Page 110 of Neighbors at War

‘Which is precisely why we shouldn’t waste our time,’ he argued. ‘The British soldiers will be coming ashore at the harbour and if my contact there is right, then the place where we should wait to see them is the North Pier.’

‘Come along, Mum,’ Peggy said. ‘It’s closer to where we are anyway.’ Her mother didn’t argue. Peggy could tell she was already slightly weary despite her excitement.

‘Fine, we’ll do that, then, but if you’re wrong, Tony⁠—’

He pulled a face at Peggy making her laugh. ‘You’d better not be,’ she teased.

They arrived and found a good place to stand just as the Tommies disembarked. An enormous cheer filled the air. Peggy didn’t think she had ever cheered so loudly or with such delight. She clung to Tony’s hand and waved wildly with her free one. Smiling soldiers made their way through the crowd, slowly because everyone was trying to shake their hands, thank them and welcome them to the island.

‘I can’t believe it really has happened.’

‘It has, my darling. We made it.’

She saw the exhaustion in his eyes and pulled him down to kiss her. ‘I always knew we would,’ she fibbed.

* * *

‘I’m going to take Mum home,’ Babs said after almost an hour of excitement.

Peggy looked from her sister to her mother. ‘Mum, are you unwell?’

Ida shook her head. ‘Only footsore,’ she said wincing. ‘These shoes are pinching something terrible. I’m not used to walking this far anymore.’

‘Would you like us to come with you?’

‘You two stay here and have some fun. It’s been a long time coming and you have the energy to enjoy it all.’

Tony slipped his arm around Peggy’s shoulders. ‘I’ll look after her, Mrs Hamel.’

‘I know you will, my love.’

Peggy put her arm around Tony’s waist so that she didn’t lose him in the crowds. ‘I’ll see you in a bit,’ she shouted after them, though wasn’t sure if her mother or sister heard.

His arm dropped and he took her hand in his. ‘Come with me,’ he said, leading her away from the crowds.

‘Where are we going?’ Peggy laughed as she ran next to him.

‘Not far. I only want to take you somewhere quieter.’ He glanced down at her, a twinkle in his eyes, and she suspected he wanted to kiss her.

She stumbled but he kept her from falling. Peggy laughed at the feeling of freedom. He led her past the crowds celebrating in front of the Pomme d’Or, down Mulcaster Street and into the Town Church garden, where fewer people were congregated.

‘Here will have to do,’ he said – looking a little nervous, she realised.

‘Do for what?’ They were out in the open – not really a place for a passionate kiss.

He let go of her hand and pushed his fingers through his hair, then straightened his jacket. Peggy was about to ask him what he was doing when he got down on one knee.

Her hands flew to her mouth and she gasped, barely able to take in what was happening.

From one of his pockets he withdrew a ring box and, after taking a deep breath, opened it.

‘Peggy Hamel, I’ve loved you from the first moment I saw you. I told you when we first began courting that I wouldn’t ask you to marry me until the war was over and we were liberated.’ He beamed at her. ‘Which we now are.’

‘We are,’ she whispered, delighted he hadn’t wasted any time asking her.

He stared at her. ‘You haven’t answered me,’ he said.

Peggy reached out and touched his cheek lightly. ‘Because you haven’t actually asked me anything yet.’