(Part 01)
Over the years India Harris often thought back to that day in September when she went down to the boathouse and found Paul standing on the jetty looking out across the water.
She remembered how it took her breath away because he was such a good looking man.
He was tall and dark, well-tanned and lantern jawed.
And she suddenly felt foolish, how could someone like him be interested in her and she turned to walk away.
“Don’t go” he called
“I shouldn’t have come” she said
“Of course you should” Paul said walking towards her
“No I’m just making a fool of myself” India said and turned to go again
“But I’ve been waiting for you” Paul said
“What?” she asked
“I’ve been waiting for you” he repeated only an arm’s length from her now
“Why?” she asked
“Because you’re the one” Paul said took hold of her
“I am?” she asked
“Yes, and I’ve been dreaming of the moment I could do this” he said and kissed her gently
And after that first nerve tingling kiss they were barely apart.
Afterwards they slowly ambled their way to Rob and Sheryl Brown’s Anniversary party at the Shallowfield Lodge and they were the last to arrive and when they walked in holding hands every head turned to watch them, and the general consensus of opinion was that it was about time.
With the exception of her time at university India Harris had lived all of her twenty six years on Teardrop Lake and she was a tall tomboy of a girl with short dark hair and she generally wore baggy shorts and equally baggy T-shirts and unfeminine foot wear.
But on the she day she kissed Paul on the jetty she was a wearing girls clothes.
Paul Spreadborough was convalescing at Chapel House, his sister Ellen’s home, on the North Western side of Teardrop Lake, although in truth he spent most of his time down at the boathouse, which his brother in law James had converted into a Gym.
Paul was transferred there from the Army hospital at the end of April.
The reason for his convalescence was necessitated by a horrific accident while he was serving as a Captain with the Downshire Light Infantry.
It was ironic really as he had only just returned from a tour of duty in Afghanistan completely unscathed only to be severely injured in a freak helicopter crash during a training exercise on Salisbury plain, when he suffered leg, hip and pelvic fractures.
But much to his credit he had fought and battled his way back towards fitness, but it would all be for nothing if he failed his medical which was only a few months away.
India had been helping Paul get back into shape, bike riding and swimming in the lake, she was also required to keep him on a short leash and prevent him from over doing it.
Falling in love was not was not part of the arrangement for either party, but it happened anyway.
But despite having fallen in love with India his goal was still to pass his army medical in November.
Failure would mean, best case he’d be off active duty and worst case discharged altogether.
Paul was a driven man and his sister Ellen was concerned it might break him if he failed.
The army was his life and if he was discharged he would be devastated.
India thought she was in a lose/lose situation, if he failed, he would be so distraught, she might lose him.
But if he passed his medical, then what?
Once he passed his medical what would become of her?
Those were the questions that were exercising India as they approached autumn.
(Part 02)
It was a couple of weeks after they first got together and India was working at the Shallowfield Lodge Hotel as usual.
Her friend Penny had volunteered to do the rooms upstairs on her own, so India was cleaning the downstairs.
They normally worked together but Penny was quite sad that day and Indie could see she’d been crying.
Her boyfriend was an Artist and was going to Australia for three months and he was leaving in just one weeks’ time.
So Pen really wanted to be alone, and India understood that, after all her boyfriend might be going away soon as well.
She had just finished hovering reception when she saw Penny’s boyfriend Danny walk in through the front door.
He nodded in her direction and then went and spoke to Sheryl Brown at the desk.
It was quite an animated conversation which she couldn’t hear but it ended in a broad smile from Sheryl.
Danny said good bye to the proprietor and headed towards India.
“Hi Indie” Danny said
“Hi” she replied “Penny’s upstairs, I’ll just go and get her”
“No” he said “it’s you I’ve come to see”
“Really? Why?” she asked suspiciously hoping he wasn’t going to ask her out.
Not that she really thought there was any likelihood of that, she knew that he was besotted with Penny, but you never really knew with those arty farty types.
