‘Sinful and used goods,’ that’s what her father had called her in the front parlour where the main decor consisted of the large leather Bible on the plinth in front of the cross-stitched picture of the Ten Commandments. As he’d paced in front of the fire berating her and making sure she knew how thoroughly disappointed they were, her mother had sat in the high-backed chair next to him sobbing into her handkerchief. What if Jack was more conservative about those kinds of things? Men wanted to marry pure women, that’s what her father had made clear to her in no uncertain terms. What if that was what Jack wanted? Was she being fair to him not to tell him? She pushed the thoughts from her mind; she wasn’t going to let her past rob her of the joy of this moment. Lizzie would worry about that another day.
Slipping out of bed, she made her way to the bathroom and after getting ready, went downstairs. It was quite early, but Mrs Barton was already up, and the dining room had a little table already laid with home-made jam and butter on a white lace tablecloth.
‘Good morning, my dear,’ sang out her host, as she bustled into the dining room and set down a tiny jug of milk on the table. ‘I hope you’ve got a good appetite. We managed to get some bacon today,’ she exclaimed with such vigour it was as if she’d just struck gold, which in some ways it was. Lizzie hadn’t had bacon since she’d left Scotland, and she settled herself down happily to look out through the window and wait for Jack. The water was choppier today. It was rolling onto the shore in powerful grey waves that crashed down onto the creamy white sand. Hovering above, gulls danced in the wind before diving to fetch an early morning catch.
All at once, someone was behind her, a hand slid across her shoulder, and warm, soft lips brushed her neck.
‘Well, if it isn’t Mrs Henson-to-be,’ Jack whispered into her ear, and a shiver ran down her spine. Lizzie turned and stood up to hug him, and as she ran her hands down his neck, he noticed his hair was damp and his face was pressed against her cheek, smooth and soft from a close shave. Pulling back, he cupped her chin and tipped her face up to meet his lips. Then he kissed her deeply. Finally pulling away, he broke into a smile. ‘I hope you haven’t changed your mind,’ he toyed with her.
Lizzie laughed and shook her head. ‘Never,’ she responded as she locked her hands around his neck and pulled him in again for another quick kiss. ‘I know when I’m on to a good thing.’
Slipping out of her arms Jack made his way around to the other side of the breakfast table, but didn’t let go of her hand as he sat down.
He admired the ring on her finger then finally looked up. ‘It suits you, Miss Mackenzie.’
‘It will look even better when it has a gold band to keep it company,’ she responded with a quirk of her eyebrows.
Mrs Barton entered the room with the full breakfast for them both, and they settled down to enjoy it. After they’d eaten a very hearty meal, they decided to go for one last walk along the coast, before they made their way home. Jack would drive the car back to the aerodrome, where one of the other commanders would hopefully give them a lift to the railway station.
They walked the beach again, which with the blustery weather, was dramatic and awe-inspiring. And standing on the top of a dune, Lizzie closed her eyes and drew in a breath, drinking in all the beauty around her as she realized how much she loved being on the coast. The lochs were beautiful in Scotland, and they did have their own small tide, but nothing as dramatic and as breathtaking as the movement of the sea.
All the way home on the train, they talked about their plans, where they would live, how they would tell their families.
‘I want you to come to Scotland with me as soon as we have leave,’ said Lizzie as she stared out of the window watching the icy fields rush by.
‘And you must come and meet my parents and my brother too,’ responded Jack. ‘They’re going to love you.’
Lizzie curled up on the seat next to him and put her head on