Alice’s stomach growled in dissatisfaction as the car stopped at another set of traffic lights. Ben had piled the flowers into the back seat, and anyone passing by would think they were heading to a wedding or funeral as the blooms pressed against the windows. It was lucky she didn’t suffer from hay fever because the pollen count in the car had to be through the roof.
‘We’re nearly there,’ he muttered, reaching for her hand and tenderly kissing the back of it.
She knew exactly where he was taking her. On their third date he’d tried to impress her, taking her to a very fancy restaurant he’d never been to before and ordering champagne the moment they’d arrived.
The owner had shown them to a small table in the window where a single candle flickered, showing off the delicate alcoves in the old building. It was a beautiful setting, and it had impressed her. As they’d sat at the table though, both excited by the prospect of getting to know each other better, they had felt so out of place, Alice because she wasn’t used to such finery, and Ben because, in his words, he’d never imagined falling for someone as beautiful as her.
Although Ben had told her to ignore the exorbitant prices and choose what she wanted, she’d made an effort to pick one of the cheapest things on the menu. After all, she’d barely known him at that point and hadn’t wanted him to think she was a freeloader. She’d studied the menu, unable to find anything she wanted to eat.
Ben had looked none the wiser as he’d studied the items, and had asked her to recommend something to him, eventually admitting he’d never been there and didn’t know what duck confit even was. She’d then come clean and told him she was happy to stay if he wanted, but would be just as happy to leave. He’d then suggested they scarper before the waiter came to take their order. Dropping some money on the table for their drinks, Ben had grabbed her hand and the two of them had charged out, erupting into a fit of giggles as they’d made it onto the street. To this day, they’d never stepped back inside that particular restaurant.
He’d then driven her to an Italian restaurant near to where he was living at the time. When she’d suggested they go for pizza instead, she hadn’t expected him to take her to a proper restaurant, but the second they’d stepped inside, Alice had immediately felt more comfortable. The hostess had clearly recognized Ben and had put them at a small table away from the other diners, where they could talk undisturbed. After the hilarity of their earlier experience, the conversation was no longer stilted. That had been the first moment she’d allowed herself to imagine a future with him.
Now, Ben indicated as he pulled the 4x4 into the restaurant’s small car park and killed the engine.
‘It looks busy inside,’ Alice commented, as they exited the car and headed for the door.
‘I’m sure they’ll make space for us.’ He winked.
Alice hadn’t known back then, but Mariella – the owner of the restaurant and effervescent hostess – had once been Ben’s babysitter before she’d gone on to open her own restaurant with her cook husband. As far as Mariella was concerned, Ben was always welcome. Even if the restaurant was packed to the rafters, she would find them a space to eat, and the garlic dough balls really were to die for.
Mariella clapped her hands in delight as she saw them walk in through the door. She kissed them both on the cheeks. ‘I am so glad to see my favourite couple,’ she cooed in her Italian accent. ‘It has been too long since you have eaten with us.’
A small television screen was on behind the bar, not that anyone appeared to be watching it, too busy with their own conversations. Ben gave Mariella a hug and asked if she could squeeze them in.
She looked around the packed restaurant. ‘I have a special table for my two favourites. Follow me.’ She picked up two menus and led them towards the back of the restaurant, where a small table was already set up with two candles and a rose in a flute-like vase. A bottle of champagne stood in a metal ice bucket to the side of the table, and on one of the plates was a small jewellery box.
Alice gave Mariella a curious look, but the hostess simply looked over to Ben.
‘Wait,’ Alice said, as she connected the dots, ‘did you arrange this?’
Ben couldn’t stop himself laughing as his latest surprise was revealed. ‘I phoned ahead before I came to the school,’ he confessed. ‘I asked if they could keep our original table free for when we stopped by.’
‘How did you know …’ but her words trailed off as he gave her a knowing smile.
‘I didn’t know, but I hoped you’d want food. I thought we should come back to where it all started. I still remember that first night I brought you here.’
Mariella waited for them to sit before handing them menus and telling them she would return in a few minutes.
‘You only remember that night because you seduced me when we got back to your place,’ Alice whispered affectionately.
‘That’s not the only reason I remember it,’ he smiled back. ‘Why don’t you open the box,’ he said, nodding at the gift on her plate.
‘You didn’t need to buy me anything else,’ she said.
‘I didn’t,’ he promised. ‘Just open it.’
She sighed, knowing there was no point arguing with him. His guilt must have been in overdrive for him to have gone to such effort, and she did hope he would stop spoiling her soon. Lifting the box carefully, she snapped open the lid and gasped as she saw the beautiful jewel-encrusted ring inside.
‘This must have cost a fortune,’ she admonished, studying the finish.
‘A small fortune once upon a time, maybe, but it didn’t cost me a penny. It was my grandmother’s. She bequeathed it to me on the understanding that one day I give it to someone deserving of its splendour. I had it cleaned up and adjusted so it will fit the index finger of your right hand. I had planned to give it to you on our first day in Barbados, but with that messed up, I had to come up with a plan B. Do you like it?’
She felt happy tears welling in her eyes. ‘Are you kidding? I love it!’
‘Phew,’ he said, exhaling loudly. ‘My grandfather was given it by his grandmother who managed to take special care of it throughout the Second World War. That ring has survived the Blitz, and it’s an antique. I can’t think of anyone more worthy to wear it. My grandmother would have loved you, and I know she’ll be looking down and smiling from ear to ear right now.’
One of the tears escaped down Alice’s cheek, and she quickly wiped it away with the back of her hand. Carefully lifting the ring from the small cushion inside the box, she held it for a moment. ‘Are you sure you want me to have it?’
He took the ring from her and slipped it over her finger. ‘A ring this beautiful requires the wearer to be just as beautiful, if not more so. I can’t think of a single woman in all the world better suited to wear it.’
The ring slid over her knuckle, and felt so natural that she couldn’t imagine ever taking it off. Pushing herself across the table she kissed him. ‘I don’t know what to say. Thank you.’
‘You’re more than welcome.’
She pushed her chair back. ‘Would you excuse me for a moment? I’d better go and fix my face before Mariella returns.’
In the bathroom, she couldn’t stop looking at the ring, and as she washed her hands ever so carefully, she dabbed a tissue against her eyes and took several breaths to compose herself.
Then, stepping out of the bathroom, Alice froze as she saw Kerry Valentine’s face filling the screen of the television behind the bar.