Page 152 of How We Began

“Yep, she brought up my mum by herself and she never spoke to her parents again.”

“Oh. Did she ever see him again?”

“No. I don’t think so. She returned to India much later, twenty years later, but she never told anyone what she found there.”

It was the saddest thing I’d ever heard, not helped by the fact I’d drunk four pints of Stella. I started to cry.

Surprise, surprise, Lilah McCannon was crying again.

“That’s really awful. I can’t believe it, your poor Gran.”

“Yeah, it is.” The blues were intent and watchful.

“You’re trying to get me to change my mind, aren’t you?”

“Lilah, I constantly hope that you’re going to change your mind, but I know you well enough to know that you won’t.”

I nodded, all my words stolen.

“Come on, Miss McCannon. It is time for the second half of your date.”

“Yay!” I said, chugging down the rest of my drink. I needed a change of scene, my chest aching heavy after the tale of Ben’s gran.

He grabbed hold of my hand and lead me into the cooler night air. I followed blindly, no idea where we were as we meandered down a dodgy back road.

After a few turns, I instantly had my bearings. I came to an abrupt standstill because I’d never seen anything more beautiful in my life. That’s because I hadn’t seen Trafalgar Square at night before. Truly amazing. The fountains were lit and glowing like swimming pools. The sprays of water caught the light, falling in golden droplets all around. Ben led me over to the edge of one and we sat watching the beautiful water swirl around our fingers.

The moment spun like a beautiful dream. The most romantic thing I had ever seen. Ben’s fingers linked with mine and he studied me as silence cloaked over us.

Minutes passed and we just sat there looking at each other and listening to the water splash. Finally, he pulled me in, his lips seeking mine, slow and warm, searching for me and waiting for my response. My legs went to jelly and he slid himself closer along the edge of the fountain so we were as close as could be. There we sat for what might have been hours or maybe just minutes.

Finally, I pulled away and looked at him. I needed oxygen, or something.

“Thank you,” I said, although it sounded silly, a bit like saying, ‘Thank you for kissing me and making me swoon in Trafalgar square.’

“You’re welcome.” He flashed me his wicked grin and I watched as he slid his hand into his pocket.

I assumed he was going to get a cigarette and was about to say, that is not at all romantic, when I saw a ring nestling in his palm instead.

Oh, my god!

Palpitations!

“Calm down, Lilah. I’m not proposing. It is just that this is where I was going to do it, and I wanted to give this to you.”

With shaking fingers, I examined the ring. A sapphire solitaire in the lightest blue I’d ever seen, it sat on a slim plain band held in place with just four discreet claws.

“It’s beautiful, Ben.”

It really was. Really is… I’m staring at it now as I write. It matches his eyes exactly.

Then as I sat there on the fountain staring at it, I realised that it also matched my necklace. The necklace that I thought was topaz and came from Meredith. I lifted my hand to my throat and touched it. I’d not taken it off since my birthday. He bit down on a grin when he knew I’d put the two together.

“This was from you?” There, I managed four words.

“Yeah. I knew you would go crazy if I turned up and gave it to you, so I asked Meredith to help. I’ve seen you wearing it every day since.”

“You told me under our tree that you were going to propose that night.”