You Promised

Chapter Thirty Two

                  

Two months later...

   Mother flaps about the kitchen, busily ordering our maid to and fro with trivial jobs to prepare our house for the dinner guests. Father has decided to bring some of his friends for dinner and Jenny, John and I are being sent away for the evening. I'm off to Hazel's house for the time while John is probably going to spend the night with our neighbour, George. Jenny said she'll go to our local library and pass the time there.
    'What time can we come back at?' Inquires John as he scoffs down some of Nicky's delicious scones.    'About nine.' Answers Father, only half-listening as his eyes roam the newspaper in front of him. 'Or later. Whatever suits you...as long as it's not before nine.'
    'I'll be back at half nine.'' Decides John thoughtfully. 'George and I might to into town and have a look around.'
    'I'm teaching Lily how to sew.' I say proud of the little girl already. 'Adam would like that.'
    'Ami...' John gets up, shaking his head. 'Adam isn't in fact dead. And nor is he likely to be. Stop saying you'll do things for him. Just do them for you for Christ's sake.'
'John!' Scolds Mother as she always does when John says such things.
John shrugs nonchalantly and leaves the room.
    Father watches us over the rim of his glasses, chuckling at mother's exasperated clucking.
   'This isn't funny dear.' She warns.
    Father ignores her and returns to his newspaper.
   'When are you off?' Asks Mother, glaring after John as he leaves home with a loud slam of the front door.
    I finish my tea and get to my feet. 'Now. I want to show Lily before I go to Hazel's so I'd better get going.'
   Mother nods her head resignedly, sipping her tea sadly. 'Have a good day then dear.'
   I stand and kiss my mother on the forehead. 'I'll see you later.' I turn to leave the room, but not before I nod to my father. I head up our creaky staircase to my room, sitting down at my writing desk in front of my window. Looking out, I watch the clouds float slowly across the sky as I try think what to write to Adam today.

     My dearest Adam,

          I hope you're well and that you are getting even some of my letters. I doubt it because I haven't heard from you in a month. Please let me know you're alright.
         Not much has happened since you left, John fixed the car (for the moment) and Jenny is getting back to knitting. Mother and Father are having some friends over tonight so I'm off to Hazel's for the evening. I'm looking forward to it but I wish with everything I am that you could be here tonight. I know that you wish this too but I can't help saying it to you.
       I should probably get going soon, I'm off to your mother's to help teach Lily how to sew.

   Always yours,
   Ami x

P.S. Please tell me if I write too often, I can taper it back.

I scribble my little post-script before getting my coat and calling goodbye to my parents.
Walking to the Green's house, I post my letter and chat to some familiar faces at the market. I buy some thread from a neighbor and make my way to the Greene's house.
'Ami!' Calls Lily, running out to greet me.
'Hey there.' I kiss the top of her blonde head. 'Are you ready?'
She nods and bounces inside. I follow her and drop my bags just inside the door. Mrs Greene bustles out of the kitchen to hug me before disappearing back inside with Lily. I go upstairs to fetch some of Mrs Greene's thread and patterns.
I walk past Adam's bedroom door, shut since he left after Christmas. My fingers dance over the dusty grain, and the door creaks ajar. Light from his window cracks through the gap I've created.
I rest my forehead on the doorframe, straining my eyes to peek nosily into his room.
'Go in if you want.' Mr Greene's gruff voice startles me.
I look back at him, pink tinging my cheeks as I push open the door. Mr Greene walks silently in behind me as I examine the furniture in his room.
All of the memories and thoughts that I'd been putting off flood back to me with a strangled gasp. I cover my trembling mouth with one hand and support myself on Adam's desk chair.
Mr Greene pats my shoulder with a strong hand before stepping further into the room.
'He'll be home soon.' Mr Greene says softly. 'Back home soon.' He turns to me as I stand swallowing tears. 'Don't cry Amelia. He'll be home soon.'
I sniffle and close my eyes, trying not to break down in front of Adam's father. When I open my eyes I see Mr Greene, sitting on Adam's bed, resting his head in his hands.  'My boy. My boy will be home soon.' He mutters over and over. 'Home safe and sound.'
I walk to him and rub his shoulders. 'He'll be home soon.' I say, wondering not for the first time which one of us I'm trying to reassure.
His large hand covers mine as he sobs. 'My boy.' He repeats. 'My good boy.' He jerks his head up to look me in the eye, squeezing my hand with sudden urgency. 'He was going to marry you. You know that. You know that and hold onto it my dear.' He lets go of my hand and resumes staring at the floor. 'You have to have something to hold onto. Else you'll go mad. Else you could go mad.'
He seems to move on then, staring at the floor as though my presence is irrelevant and unnecessary.
I tiptoe from the room, closing the door behind me as he glares at the floor, as if challenging it to tell him that his beloved son won't return.