Wishes and Tears by Dee Williams Page A

nodded.
    â€˜Well then.’
    She did like him, but did she love him? ‘You’d have to ask my father.’
    â€˜I know. But what about you?’
    â€˜I do like you, Mark.’
    â€˜Good, that’s settled then.’
    â€˜When were you thinking of us ... you know?’
    â€˜What about next year? That’ll give me time to save.’
    She smiled. ‘Mrs Mark Scott. Sounds rather nice.’
    â€˜I think so.’ He pushed her back on the grass and kissed her. It was a clumsy, searching kiss. He tried to put his tongue in her mouth but she didn’t like it. His hand was up her skirt and he began caressing her thigh, but she quickly pushed him away and sat up.
    â€˜Stop it.’
    â€˜Why, what’s wrong?’
    â€˜Give me time.’
    â€˜Janet, I haven’t got time. I’m off in the morning.’
    â€˜So?’
    â€˜I was wondering if we could ... You know?’
    She quickly stood up. ‘No, Mark. Is that all you proposed for? So that you could ... ?’
    â€˜No, course not.’ He laughed and stood next to her and put his arm round her slim waist. ‘I’m sorry, but you can’t blame a bloke for trying now, can you?’
    She smiled. ‘No, s’pose not.’
    They slowly walked back to the car.
    â€˜I’m really sorry, Janet. I shouldn’t have done that.’
    â€˜You didn’t do anything.’
    He grinned. ‘I would have if you’d have given me half a chance. I suppose you do have to behave yourself, seeing you’re the vicar’s daughter.’
    She couldn’t bring herself to look at him.
    â€˜Janet, I do love you, you know. Sounds silly, but somehow you miss things when they’re not there all the time.’
    â€˜I miss you too, and I’m very fond of you, Mark.’
    He started the engine. ‘I’ll leave it till next weekend to ask your dad.’
    â€˜When will you tell your mother?’
    â€˜After I’ve got your dad’s permission.’
    Janet laughed.
    â€˜What’s so funny?’
    â€˜Can you imagine it when our mothers get together?’
    â€˜I’m glad I’ll be out of the way all week.’
    â€˜Coward.’ Suddenly Janet was beginning to warm to the idea of getting married.
    That night she wrote in her diary: ‘Mark proposed and I said yes.’ She sat back and chewed on the end of her pencil. She was very fond of him but was it love? The thought of leaving home and going to live in London and being able to do as she liked in her own home was very thrilling. She sat up. Living in London - could she possibly find out who had adopted Paula?
    She wrote to Freda, asking her if she would like to be her bridesmaid. Getting married was going to give her a purpose and something exciting to look forward to, even if it was a year away. She only hoped her father would give his consent.
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    The following Saturday evening Janet was sitting in the garden with her mother. She was nervous; she knew Mark was asking her father.
    The Reverend walked across the grass with Mark close behind. ‘Did you know anything about this?’ His strident voice caused his wife to break off from her knitting.
    â€˜About what, dear?’ Looking up, she shielded her eyes from the sun.
    â€˜These two. Wanting to get married.’
    Irene Slater’s face went pale. ‘No—no, I didn’t.’
    Janet smiled at Mark, but his face gave nothing away.
    â€˜You are both very young,’ said Mrs Slater.
    â€˜I do have a good job,’ said Mark hurriedly.
    â€˜That’s as may be, but what are your prospects?’
    â€˜I hope to have my own business one day, sir.’
    â€˜Do you now? Doing what?’
    â€˜Second-hand cars.’ He looked from one to the other.
    â€˜I see.’
    â€˜Does your mother know about this, Mark?’ asked Mrs Slater.
    Mark shook his head. ‘I thought I’d ask you and your husband first,