part0025

Janie and Abby visited them together in London, they made fun of their domesticity. “Hey Steph, is this your flat, it looks so different?”

Steph reached for Mia who was sitting next to her on the couch, taking her hand. “Thank Mia, she’s the one whose made it a home.”

Mia smiled, embarrassed. she wondered if they thought her foolish given her stay was only meant to be temporary, did they think she was trying too hard, that Steph was too good for her? She wished they had been able to say about Gibraltar, but it wasn’t confirmed so they’d agreed not to tell anyone, even family. She suddenly realised they hadn’t thought to tell anyone about their plan to remain together either, now she wished they had, she might have felt less pathetic right now.

Janie smiled. “Great work Mia, I love it. I didn’t see the before, but I can imagine, I’ve seen her previous homes.”

Steph groaned. “Hey, hello I’m right here you know. You’d think I lived in hovels, this isn’t a bad flat, I’d never be able to afford to own it.”

Abby looked around her. “Well you never know you’re doing really well, but she’s right it’s now a home.”

Steph smiled at Abby, she looked proud, squeezing Mia’s hand. “Well if you like this wait until you see outside, given it’s such a lovely evening we thought we’d eat outside, Mia’s got the touch.”

“Great idea.” Abby smiled. “Talking of when I was here last that reminds me.” She handed Steph a bag she had bought at the airport. “Chill these for me will you?”

Steph looked inside, seeing 2 bottles of champagne. Suddenly she looked at Abby and reached for her left hand. “Oh my god, she said yes. Abby that great, congratulations.”

Janie ran over and grabbed her hand, staring at the large square diamond ring. “How the hell did you manage to hide that rock all the way down here, god I’m so unobservant.” She pulled Abby into a hug, tears in her eyes. “I’m so happy for you babe.”

Mia waited for Janie to let go before hugging her. “Congratulations Abby, Ailsa’s lovely I’m really happy for both of you.”

Abby had tears in her eyes. “I’m the lucky one, turns out we were both planning to propose at the same time, we both had rings. When I got down on my knees she looked so shocked at first that I thought she might be going to say no, then she went into the bedroom and brought out a small box. Then we were both on our knees.”

“Right, tell us all about it, just hold that thought until I open the champagne, I’ve got a chilled one in the fridge.”

They had a fun weekend with their friends, which didn’t involve much sight-seeing other than the inside of bars and the shops of Oxford Street.

Steph and Mia were determined to make the most of their remaining time in London. They were both interested in the reign of Henry VIII, realising their joint interest after a visit to the Tower of London. This interest grew and they visited Hampton Court, and even travelled farther afield to Hever Castle where Anne Boleyn spent her childhood. Steph was amazed at the almost encyclopaedic level of knowledge Mia had about his life and loved hearing her talking about it. “It’s like having my own personal tourist guide. With obvious benefits.”

“Mm, that true. Well I loved history at school, I thought about studying it at Uni, but I also wanted to nurse, and knew that I’d be able to travel more easily. I used to gate-crash some history classes too.”

“What made you want to be a nurse?”

“My gran actually, my dad’s mum, she was a nurse. She worked on the children’s cancer ward. the way she talked about the kids was amazing, she’d bring home drawings they’d done for her and stick them to the fridge. Of course, there were times when they didn’t make it, she’d be heartbroken, it was like they were her kids, like she’d lost one of her own. I remember her taking me with her to the ward one Christmas, she wasn’t on shift, but she wanted to see them. I just remember being fascinated. That was the fantasy though, it’s very hard work.”

“I don’t doubt it. I know I couldn’t do what you do.”

“Incredibly rewarding though, although I don’t know how she did it. I tried working in children’s wards, but I struggle with them if I’m honest. I looked up to my gran, she was a great woman. She taught me to stand up for myself too. When my guidance teacher asked me what I wanted to do when I grew up, I immediately thought of her.”

“Well it’s obviously where you get some of your caring nature Mia.”

“Why thank you babe.”

“Well it’s true. Anyway, as for history just think you can soon immerse yourself in the Spanish history and culture.”

“Yes, I can’t wait, I’ve already started reading the history, so many people think of Spain as British holiday location, like Britain in the sun, it’s so much more. I’ve been reading about Franco and the Spanish Civil War. We can go to the Alhambra Palace too, I’m sure that’s where Katherine of Aragon grew up, and Seville has a huge monument to her parents, they brought two huge regions of Spain together.”