The Life That I Have

Chapter 22

The next morning Anya was really tired, the aftermath from her adventures the previous night. To wake herself up, she decided to take Tippy for a walk around the woods.

  The moment she stepped out of the old, stone walls of the castle, she walked headlong into Rudi.

  "Oh! You frightened me!" she said awkwardly.

  "Happy Ides of March!"

  "What?" She was too sleepy to work out one of Rudi's riddles.

  "You said it was your birthday," he said, taken aback.

  "Oh, yes. I'd forgotten," she said vaguely. "I'm just taking Tip for a walk. Want to come?"

  "No thanks," Rudi said mysteriously, and without another word, walked back into the castle, whistling.

  Anya looked puzzled for a moment, then shrugged and carried on her way. After all, it was too early in the morning for one of Rudi's little puzzles.

Dominique looked down at her left hand. She couldn't get used to not having her engagement ring. Still, it wasn't her ring. London had given it to her. They kept your real one safe for you. She didn't really need it, as long as she had her 'wedding' band.

  But, it was worth it. Rudi needed it more than she did.

When Anya returned back to the castle, she was greeted be Paul.

  "Hello, ma chérie!" He greeted her in English.

  "Hi Paul!"

  "There's a rumor going around that it's your birthday," Paul said cheerfully.

  "Yes it is. When's yours?"

  "Yours truly? Can't quite remember. Lost count years ago! Thank God."

  Paul could always make Anya laugh, and once again he succeeded.

  "By the way, Rudi was looking for you."

  "Oh, I saw him earlier, before I went on my walk," she told him.

  "I mean looking for you about ten minutes ago."

  "Well, if you see him, tell him I'll be around the back, cleaning the rifles." She left Paul and went to the store-cupboard where all the spare guns where kept. Taking an armful of them, she went outside to sit in the spring sun. Taking an oily old rag, she began to clean them.

  It was a filthy job, and Anya loathed it. But it had to be done.

  After she had finished the third rifle, Rudi arrived.

  "Hello. I heard you were looking for me," she said, without looking up.

  "I've got you a present."

  She looked up.

  "A present?" she said, trying to conceal her excitement.

  Rudi held out his hand. In his palm was a small silver ring, complete with a tiny diamond. Anya sat there, speechless.

  "I'd like you to marry me, Anya," he said quietly.