A Debt of Honour – Episode 28
A Debt Of Honour
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- 1. A Debt of Honour – Episode 28
She had been here several times before, Ellie thought.
It was like a scene from a film which had been shown so often that it had worn thin.
Only this time, it was Calum waiting at the ticket barrier, and herself stepping down from the crowded train to queue patiently at the barrier.
She waved across the passengers’ heads towards him.
Calum waved back, then raised his hands to mime a silent question.
Ellie paused for effect, then raised both her own hands, thumbs up.
He punched the air.
When she pushed through the ticket gate he stepped forward to greet her, his face full of delight for her, just as her own must have radiated joy.
“My turn to buy,” he said after they kissed. “Will it be the Bistro again?”
“No. I don’t want a drink,” Ellie said. “Let’s go to the M and S tearoom, and have a big mug of coffee and a slice of cake.”
“It’s yours,” he said happily.
Arm in arm, they walked up into the main street, the sunshine warm on their shoulders.
The town was full of summer visitors, but when they rose on the escalator to the top level of the store, it was much quieter and cooler.
Ellie found a table near the open window, and Calum joined the queue.
He came back with a huge slice of cake.
“I can’t eat all that!” she exclaimed.
“You can try,” he urged. “Go on.”
Much later, Ellie looked guiltily at the smears of chocolate on the plate as she wiped her mouth with the napkin.
“I’ll have to go to the bathroom,” she said. “I need a wash, after that.”
“I’ll wait,” Calum said. “Do you want another coffee?”
“No, thanks.”
Ellie scurried off, but it wasn’t into the bathroom. Instead, she hurried down the escalator.
So far, so good, for the plan she had devised on the train home – but everything hinged on the next part.
Her heart was hammering against her ribs.
Ellie returned to the table some time later.
“Sorry,” she said. “Thanks for waiting.”
“No problem,” Calum said gallantly. “You’re worth it.”
“Thank you, kind sir. Are we ready to leave now?”
They made their way leisurely out of the store. At the doorway, Calum veered left. Ellie tugged him firmly right.
“Let’s cut through the Thistle Centre,” she said.
“But . . .” he said reluctantly.
“I know. It’s past that jeweller’s shop. But we must confront our demons.”
He sighed deeply.
“OK.”
They walked along the passageway in the centre, past the jeweller’s window.
“Oh,” Calum said, then added, “but it doesn’t matter any more.”
“What doesn’t?” Ellie asked.
Calum grimaced.
“That lovely ring. It’s gone,” he said. “Someone else has bought it.”
Sadly, he moved away, and they walked on for a few yards. Ellie stopped.
“Calum?” she said. “I’ve forgotten something.”
“Back in M and S?” he asked. “We’ll have to hurry or we’ll miss the bus. Come on, let’s go.”
He set off at a brisk pace, taking them again past the jeweller’s window.
Her arm linked in his, Ellie drew him firmly in through the shop door.
“What?” he asked. “Why? Oh . . .”
He noticed the sales lady standing, a smile on her face.
The ring was laid out on a black velvet tray on the counter in front of her.
The jewels sparkled in the soft lighting, giving the ring a life of its own.
Ellie drew Calum, unresisting, across.
She picked up the ring and handed it to him.
“Ask me again, please, Calum,” Ellie said quietly.
“But quickly, before we become the centre of attention once more . . .”
But she couldn’t fight the invisible magic of marriage proposals.
By the time she disentangled herself from his arms, half of Stirling stood outside the doorway. There were cheers and applause.
“Good luck, lassie!” an older woman called. “Be as lucky as I was . . .”
And she smiled at the stooped man beside her.
“Wheesht!” the old man said, shooting an agonised glance at Calum.
“Dinnae embarrass me like that, hen.”