Chapter 36

I look at my watch and it is now 1440 so I better go and get showered and changed. I very quickly called Stuart and gave him a time and place for meeting and then showered and changed as quickly as possible and headed back down stairs to meet Sidney.

“Gill, you look lovely, thank you for meeting me, will you please come with me without asking any questions.” I took Sidney’s hand without breathing a word to him, I know as soon as I talk I will ask what is going on, I was very apprehensive but I trust him and love him enough not to need to ask anything.

We walk through streets that I have never seen yet and eventually came to the Marina on the coast of the city, it was gorgeous. Sidney lead me onto a boat which I know belongs Mario but why on earth does he have it here and why am I on it when I have to be back at work in a couple of hours.

“Gill, take a seat, I would like to talk to you.” I could hear the Eagles Ballads Album playing softly in the background as we sat on the edge of the boat, everything was perfect. The water was still and the sun was shining warmly even though it was January and there was still snow lying on the ground.

Sidney started talking without looking at me.

“I know that when we first met Gill that I was not so nice to you, I messed you around in a big way and don’t deserve to be sitting here with you today but you forgave me when I least deserved it.

“You have held my hand when I needed you, you wiped away my tears when they fell from my eyes, you laughed with me and made me smile and always knew the right words to say. You have supported me through everything and knew when I needed you there and when I needed to be by myself. You know everything there is to know about me and yet you are still sitting here with me today.

“I love you for all that Gill and for being patient with me when I was scared to move on. You have been my rock.

“We have become very close over the past year and a half since you moved over and I would say that we now have a brilliant relationship. I love you with all my heart so therefore I have brought you to this beautiful setting to ask you a question.”

At this point Sidney turned to look at me, he held my hands in his, they were all sweaty with what I guessed was down to nerves although I had no idea what this was about. His big brown eyes were worried, I want to hold him and tell him it was all ok but it seemed important that I did not interrupt him until he was finished what he had to say. Eventually he spoke again and asked:

“Gill, will you marry me…?”