Out Of The Mouths Of Babes

Thirteen

Thirteen

 “Marry me!”

Becky was busily swatting at flies, buzzing around her head. “What?” she laughed. “Shut up and chuck us a sausage roll.” She looked up just in time to see Leo pull a small black box out of his pocket.

“I’m serious,” he said. “Marry me.”

“Leo!” she was dumbfounded. “How long have we known each other? You barely know anything about me.” Her gaze flitted between his hurt expression and the box he clutched in his hand.

“I know that I love you,” he said. “And that’s enough for me.”

This was Becky’s worst nightmare. The last thing she wanted was to be tied down to one man. Especially when she had so many options available. She sighed deeply, wondering how the hell she was supposed to respond to that without sounding like a bitch. ‘Well I’m not in love with you, and I’m quite looking forward to sleeping with Adrian’, probably wouldn’t do the trick.

“Leo,” she began, wishing he’d kept his mouth shut, “I have to admit, I’ve never been a great fan of picnics. A lasagne with garlic bread and a glass of wine or three at the local pub is much more my cup of tea. So when you suggested we eat in this...” She glanced around her, “…this field, I was less than swept away.” His expression of hurt was morphing into one of indignation. “But,” she added hastily, “I love doing different stuff with you; stuff I wouldn’t usually contemplate. And I’m having a fantastic time. Can’t we just carry on doing that - having a fantastic time? We don’t need anything else.” Please let that be an end to it, she willed.

Leo moved closer, still clutching the unopened box. As much as she didn’t want to marry him, she was dying to see the contents of the box.

“Or maybe you do need something else,” he urged, “but just don’t realise it; like you didn’t realise how much you could enjoy a picnic.” Becky shook her head. “Just give me a chance,” he pleaded. “What have you got to lose?”

She opened her mouth to speak and then stopped. “Just what do you mean by that?” she snapped. “I’ve got plenty to lose; my life as I know it, my liberty, plenty.”

Leo recoiled. “I wasn’t saying…”

“You were saying my life is crap, so I may as well agree to marry you and make it a bit more interesting.”

“Becky, don’t be ridiculous. I’m saying I love you and I want you to marry me; nothing else. I just want to marry you; paranoia, short temper and all.”

“I’m sorry…” she began.

“That’s okay. I probably didn’t put it across very well…”

“No, I’m sorry, but I can’t marry you.”

“Right.”

“Come on, don’t be like that. Let’s just forget we had this conversation and get stuck into that cheesecake.”

“Okay.”

“Yeah?” She smiled, failing to recognise the sarcasm.

“Yeah, and I’ll just forget that I’ve spent twelve grand on a ring for an ungrateful bitch.”

“How much!” she spluttered as he began stuffing items back into the picnic hamper.

“Oh yes, that’s got your attention, hasn’t it? Her true colours begin to emerge!”

“No! I was just surprised. I wouldn’t have thought you could afford…”

“Well I can. So does this change things? Would you be interested in marrying me if I’m loaded?”