| |
––––––––
Nick’s flight had been on time and as there wasn’t much traffic they made it back to Persford in just over an hour and a half. He’d managed to have some short naps on the plane so he wasn’t feeling too bad although his body clock was completely out of sync. It would take days to get back to normal and he just hoped that he wouldn’t have too many flashbacks about his ordeal at the hands of the terrorists.
As they pulled up outside his house his stomach was turning cartwheels as he was so excited to see Polly. He felt sick and elated in the same measure. Brett released the boot so Nick could retrieve his bag.
‘Thanks so much, Brett,’ said Nick. ‘It was good to see a friendly face waiting for me.’
‘It’s the least we could do after the ordeal you had,’ said Brett. ‘Now, get inside and see Polly. Don’t forget you are to take a rest for the next couple of days.’
Nick smiled and shook Brett’s hand. He took his suitcase out of the boot and waved at Brett who sped away quickly.
Polly had been watching from the front window and as Nick walked up the driveway the front door opened. They both looked at each other in silence, hardly able to believe that they were reunited. Simultaneously they both rushed forward and embraced each other. There was no need for words and in any case, no words could express their feelings. Just to feel each other’s presence was enough for that moment.
**
Maureen had gone downstairs to get some water. Ron was soundly asleep after their lovemaking which had been passionate and needy. Somehow the tension of the evening had found an outlet and they had satisfied it in the exploration of each other’s bodies resulting in a climax which had been the most intense of their relationship so far.
As she had lain in his arms she had given him an answer. She would be the new Mrs Radford. He had taken the ring and placed it on her finger. It now glinted in the moonlight coming through the kitchen window. She could never have dreamt of such a gift and even though she could afford such luxuries now in her own right she would find it hard to indulge herself.
She had no idea what the future held but it was time to take some chances and embrace opportunities. Life was too short to spend all one’s time deliberating and analysing things. She went back upstairs and slid carefully into bed. Not carefully enough though as Ron stirred and turned to face her.
‘I thought you’d abandoned me,’ he whispered.
‘I was thirsty, too much brandy I think.’
They kissed again. ‘You’ve made me a very happy man, Maureen. The future is so exciting. We will be a formidable team you know.’
‘I’m very happy too,’ she said. ‘I hope I won’t disappoint you.’
‘Never! Don’t say that. Now, let’s try to get some sleep. We’ve a lot of things to plan in the days ahead.’
Ron snuggled up behind Maureen and they lay together like spoons. She heard his breathing slow down and he soon fell asleep. However, for Maureen sleep eluded her and it wasn’t until light dawned that she finally dozed before waking suddenly to find the bed beside her empty.
**
Nick and Polly had sat down next to each other on the sofa and when the tears stopped flowing it was Nick who was the first to speak.
‘You don’t know how desperate I was to be back here with you,’ he said.
‘I’ve been frantic with worry,’ she replied. ‘When I couldn’t contact you I thought the worst. I was watching the news report and well, I thought you had been shot or blown up or something.’
‘It was the bravery of one of the staff, Deepak. Without him, I don’t know what might have happened.’
‘Don’t ever leave me again, OK?’
‘I won’t. The two of us will go everywhere together from now on.’
‘That’s not quite true,’ said Polly.
Nick frowned. ‘Why? I thought you wanted to be with me all the time?’
‘I do. But it’s not just the two of us. Not anymore.’
‘What? Really?’ Nick’s face was a mixture of shock and pleasure. ‘You did the test?’
‘I’ve done a couple and it seems certain. But it’s early days. I’m going to register with the maternity services so that I can have all the scans and support and so on.’
‘Oh, Polly, I can’t believe it. I’ve been so looking forward to this moment! I just knew that you would get the news when I was out of the country.’
Polly smiled. ‘Don’t tell anyone yet, not for twelve weeks. I still might miscarry.’
‘You won’t because I’m going to look after you.’
They hugged once more.
‘Look, let’s try to get some sleep. You must be shattered. I just want to hold you.’
Nick went to take a quick shower then undressed and climbed into bed next to Polly. Just to feel each other’s bodies was the best experience in the world. Nick felt so contented. Not just because of tonight’s news but because of the support which Matt and Brett had shown him and also Polly at this difficult time. It made him realise how friends were much more important than material possessions. Nick and Polly soon drifted off to sleep. Without realising, Nick’s hand had settled on Polly’s stomach, as if protecting their unborn child.
