Free The Back of Beyond by Doris Davidson Page B

life.
    He could hardly credit it. He wasn’t handsome, nor wealthy, nor particularly clever, he couldn’t make jokes like Dougal, so how on earth would a girl – the most beautiful girl in the world – be attracted to him? What could she see in him to love, for she must love him before she let him kiss her like that. He couldn’t believe his luck, and he’d save every penny he could – give up smoking, buy nothing that wasn’t absolutely essential – so that he could make her his wife. But maybe she didn’t love him? Alistair himself could not recognize it, but, even before the kissing, he and Gwen had blossomed in each other’s company, lost the apprehension of the opposite sex which their previous experiences had engendered in them.
    â€˜Good God, Ally,’ Dougal teased after tea one evening, while they jostled each other for space at the bathroom mirror, ‘you’ve been out with Gwen three times this week.’
    â€˜You’ve been out with Marge four times,’ Alistair objected.
    â€˜That’s different – we’re engaged and you only met Gwen about three weeks ago.’
    â€˜And I knew right away how I felt about her.’
    â€˜You’d better warn her not to say anything about you and her to her father till after our wedding. For any sake, don’t rock the boat.’
    That night, as soon as Alistair met her, Gwen said, ‘Dad’s laying on a special meal for Marge’s eighteenth birthday next Saturday, and you’re invited, too. He’s closing the hotel for the day, so I think he’s going to give his permission for her to get married … but only if Dougal asks him properly. How does he feel about it, do you know?’
    â€˜He’s scared stiff, but no doubt he’ll do it. Um …’ Alistair stopped, his face colouring.
    â€˜Yes? What were you going to say?’
    â€˜I was wishing … but it’s too soon.’
    â€˜Too soon for what?’
    â€˜If I said I … wanted to marry you some day, what would you say?’
    â€˜I’d say that’s what I wanted, too.’
    â€˜But it’ll take me years to save enough, so we’d better forget about being serious for a while yet, and not show Marge and Dougal we’re jealous of them.’
    Ivy Crocker couldn’t help teasing Dougal when the boys set off for the ‘special meal’. ‘You’re not going to the guillotine, you’re only going to ask her father one simple question. You can surely manage that?’
    â€˜Oh, Ivy, I hope I can! I feel like my mouth’s full of tongue.’
    She turned to Alistair now. ‘It’ll be your turn next, Al.’
    â€˜Not for a long time.’
    On the way to Guilford Street, he muttered, ‘Ach, Dougal, I’m as bad as you. I’m dreading this, for I’ll feel like a fish out of water. I don’t know any of them.’
    â€˜You know Marge and Gwen, and I don’t know any of the rest of them either. Don’t back out now, Ally, boy, I need you there to give me some self-confidence. You see, I’m worried that he never asked to meet me before this, and I’m not sure I can pluck up courage to say what he wants me to say, but if I don’t, he’ll think I’m a pretty poor fish.’
    â€˜You’ll manage fine without me.’
    â€˜I won’t! I’ll dry up, I’ll stammer and stutter and look a right fool.’
    â€˜That’s nothing new,’ Alistair teased. ‘I suppose I’d better come, to please you, but don’t expect me to say anything.’
    â€˜As long as you’re there, that’s all I want.’
    When they arrived at Jenkins’ Hotel, Marge took them downstairs to the kitchen where her father, a huge white apron draped round his vast body, was sitting at a long, well-scrubbed table putting the finishing touches to a mouthwatering trifle. He did not look up until