Cat heard the train before it came into view from behind the mountain, and her insides somersaulted. It hadn’t occurred to her until then that perhaps when they saw each other, they may find they were not in love at all. She had screwed up her handkerchief so tightly with anxiety that it suddenly tore in two as the train, now in view, came swaying along the track towards her, bringing her man into town.
Shuddering to a halt, the train stopped and as the carriage doors opened people began spilling onto the platform. Cat tried to spot Louis. Then she saw him stepping down from the train, swinging his kit bag over his shoulder, a slow smile spreading across his pallid face. She walked towards him and he let the kit bag slide to the ground. They stood facing each other.
‘Hello Cat’
‘Hello yerself.’
She stood before him, pulling on the shredded handkerchief, wishing he’d say something. Louis reached down and picked up his kit bag.
‘Shall we go?’
‘Sure.’
Cat didn’t expect to be kissed in public but somehow felt a little show of affection would have been appropriate. Still she thought, he’s probably tired.
‘Louis?’ she began once they were outside the station and checked that nobody was within hearing range, ‘Ye do still want to get married don’t ye?’
He stopped walking and turned to face her. ‘Yes, I do, or I would not have travelled half way across Europe to get here otherwise.’
They walked down the lane leading away from the station chatting politely about the weather. Once or twice Louis glanced across at Cat and she smiled at him, wondering what on earth to talk about. She realised she did not really know him. They reached the end of the lane and he turned to her.
‘I’ll leave you here Cat, it’s supposed to be bad luck to see your bride on the evening before the wedding, but I’ll sleep tonight safe in the knowledge that this time tomorrow, you will be my wife. Mrs. Ross!’
Cat felt disappointed that their reunion was so brief and stilted, but managed to smile at the thought of becoming Mrs. Ross.
‘Well, if ye’re sure, Louis. Can you remember where the hotel is?’
‘Yes, I remember.’
He stood looking at her and she wondered again whether they would get on together, as they hardly knew one another.
Louis broke the silence. ‘I’ll see you at the altar.’ Then he stepped forward to gently kiss her lips before turning to walk away.
Cat stood puzzled, watching him as he walked up Main Street, then turned and slowly made her way home to Monroe feeling strangely let down.