“I have something to tell you but I have to swear you to secrecy first” he said mysteriously
“Ok I swear” she said now more intrigued than worried
“I’m going to ask Penny to go to Australia with me” Danny explained
India started squealing and jumping up and down
“That’s amazing”
Then she stopped and looked at him with a puzzled expression on her face.
“Why are you telling me first?”
“Because I need you to pick up some of her shifts while she’s away” he said
“Is that all?” she said “consider it done”
“Great but you mustn’t give anything away” he said “it’s a secret remember”
“How long?” she said
“How long what?” he replied
“How long do I have to keep it secret?”
“I’m going to take her to lunch and ask her then”
“Oh good, I can manage until then”
With his business concluded at the Hotel Danny left and India got on with her work whilst wearing an inane grin on her face.
At the end of her shift Penny and India were just preparing to leave and Pen noticed her friend grinning again.
“What is the matter with you today?” she asked
“I’m just in a good mood because I’m spending the rest of the day with Paul” she replied
She was spared any further explanation as Danny was outside waiting for Pen.
“Hi Hun” Penny said “This is a nice surprise”
Danny gave her a kiss and said
“I thought I’d take you for lunch”
“Lovely” she replied “Can Indie come?”
“No I can’t” India said quite forcefully and then as she started to blush she said “Bye Danny” and rushed off
“Bye Indie” they both said
“Should I be worried about you two?” she asked suspiciously
“No she just doesn’t want to be the third wheel” he lied
The pair of them walked into the village holding hands and India walked home still grinning inanely.
When she got home, she had a quick bite of lunch and then she got changed before throwing her swimming stuff into a backpack.
They had done a lot of swimming over the preceding weeks it was great exercise for Paul and she got to see his ripped body.
When it got too cold to swim in the lake they cycled to a swimming pool in Childean.
(Part 03)
Paul had just got his bike out of the garage when India arrived and wheeled herself alongside him so they could kiss.
Her beautiful dark hair was tucked loosely beneath her helmet, her eyes sparkled and her cheeks were ruddy from exertion.
“What kept you?” he said
“Some of us have to work for a living”
She had one foot on the floor and the other on the pedal and Paul’s eyes were fixed on the shape of her thigh and the firmness of her buttock.
India noticed where his eyes has come to rest and said with a giggle
“You can keep your eyes off of that soldier boy”
“Why?” he said “I like it”
“Well you’re not going to get it” she yelled as she sped off down the road.
“I can if I catch you” he responded and chased after her
They were a mile the other side of Shallowfield before he caught up with her sufficiently that he could slap her bum, signalling the end of the pursuit,
They were both panting hard as they coasted into a layby
“You’re definitely improving” she panted “you didn’t catch me until the outskirts of Childean last time”
“I’m getting stronger everyday” he agreed and her smile faded
When they got back to the lake later that afternoon it was just at the moment Penny and Danny approached the shore in the Summers skiff.
India stopped her bike and waved to her friend and waited for her to disembark.
As Penny came running up towards her, she wasn’t sure if she should feign surprise at her news but in the end the point was moot.
“I have news” she said and thrust her hand out under India’s nose “he didn’t tell you everything”
India saw the ring and got off her bike and let it fall to the floor as she hugged Penny tightly and the two of them danced a jig.
The happy couple went to give the news to the Browns and anyone and everyone who would listen.
And India and Paul continued their journey.
She was genuinely thrilled about her best friend’s engagement but it was bitter sweet as it heightened her own feelings about what she might lose in November.
And nine days later there was a tearful farewell at the airport and Penny and her fiancé left for Australia.
October was a strange month, Indie really missed her friend and she worried about how she would cope it she did lose Paul and her best friend wasn’t there to help her through it.
To match her gloom the weather was atrocious with rain and gales day after day.
So road work and excursions to Childean were at a minimum.
Also India was working more hours to cover some of Penny’s but the good news was that it didn’t reduce the amount of time she and Paul got to spend together.
The weather improved into November but not her dark thoughts, although she shielded them from Paul.
He was so excited at his impending medical and he counted the days, while it filled her with dread and she wished time would stand still.
The week before his medical he went to the surgery in Shallowfield to see Dr Andrews just to give him a final once over.
