BREAKING POINT

Perfume! She had forgotten her perfume. She opened a drawer, huming a little song as she did so, and pulled out a bottle of perfume which she had hoarded carefully for just such an occasion.

This was Jeremy’s favorite scent. Whenever she used it he would sniff her hair with loud exaggerated sniffs and say : “Mmmm, you smell nice”

“Oh Jeremy. Hurry up and come soon. I can’t wait to see you”

She broke off her singing to look at her watch. He would be here soon. She went to the top of the stairs and listened for his footsteps. Then she rushed to the window in the sitting room to see if he were coming round the corner of the mews…

But it was too dark to see anything much. She turned restlessly back and wondered what she could do. The joint… That could go in now….

She was bent over the oven, when Jeremy arrived. She had not heard him come in. As she stood up he put his two long arms round her and kissed the back of her neck. She swung around with a little gasp and was gathered into his arms.

For a moment emotion prevented her from speaking. Stupidly, she felt like crying. It was silly to cry when you were so wonderfully, gloriously happy. Jeremy held her at arms length and said :

“Let me look at you darling. Yes, as beautiful as ever”

And she saw with surprise that he too, was deeply moved. There was a faint flush on his cheek and the hand holding her arms trembling slightly. She regained a little of her composure and said breathlessly :

“Are you pleased to see me, darling?”

“Pleased!” he said huskily, and pulled her against him where she could feel his heart thudding with think uneven beats.

‘He loves me! He loves me’ Penny thought triumphantly. ‘He has missed me and is truly glad to be home. Oh Jeremy ”

When he had divested himself of his coat, Jeremy followed her into the sitting room, eyeing the fire appreciatively and said.” lovely pink dress. Lovely you” And he drew her down beside him on the sofa. Penny leaned closer to him and kissed him on the neck between the edge of his collar and thick fair hair line.

“I like that place” she said. “Let me do it again”

He laughed, and caught hold of her dark smooth hair, pulling it gently backwards until her face was tilted towards him. He smiled down into her eyes and said :

“You know i do love you, Penny. You are sweet and exciting”

“I love you too, Jeremy. I love you” she whispered, and added huskily “Say you missed me. Say it”

“I missed you alright” Jeremy said. “I missed you and the flat… And even Benny. Where’s the little brute by the way?”

Penny jumped up and ran out to the bedroom to fetch the puppy. She felt wildly happy and excited. Catching sight of her reflection in the mirror on her dressing table, she saw that she was glowing… And yes.. Quite beautiful. As a young as Twenty.

Jeremy fussed over the dog for the moment, then drew Penny into his arms again, looking at her as if he could not see enough.

“I’m so glad to be back” he said “That I don’t know how to say it”

“Wasn’t it fun at all?” Penny asked. “Didn’t you see any of your old pals?”

“Most of them didn’t come because of the weather.”

“I’m so sorry. I had a lovely time with my old folk. But I missed you my darling. God, how I missed you”.

His eyes approved. He kissed her again, gently biting her lips.Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

“Uncle Charles and aunt Ann are longing to meet you. I’ve got to take you down there soon” Penny said when he released her. “They are very pleased about our engagement…”

“Good” said Jeremy casually, then added. “That reminds me. I did do one thing which was worth while”

He went out to the hall and rummaged in his overcoat pocket. He returned and handed Penny a small box.

“There” he said. “with my love, gorgeous”

Penny held her breath as she tore the brown paper and string. She knew immediately that it was a ring… By the size and shape of the box… Then as she drew it off the velvet bed, she said:

“Ooh Jeremy” she breathed. “It is perfectly beautiful”

He had chosen a large, oblong aquamarine, sat plainly in platinum. It’s very simplicity endeared it to Penny at first glance.

“Here, let me put it on” Jeremy said, taking the box from her. Penny held out her hand and he slipped the ring over her engagement finger.

“Like it?” he asked.

“Oh, i love it, Jeremy. It’s perfect” she cried and flinging her arms around his neck, kissed him over and over again.

“That makes you mine” Jeremy said, laughing at her radiant face.

“I’m yours without the ring. I’ve been yours for a long time, Jeremy. I love you more than anything or anybody in the whole world”

“That seems to be the way I feel about you. Now, I want a drink. Then something to eat. You wanna go out?”

“Oh no. I’ve fixed a meal here” Penny said quickly. “Lamb and baked potatoes, because you like them best that way. I will pour you a drink. I’ve got some red wine”

Her delirious, youthful happiness increased as the evening went by. Her dinner was a success and Jeremy was on top of his form. He teased Penny because she kept looking at her ring. He told her she had better wear it on a string round her neck or else she might lose it. He even put it on his little finger while Penny was in the bath, and sat beside her smoking a cigarette, making her laugh.

When she was in bed he brought her a cup of tea…

“You are spoiling me, Jeremy” she said, letting her tea grow cold while she watched him, unable to take her eyes from his face.

“You are worth spoiling darling” he said. “I have never seen you look as heavenly as you do tonight”

“That’s because I’m so happy” Penny murmured. “I don’t think I have been so happy before in my whole life”