Curtain Call

They raced in the taxi from the station, the train had been delayed, leaves on the line or some such nonsense and now they were late.

"I TOLD you to come down yesterday " she nagged him for the 100th time since King's Cross, looking worriedly at her watch. "They wont let us in if we're late!" she tapped her fingers nervously on her bag.

"Oh come off it, they'll let us in , you know that!" Jamie's eyes glinted wickedly as he watched his little cousin stress for what he thought was absolutely no reason at all.

She had been down a long road and this was a night out that was sorely needed. Back to where is all began, The Donmar. The play wasn't Shakespeare this time, it was a Pinter drama but they knew someone in it and she had decided the time was right. Time to do normal stuff, put the past behind them. Well, almost. She still walked a little awkwardly, and high heels sadly were still a no-no despite her best efforts. Priorities girl, she thought to herself, at least you are here to moan about it!

The taxi drew up and they dashed - well Jamie dashed - inside to make sure they were in time. He emerged a few seconds later and nodded "we're good, seems they knew we were coming?" he shrugged, "cant imagine how" and she laughed.

"Oh Jamie, you're such an idiot!"

They squished along the back row, bumping people just like last time, and just like last time they had seats in the centre back. Amy sat down with a thump, and looked around. The theatre was packed. Opening night, and this time no delays. She looked around and spotted a familiar face a few seats along. Shyly, she waved and he smiled back, nudging him companion. She looked over and waved "see you at the interval?" she mouthed and Amy nodded. Rose was a lovely girl, she'd sent such a kind note when she'd heard through Kit what had happened, and they regularly chatted after that. Now they sat a little away, enjoying a rare night out where they could be relaxed. Life in the spotlight was hard.

Jamie nudged her,

"You ok? You've not been back since.." he didn't need to say it, she knew exactly what he meant. That night. Almost a year ago now. She rubbed her leg, it still pained her from time to time, but she was almost back to normal. Whatever that was!

The lights started to dim, they were about to start. She was looking forward to the play, it seemed a lifetime ago since she did anything like this. There was only one more thing that could have made this night complete. Sitting next to Tom. Her heart still quickened when she thought of him, even now. They had been inseparable, he had come down to his mum's as often as he could, sometimes just for a few hours so they could be together and his mum had become like a second mum to her too. She smiled at how Diana had been sad when she left, held her close and told her to come back as often as she wanted.

Now though, things had changed. She had a beautiful new house - and a dog, a little brown whirlwind - in London. She'd decided to stay after all. She could work remotely and take her laptop anywhere she needed to. Just as well really. Her life was so different now, full of opportunities and new beginnings. Tears pricked her eyes and Jamie whispered

"you ok?"

"never better, now shhhh!" they giggled.

Only half listening to the opening scene, her mind wandered to that morning, sitting in that new home. She'd fed the dog, let him tear round the garden for a few minutes - a walk would come later - then made some tea. Earl Grey of course. And some toast. Taking them upstairs, hands full, she booted open the bedroom door.

"Come on lazy bones, time to rise and make the flowers grow with your smile!"

The body in the bed groaned and pulled the pillow back over his head.

"Go away you harpie!" he laughed "you are a devil woman, depriving me of sleep." he rolled over, a hand over his eyes, his smile as broad as his muscular chest. But up he'd got, dressed, tea and toast and out the door with a kiss. "See you tonight, don't be late" and he was off....

Now, dragging herself back to the play, there was a murmur in the audience as the lead actor came on and she smiled to herself. Things would always be like that for him, he would always draw the gasps and the smiles.

She didn't mind, he would always save his best smiles for her. She glanced down at her hands , carefully folded in her lap, and the glint of an emerald caught her eye. The ring, the one that had appeared one sunny Saturday last month as they strolled on the beach in Suffolk. He had cried and so had she, they had kissed - alot - and the dog had barked. There had been a bit of a scene on the beach as people realised who and what was happening.

She didn't care, she no longer worried about anything. Anything she couldn't deal with (which wasn't much in truth) he would take care of, just like he had ever since that first night. No, she remembered , he was indeed no God, but he was her Warrior King, her soulmate and now, her Fiance. As she looked up to the stage where he now performed, just a few feet away looking out to her in the back row, she smiled and happy, proud tears fell, for her King. For Tom.