You Promised

Chapter Seventeen

  I sat in the classroom. The wallpaper was peeling in the corners. The teacher stood at the front of the room, saying something that I wasn't listening to. I was, however, staring at the back of the head of the boy in front of me. He was the best looking boy I have ever seen. I flicked my hair back behind my ears. He was the nicest boy in my class. I never spoke to him much but I knew he was a gentleman. His name was Adam Green. My mother knew his mother and I also knew that we were due over at his house that evening after school, for dinner. I waited unsure, outside the school after the bell rang. I wanted to walk home with him, but I wasn't sure what to do. So, I sadly hung my head and slowly headed home. Adam ran and caught up with me and walked with me. Halfway there, his hand touched mine. He looked at me, then slowly took my hand in his. I remember gaping at him as he pulled my arm tighter around his waist. I had never been happier.

   Sometimes the memories hit me, like a train at full speed, and other times, they sneak up on me and I slowly slip into my own world. Both usually leave me with droplets of salty tears streaming down my face.
   'Ami? You there?' Anna asks me. 'You've been staring into the distance for ages now.'
    We are up a hill, just outside our village. Jayne came especially from her aunts and Anna got the day off from the farm. Hazel and I, being unemployed by our families, are usually available, except when we help at the bakery, and today was no different. Some boys are here too. I could not, unfortunately, stop John from coming and so, Thomas came too.
    The day is wonderful. The sky is full of lazy, soft clouds that float aimlessly in the crystal, blue sky. The sun beams down on us, and it's like even the weather is happy.  We can see mountains capped with some left over winter snow and behind us is a forest which seems to invite us in. The whole place is perfect.
    Of course, my present company is ecstatic. John sits, sprawled in the middle of the mat, with his right arm looped about Hazel's neck. His other hand is, obviously, filling his mouth with food. Hazel spent hours yesterday, making tarts, scones, muffins, brownies, cakes and all kinds of delicious goods for us to enjoy today.
    Anna fiddles with her hair as she looks over at Thomas out of the corner of her eye. She is sitting on the edge of our company, but near to Jayne and I. Thomas, when he is not sneaking a peek at Anna, keeps examining his food, much to the annoyance of his dear sister, which I do believe is why he does it. At one point, Thomas was dissecting a jam tart, when John got so impatient with him that he held him to the ground and forced it down his throat.  We all fell about the place laughing. Eventually Thomas joined in too.
    I realise how very lucky I am. I know that without my wonderful friends, who are like family to me, I would utterly sink into the despair that claims my heart at night. My friends, who only have eyes for each other.
   I am pulled out of my reverie by Thomas declaring that he wants to go for a walk. Anna almost volunteers to go with him when a quick glance from Hazel stops her. John also stands, and the two boys saunter off into a field further down the hill.
   The four women, Jayne, Hazel, Anna and I, all sit closer together and watch the men depart.
   Hazel looks after her brother and I after mine. I soon realise that Anna is also watching Thomas leave. She watches him go, with a tenderness you rarely see in young so one. Anna, being only sixteen, is the youngest of our group.
   Hazel notices the affectionate gaze and asks. 'When were you planning on telling me that you are totally in love with my brother?'
    Anna whips around to look at her. 'I beg your pardon?'
    'Hazel is in no position to argue about who may see whose brother.' I point out to Hazel.
     Anna and Hazel soon start bickering again, after Hazel says, jokingly, that Anna needs her permission, and I leave them to it. I turn to Jayne and ask her about what's going on in her own heart. 
   Jayne sighs. 'Remember that boy? Ollie?' And seeing my nod she continues. 'I cannot stop thinking about him!'
    'Jayne Hartly! You're in love!' I cry loudly, instantly grabbing the attention of our friends.
    'In love?' Anna says. 'With who?'
     'Ollie, obviously.' Hazel tells her.
     Anna stands up. 'I'm going to find the boys.' She says indignantly, and walks away.
     Soon, after establishing that Jayne is indeed in love with the mischievous thief, and that Hazel and I may name her first children, we all pack up and head off to find Anna and the boys.
   We wander down to the field and follow the footprints until we find John crouching behind a bush. He puts a finger to his lips and indicates that we should follow him quietly. We sneak down toward a poppy field and see Thomas standing alone, looking at the view. Looking up the hill, I see Anna, stumbling down towards us. She sees Thomas and moves towards him. They both walk at each other, until they are mere meters apart and then, Anna trips and falls into Thomas' arms.
   Hazel makes a disapproving clucking noise beside me, but watches as Thomas pulls Anna to her feet and then locks his arms around her waist. She puts her arms about his neck and leans into him. Their lips meet and John stands.
   'Ah hem!' He calls out to them. Hazel punches him in the arm. The two back away from each other. Crimson with embarrassment. John grins delightedly and loops his arm through Hazel's and they walk down towards the village. Anna and Thomas, hold hands awkwardly and follow them. Jayne and I follow at the rear, her thinking about Ollie, me thinking about what trouble my dear brother will yet get himself into.