Timing was everything. She waited until he’d left the bathroom and was just passing her door before going, ‘Ow!’
‘Dee?’ His voice came through the door.
‘Ooh!’ she moaned.
‘I’m coming in,’ he said, opening the door.
She was sitting on the bed, clutching an ankle which rested on her knee. ‘I twisted it,’ she said feebly.
‘How?’
‘I couldn’t say,’ she told him truthfully. ‘Rub it for me,’ she said weakly. ‘That’s it! Ah, that’s lovely.’
Something in her voice made Mark look at her more closely and see what she’d always meant him to see, that her jacket was open again and her nakedness was a blazing reminder of what they had briefly shared.
‘Dee-’
But it was too late. She let herself fall back on the bed so that the edges of material fell apart, exposing all the beauty he’d been trying not to think of since the night before.
‘Stop wasting time,’ she said, laughing up at him.
Nothing could have stopped him then. When her arms opened in welcome, he went into them like a man coming home, seeking something outside all his previous experience, something he could never have described in words, but which only she could give.
This time she had some idea what to expect and was ready for him, or thought she was. But he still surprised her, taking her to new heights while he looked into her eyes in a way that was new and wonderful, and which made her heart soar.
Afterwards, he didn’t draw away so quickly but lingered as though more certain of his welcome.
‘What are you thinking?’ he asked.
Dee had been wondering how she’d lived so many years without discovering this particular pleasure, but she judged it not the right moment to say so.
‘I’ve been thinking how nice it is to have my Mad Bruin back,’ she said. ‘Just as mad as ever.’
‘Madder,’ he assured her. ‘Much madder.’
She opened the drawer by the bed and took out the toy.
‘You hear that?’ she asked sternly. ‘You’re much madder. He says so, and he ought to know.’ She held the little bear to her ear, then said to Mark, ‘He wants to know what happened to his friend.’
‘I’m afraid I don’t know. Things got very confused.’
‘Of course,’ she said quickly. ‘And I suppose you could hardly keep her at the base in case anyone saw her.’
‘Right.’
Dee sensed Mark had become suddenly uneasy and made haste to yawn significantly.
‘You’re tired, I’ll go,’ he said and hurried away, pausing only long enough to drop a quick peck on her cheek.
When he’d gone, she gave herself a lecture about how foolish it would be to be disappointed. She was no romantic girl, but a warrior converging on her prey. Tonight had gone well. He’d come to her bed and done exactly as she wished. What more was there to want?
That thought made her feel so optimistic that she fell asleep at once.
One night she came home to find the house quiet. Mark was in the back room, kneeling on the floor, holding Billy in his arms.
‘Thank goodness you’re here,’ he said, his voice cracking in relief. ‘Billy’s going. The vet came this afternoon and he wanted to put him to sleep, but Joe and I said not until you came home.’
One look told Dee that she’d arrived just in time. Billy was lying patiently, eyes half open, but alert when she appeared, as though he, too, had been waiting for her. Mark handed him gently to her and retreated a little way, staying just close enough to keep a hand on Billy’s fur.
‘Goodbye, darling,’ she choked, holding his head and looking into the old eyes as they faded. ‘Thank you for everything. I love you so much-I’ll always love you.’
As though he’d been hanging on only to hear that, Billy’s eyes closed and his breathing faded to nothing as he fell asleep for the last time.
‘Billy,’ Dee pleaded. ‘Billy, please-just one more minute.’
But he was heavy in her arms and there was nothing to do but lay him quietly on the floor while sobs shook her and Mark took gentle hold of her.
‘We were lucky he lived so long,’ he said huskily. ‘Remember how he nearly hurled himself under my bike?’
‘Yes, but for you swerving we’d have lost him long ago. Oh, Billy, Billy!’
Mark held her close, resting his head against hers. She could feel him trembling and for a moment she wondered if he, too, was weeping, having loved the old dog so much. Then he seemed to have a coughing fit and turned hurriedly away.
‘Thank you for waiting for me,’ she said brokenly. ‘I couldn’t have borne not to say goodbye to him.’
‘Neither could I. Joe said his goodbye before he went out to training, then Billy and I had an hour together. I kept promising him you’d be home in time, but I was becoming afraid you wouldn’t. I’m so glad.’
He drew her closer still, for now she was weeping without restraint.
‘I’m sorry, I don’t mean to-’
‘Cry all you want,’ he said gently. ‘He earned it, didn’t he?’
‘Yes, he did. He was my best friend. I’m going to miss him so much.’
‘You’ve got me. Of course, I know I’m no substitute for Billy-’
That made her smile, even through her tears. It felt so good to be here with Mark, taking comfort from his kindness, feeling close in a way that was rare. Their shared passion had brought them close but in a different way, one that lacked the sweet contentment that pervaded her now. If only it could always be like this. If only she didn’t have to tell him something that would change everything, either for better or for worse. But not yet. For the moment, she would treasure the feeling of being at one with him.
The sound of the clock striking made them draw apart, surprised at how much time had passed.
‘I’ll take Billy outside,’ he said, ‘and we’ll bury him tomorrow, when it’s light.’
He carried the dog out to the shed. As they returned, he said, ‘The house is going to be very quiet without him charging around.’
‘Not as quiet as all that,’ she murmured. ‘Mark, I’ve got something to tell you.’
‘Yes? What?’
Absorbed in her thoughts, she missed the hint of eagerness in his voice.
‘Well…after the way we’ve spent the last few weeks…how often we’ve been together in your room or mine…’
‘Dee, will you please come to the point?’ he asked tensely.
‘I’m pregnant.’
She waited for shock, dismay, she wasn’t sure what, but all she saw in his face was frowning concentration.
‘It’s very soon,’ he said. ‘How can you be sure?’
‘Most women couldn’t, but I’m a nurse, so-’
‘Of course, you’d know. Dee, I’m sorry.’
‘Sorry?’ she faltered.
‘I took advantage of your kindness. I should have behaved better, but…well, it’s done now and…’
‘And what?’ she asked, almost fearful.
‘You once joked that we’d have to get married. How do you feel about it now?’
‘Mark, for pity’s sake! Is that a proposal?’
‘I suppose it had better be. If you think you can stand being married to a bad character. I warn you, I’m no catch.’
‘Well, I’ve always known that,’ she said, exasperated almost beyond endurance. ‘I’ll just have to put up with
