You Promised

Chapter Thirteen

The lights twinkle overhead as we twirl to the slow music. Adam and I have barely noticed the beautiful gowns handsome men dancing around us. Our hands are entwined, Adam's and mine, we spin in the spotlight, with eyes only for each other. His eyes sparkle at me. I can see our happiness radiating around us. He leans into me and rests his forehead against mine. I close my eyes and let him lead me about the dance floor.
   Three dances later, we exit the dance floor and head towards the refreshments. I see Jayne chatting, quite flirtatiously, to a dark haired young man. She is twirling her hair between her fingers and keeps biting her lip. I roll my eyes, then hug Adam close to me. He looks at me then says 'I'll be right back. I'll be over there.' He nods over to an elderly gentleman and walks off. I watch him leave, then head over to Hazel who is now talking to her brother.
   'Its not a big deal Thomas.' She says. He shakes his head. Hazel sees me and explains. 'Some young things in a skirt gave him a white rose.' She says angrily.
   I gasp in shock. White roses are given to men who aren't fighting as a symbol of cowardice. Thomas is only sixteen, like Anna, so he isn't allowed to go and fight. Sadly for Hazel, and I think Anna, he is to be seventeen soon. I look at him properly. His giant eyes are grey and gentle. His black hair falls in strands into his eyes. Hazel is trying to get him to have it cut, but he wants to keep it. I can see that he is quite handsome under the shyness.
   'Don't mind them Thomas. They aren't in a uniform either.' I reassure him. Hazel points the two women out to me and I notices that they are no more than seventeen. They see me scowling at them and they hurry out of sight. I shake my head. Thomas is no longer paying attention to us but now has his eyes fixed at the refreshments table. I follow his gaze and see that what has drawn is eye is none other than our own dear Anna. I smother a laugh and walk away to find Adam. As I go, I see the two young girls strutting over to Adam. As I draw near, they hand him a white rose. He looks at them and then at me in confusion. Then, realisation dawns and his eyes light with fury. His voice takes on a deadly quiet and he says.
    'Do you understand what is really going on in France? Because I do. I've been there. I've fought and killed and now I'm home to enjoy some time off with my fiancée. Is that a problem for you?' The girls look embarrassed and move to re-take their rose. Adam snatches it back and says to them.
   'Its not your place to tell young men to go and risk their lives for you both, when clearly neither of you are worth it. Get out of here now.' His commanding voice leaves no room for argument so they leave. John very helpfully sticking his tongue out at them as they go. I smile at him. I have never been prouder of my brother.
   I take Adam's hand and lead him back to the dance floor. This time its a slow waltz. I place my arms around his neck and gaze into his eyes.
    'That was a wonderful thing you did for Thomas.' I say proudly.
    'It's easy for them to give out to men who aren't fighting. They don't have to go. The generals will be looking for Thomas soon enough.' He says, his voice ominous. 'The men out there are fighting for the lives and freedom of these men and women, not so that they can pick on....' He goes silent with rage.
    I pause, unsure of what to say to this new and angry Adam. He sees my reluctance to speak in my eyes and furrows his brow. He knows me well enough to know that I will speak when I'm ready to.
    I rest my head on his shoulder and glance over at Hazel and John. Hazel is laughing hysterically at something he said. John's eyes glisten at her as she slowly regains her self-control. She catches his gaze and smiles sweetly at him. Hazel briefly looks away from his loving gaze to her brother who is anxiously looking over at Anna as she sips her lemonade while talking to one of Jayne's sisters.
    Jayne herself, is being twirled around the dance floor by a young man who seems overly keen on her.  She titters a nervous laugh when he says something undoubtedly inappropriate because she gives him a neat curtesy then heads away quickly.
   Adam lowers his head into my hair and I pull away, wondering if he is ok. He won't meet my gaze until I gently pull his chin up so that I may see his eyes.  His usually clear eyes are
clouded with tears.
    'Adam...' I say quietly. 'What is the matter?' My voice is tinged with worry for my love.
     'I....I've been so....I'm sorry Ami.' He says, his voice taking on a confessional tone. 'I come home for a few days and all I do is complain about everything under the sun. I'm so sorry.'
   'Hey, it's alright.' I reassure him. 'You haven't just complained all the time.' I wave my beautiful ring in front of his face. His dry lips crack into a grin.
   We savour that night in each other's arms, because we both know, it will be over too soon. These evenings never last long enough and before I know it, Adam and I are walking home together.
   We pause outside his house. 'Want to come in for a drink?'
   Minutes later, I am sitting in the Green's living room sipping a cup of tea. Adam's father comes in, his cigar making a wreath of smoke around his bearded face. 'Ami.' He greets me ruffling my hair as he walks past. He turns to his son. 'Out at dinner were we?'
   Adam smiles at me then at his father. 'Dancing.'
   I lean over to hold his hand. 'A wonderful night too.' My new ring gleams brilliantly on my finger. I move my finger so that it shines in the dim parlour light. Mrs. Green almost skips over to admire it 
   'Oh Amelia...' She breathes. 'It's so beautiful.'
   'Like Ami?' Lily asks giggling as she is led off to bed.
   'Exactly like Ami.' Adam whispers as I turn to the front door.
   'Goodnight.' I murmur to him, kissing his cheeks, before I make my way home, keeping an eye on him until I'm forced to turn a corner.