, that'd be great."

Tom quickly ground fresh beans and made her a rich cappuccino. "Here you go. Now give. What's worrying you?"

"We're so different. Even if we do... love each other, how am I ever going to fit into his world?"

"You're not."

Barbara sighed. "See. What's the point of going to him?"

"He loves you, so he will change his world to meet yours. He won't expect you to be someone you're not. He fell in love with who you are, not some ideal trophy wife. You'll have moments, like most marriages, but if you both give a bit, and keep loving each other, it will work out."

"I hope so. Even deciding where to live will be a challenge."

"Not London?"

"He has a big estate in Cornwall. Howenstowe. It's near Nanrunnel. If he's pensioned off, London will probably have little appeal to him."

"If you're there, it will have enormous appeal. And you might find the country air suits you too."

"Yeah, maybe."

"Don't go back there scared of what might happen. Go back prepared to make it work. If he's worth it, you'll find a way. Now off you go. I don't want you missing that train."

"Thank you, Tom. For everything."

"And thank you. I've decided to follow my own advice and face up to my past. I have applied for a teaching job."

Barbara smiled, then hugged him. "I'm glad. You will be excellent."

TOMMY

After a lengthy debate with one of the doctors, Tommy begrudgingly agreed to a compromise of sitting on a plastic shower stool with a male nurse standing in the doorway in case he fainted. He had to use the hand held shower rose. He held it above his head and let the warm water wash over him. His side was healing well and the doctor had told him he could be released in 48 hours if he continued to improve and promised to adhere to a bland diet with no alcohol for another month.

Tommy would have agreed to run naked through Westminster if he thought it would persuade the doctors to release him. Although his doctor was rather odd and might have enjoyed that idea. He shuddered as he recalled their conversation which had started innocently enough. "Mother wants me to return to Cornwall to recuperate."

"Excellent. Fresh air and some gentle exercise will do you good. Walking only. Nothing with any impact."

"No horse riding then?" Tommy had joked, with a pang of regret.

"No, definitely not. And no intimate relations for a least two weeks and then only very gently. Not too much vigorous thrusting and do not have Miss Havers on top for at least a month. Remember she is still recovering, and jumping up and down puts too much pressure on your..."

Tommy raised his hand. He felt his face darken. "I understand, Doctor. Thank you, I will keep your advice in mind."

BARBARA

The train journey seemed to crawl at the beginning, but as she approached London, Barbara thought it was going too quickly. Her hand was quivering as it rested on the window frame. She took a deep breath. Maybe if she listened to his messages again, she might feel calmer. She pulled out her phone.

"I'm so sorry, Barbara. I struggle to talk about my feelings, but it doesn't make them less real. Remember that night at your flat? I knew then, I just couldn't bring myself to believe it. Forgive me?" It was followed a few minutes later by another. "I promise to try to be better. It will be with you because... so much between us is unsaid but understood. Except that you never knew I loved you. If ai had died, you would never have known. I dream that...it doesn't matter. You know now."

Poor Tommy was right. He did have trouble expressing himself about matters close to his heart, but that's what made his awkward messages and explanations even more endearing.

As the outskirts of London rolled past, she send a message: Almost in London. Will go home then come to the hospital about 1pm.

It took less than thirty seconds to receive a reply. No. Come straight here.

"Yes, M'Lord." Barbara shook her head.

Her phone beeped again. Please.

She took another deep breath then replied. I'm nervous.

She waited. His answer did not take long. Me too. I love you. It won't take long to get used to saying it in person.

Barbara let out a long sigh. "I hope not."

TOMMY

Tommy persuaded the doctors to free him from his monitors and drips, but they insisted he stay in bed. He had adjusted the bed so he was almost sitting as it gave him the clearest view of the door.

He checked his watch. It was almost noon. Barbara would be here any minute. He combed his hair, smoothed his pyjamas, and waited.

BARBARA

She paused in the hall. "This is insane."

Barbara turned and walked back to the lift. She punched the button and watched the numbers above the door tick down to her floor. The doors opened slowly. An elderly man had his arm around a gaunt woman in a dressing gown. A floral scarf was wound around her head. Her hand gripped a portable drip stand, and the tube ran from the back of her hand up to a bag of yellow chemicals. The way the couple looked at each other made Barbara feel as if she had intruded on one of the few moments the couple had alone. "I'm sorry," Barbara said.

She turned back and raced down the corridor. She looked through the small glass panel in the door. Tommy was waiting, his face turned to the door. When he saw her, he smiled. All her doubts vanished.

TOMMY

When Tommy saw her face through the window, his heart began to thump so hard he was pleased the monitors were gone, or the nurses would come running.

"Hiya," she said when she entered the room.

"Hi. Good trip?"

She shrugged. "Yeah, okay."

"I'm glad you're back."

"I'm sorry I ran away."

"I understand. I'm sorry about the coma or we could have cleared things up days ago. I do have vague snippets of memory of you sitting with me and holding my hand. I can't remember what you said, but I am sure you told me that you loved me."

Barbara nodded. "Yeah, I did. Once or twice. I didn't think you could hear me."

"Are you going to stand over there all day?" He reached out his hand. She took two steps forward by remained just out of reach. "Come here, Barbara," he said softly.

"I..."

She moved close enough for him to be able to take her hand. For the first time she looked at him. He smiled. Her eyes closed slowly. He noticed a tear in the corner of her left eye. He reached up and wiped it away. "Lie with me."

Her eyes opened. "What?"

He moved over then patted the space beside him. "We have plenty of time to talk later. Right now, I just want to hold you and feel your arms around me. I love you, Barbara."

"I love you too, but... oh hell, who cares."