“What’s the verdict then doc?” he asked after the examination
“Well for what it’s worth I think you are literally fighting fit” Claire said
“You have lost some latitude in the hip joint and I don’t know what their tolerances will be”
“Well that will have to do” Paul said
“The fact that you are where you are now is testament to your hard work and not a little help from India” Claire said
“You should be very grateful to her”
“I am” he confirmed “And she’s got the job permanently if she wants it”
“Does she know that?” Claire asked
“I’m sure she does” Paul replied and Claire raised her eyebrows
(Part 04)
The fateful day arrived and Paul had to leave at the crack of dawn to get to Nettlefield by 10 o’clock, being late was not an option.
Because India only lived next door she set her alarm and walked round to see him off.
“Good luck” she said putting on a brave face as she kissed and hugged him
“I wish you were coming with me” he said holding her tightly
“I know, but I have to work” she said and then kissed Paul’s sister Ellen
“Don’t worry” whispered Ellen, who could see her fear behind her smile
India smiled at her weakly, but she still worried anyway.
She got to work extra early that day because she knew she wouldn’t get to sleep again.
India had all the tables and breakfast things laid in the dining room before Sheryl even arrived downstairs.
“Good morning India” she said “Gosh you’ve been busy”
“I was up early” she said
“Is today the day?”
“Uh huh”
“Don’t worry dear I’m sure he’ll pass” Sheryl said
“Yes I know” Indie said
She kept herself busy all day and she worked on well past her time, and she still hadn’t heard anything from Paul when she eventually left for home.
When she got home she went up to her room and lay on her bed and promptly fell asleep.
She was unceremoniously woken by her brat of a sister Dakota.
“Oiy, He-She”
Dakota was a girlie girl and India was a tomboy.
“That ridiculously gorgeous man, with absolutely no taste, is downstairs” she said
“Ok” Indie replied
She went into the bathroom and freshened up,
“It must be bad news” she said
“If he’s come to the house it must be bad news”
She took a deep breath and then went downstairs.
Paul was in the kitchen being fawned over by her Mum and Dakota.
“Come on sleepy head” her mum said
“Hi” India said
“Hey” Paul responded
“Ok we’ll leave you two alone” Mrs Harris said “Come on Dak”
“Why?” she said
“Just move yourself” mum said
When they were alone Paul kissed her and as they hugged he said
“I passed with flying colours”
“Great” she said
“You don’t sound too happy” he said
“Don’t you know what this means?”
“Yes” she replied “it means I’ve lost you”
“What?” he said and looked at her
“Why would think that?”
“Because you’re leaving” India said and her eyes filled with tears
“I’m not leaving you” Paul said
“It’s fine, really” she said “I’m pleased you passed, you’ve worked hard for it, and you deserve it”
India tried to push past him but Paul prevented her.
“Indie! I may leave Teardrop to return to my regiment but I’m not leaving you” he explained “I’m coming back to you”
“You are?” she asked
“Yes, we have an amazing future together”
“How? If you’re going away”
“Because you are going to marry me and then wherever I end up you’ll be right there with me” he said
India tried to process what she had just heard and couldn’t make sense of it.
She imagined that the “ridiculously gorgeous man, with absolutely no taste” had just mentioned marriage, but that made no sense at all.
“I don’t understand” she said
“I want you to marry me and be in my life forever”
Paul explained
“So?”
“So I don’t know, you military types are notoriously unreliable” she said coolly
“What?” he said bemused and then India couldn’t contain herself for a second longer
“Of course I’ll marry you soldier boy”
And they sealed it with a kiss.
After she kissed Paul goodbye at the front door, she closed it behind him and rushed into the lounge.
“Mum, mum” she called “What time is it in Australia? I need to Skype Penny”
“He didn’t” Mum said very excitedly
“He did” she replied and they both screamed
“Did what?” asked Dakota
“That’s amazing” mum said
“I know” India said and they screamed again
“What’s happened?” Dakota yelled
Attracted by the noise Chris Harris walked in to discover his wife and eldest daughter dancing around the room.
What’s going on? He asked
“I have absolutely no idea” Dakota replied
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