Looking at Tomas’ serious face, I begin to worry. I enjoy my life here, and it has all worked out so perfectly. I have everything I never knew I wanted and so much to lose if Tomas doesn’t feel the same way.
‘Is everything okay?’ I ask.
Tomas reaches into his coat pocket and fumbles about. Is my nose running in the cold and he wants to give me a handkerchief? How utterly mortifying!
Thankfully, it isn’t a handkerchief but a little purple box. I immediately recognise that special box.
‘Olivia, it’s been a year since we first met, and I’ve never been happier. I want to make sure we never lose each other. I’m a bit nervous, to be honest. But…’
Tomas opens up the purple box, leaving what is inside in full view.
‘Would you do me the honour of being my wife?’
Snow falls down right in the centre of the ring, and the diamond shines under the glistening snowflake. Tomas removes the solitaire from the box, wipes it over and holds it in his hand.
‘What do you think?’
With the snow gently falling, the castle turrets watching over us, and Tomas looking at me in anticipation, there could only be one answer.
‘Oh, Tomas! Yes, yes, yes!’
I almost rip my mitten from my hand, and Tomas puts the ring on my finger. It is the perfect fit. Tomas must have remembered that the ring was too small for me and had it re-sized. I hold out my hand and stare at my ring finger. Marek had such good taste. It is the most perfect engagement ring I have ever seen.
I stand for a moment, trying to take it all in. A castle, a handsome man in the snow and the engagement ring of my dreams almost make me want to pinch myself. Tomas has given me my fairy-tale movie moment once again.
‘You’d better put your mittens back on. It’s cold,’ says Tomas, as I stand staring at my hand.
Tomas brings me back down to earth, and as I feel the cold at my fingers, I am grateful that my fairy-tale prince is not only gorgeous but caring and practical too.
‘Is that why you were rushing me along?’ I ask.
‘Yes, you wouldn’t believe how nervous I was.’
‘Oh, silly, there’s nothing ever to be nervous about with me.’
‘What if you’d said no?’
‘Well, there wasn’t much chance of that. You and I are perfect together. Just like Aunt Grace and Marek. They’d be so proud if they saw us now, wouldn’t they?’
As we turn to walk towards where Tomas has parked, a little robin suddenly appears. I am not sure if it is the chilly temperature or something more, but I shiver and get goosebumps all over me.
‘Are you cold?’ asks Tomas.
‘Yeah, I guess so.’
‘Come on, let’s get home and get everything ready for tonight.’
I turn back to look at the robin one last time, but just as quickly as it appeared, there is no sign of it.