Barbara dropped her bag on the floor and climbed onto the bed. She nestled into his good side and carefully laid her arm over his chest. He enveloped her in a huge hug. Her heart was racing against his ribs, but slowed as they snuggled closer. For the first time since the stabbing, he felt at peace. Tommy kissed the top of her head. "I've needed this."

"Me too."

"Barbara, I know that last time I asked this, you thought I was delirious, but it was you I was asking. Now that you know that, will you marry me?"

"Are you sure?"

"Never surer."

"Then yes, I will, but I am what I am, Tommy."

"What you are, Barbara, is perfect for me."

BARBARA

Barbara could barely belief her ears. Even though she had listened to his messages, to be here, in his arms, still felt surreal. She looked up and gave him her best smile. Tommy somehow found her lips. His kiss was tender and full of love. Neither of them tried to deepen it. This was not about passion, it was about truth.

POSTSCRIPT

TOMMY

Barbara was cuddled against Tommy's uninjured side as they sat on the picnic rug underneath the willow. They had been at Howenstowe for almost a week, yet today was the first day it had been warm enough for his mother to allow him outside.

"We should send Mother to the Continent for a break."

Barbara laughed. "You have no chance. Not until you are fully recovered. You know she had a quiet word to me about sex when we arrived."

Tommy stiffened. "It's none of her business. What did she say?"

"Not to overexcite you because your stitches haven't fully healed. I told her we were waiting until we were married."

His eyebrows shot up. "Are we?"

Barbara laughed harder. "No, not a chance. I told her we were taking things slowly. Getting to know each other."

"Getting to know each other?"

"That's exactly what she said. I said we were like teenagers slowly exploring each other's bodies."

"You didn't. Did you?" Tommy looked at her. Her head was resting on his chest but she grinned up cheekily at him. "Well, that will teach her to ask."

"The doctors did say no vigorous activity."

"Don't remind me. But my fortnight ban is almost up. And I do think I am more skilled than your average teenager, and you definitely are, my love."

"Am I?" Barbara's hand moved around his waist and settled on his belt buckle.

Tommy stroked her cheek with his knuckles. "I love you, Barbara."

"I love you too." Her fingers stretched down over his fly.

Tommy groaned then bent down to kiss her. This was something he would never tire of doing. Her mouth was soft and eager. "Let's go upstairs," he whispered when their lips reluctantly parted. "My stitches are almost completely healed."

"There you two are... Oh!"

Tommy groaned and Barbara's hand stopped caressing him. For a moment she left it in place on the outside of his jeans as if debating whether it hid or accentuated the obvious. He hastily covered it with his as if they were just holding hands.

"Mother!"

His mother glanced quickly at them. Her eyebrows arched only a fraction. "Sorry."

Tommy was relieved that they would not be lectured. "To what do we owe the pleasure of your interruption?"

"Did you order a stud dog?"

"What? Mother, you're making no sense."

"The Post Master from Nanrunnel just rang to confirm someone was home. Apparently a dog has been sent to us."

"How do you post a dog?" Barbara asked.

"The Post Office is also the local hub for rail parcels and couriers." Tommy glanced at his watch. "The animal probably arrived on the last train."

"I said it was a mistake, but the dog has to go somewhere, so I asked him to bring it up until we straighten things out."

Tommy tried to stand. Barbara helped him. His side was still stiff and painful when he moved too quickly. He did not need her for support but he happily let Barbara cuddle under his arm as the trio walked towards the house. The Post Master arrived just as they reached the front door.

"Afternoon M'lord, Lady Asherton, Ms Havers," the man said as he opened the rear door of his van.

"Good afternoon, Bill. Mother says you have a dog for us?"

"Yeah, the tag says 'Lady Asherton, from Tom'. I assumed you ordered it, M'Lord and forgot to ask me to look out for him." Bill pulled out a cardboard travel crate. It tilted awkwardly as the occupant moved around. A little black paw came out one of the small air holes. "He's a lively one, but it's been a long trip."

"Where did he come from?" Dorothy asked.

"Scarborough."

Barbara laughed and everyone turned to look at her. "I met his breeder while I was there. He's the one that convinced me I needed to tell Tommy how I felt."

"Then why send it to me?" Dorothy asked.

"I think Tom was rather hoping Barbara would have married me by now."

Dorothy smiled. "Ah, of course. I'll leave you to it."

Barbara turned. "No, come and meet him. He'll be our family pet." Barbara opened the box and scooped up the wriggling bundle of curly fur. She turned to Tommy. "We can keep him?"

"Of course." Tommy put his arm around Barbara and patted the dog who tried to nip his fingers. "And I think we need to change your name rather quickly, future Lady Asherton, and start working on that family for him."

Barbara grinned up at him and gave a little nod. "Carrington, meet Dad, and this lady is Grandma."

"Carrington? Sounds like a butler's name." Tommy took the pup and lifted it up. "Hmm, there's a vital part missing too. I think we might have to amend that to Carrie."

The pup tried to lick his face. Barbara took her back. "No little one. Those lips are mine." She kissed him to claim ownership. Tommy's arms wrapped around her as the pup wriggled between them.

"I'll be off then," Bill said, waving as he retreated to his van.

Dorothy took Carrie. "I think I might show Carrie the grounds. With all this excitement, I think you two should rest."

Tommy and Barbara grinned at each other. To hell with the doctors. They needed to make love, and it would be slow and gentle. "Good idea, Mother. We'll be in our room."

Dorothy smiled. "No hurry. I'll look after Carrie. I'll call you for dinner."

As Tommy led Barbara away, she looked up. "Your mother thinks wa are..."

He cut her off. "We are. Oh, we most definitely are."