Letters - Michael Gray

One year later

It was one year later and Michael and Valarie were still together. Even though Michael lived in Birmingham and Valarie lived in London they spoke everyday on the telephone and exchanged letters weekly. When they visited each other they didn't want their time to end as they felt like they were on top of the world. Everyone who knew them knew that they were made for each other. Even though Alfie wasn't happy at first he saw how happy Valarie was when she talked to Michael and how her face lit up when she talked about him. In Alfie's eyes Michael wasn't good enough for his daughter... but no man would ever be.

When Valarie first visited Micheal in Birmingham she didn't know where to put herself. She felt awkward. She always was around new people. She soon got over this fear and became herself around Michael's family.

John, Finn and Arthur saw Valarie as a sister who they could talk to. The women also saw Valarie as a sister and often phoned Valarie up to talk. Although Tommy trusted Valarie and thought she was a useful ally part of him still thought that she couldn't be trusted. However, the most important opinion of all was Polly Gray's. She adored Valarie!. She knew that Valarie was perfect for her son and she couldn't wait until Valarie was her daughter in law.

Michael loved that all of his family got on well with the woman he loved. However, what he didn't love was getting badgered nearly everyday about proposing to Valarie. He knew that he was going to do it soon, he just didn't know when the right time was. Michael even has the perfect engagement ring!. Plus he still had to ask for Alfie's permission.

It was a cold Wednesday morning in Small Heath and Michael was making his was towards work. Running through Michael's mind was what he had to do at work that day... nothing. Although he had nothing to do at work he had something very important to handle.

Soon enough Michael had reached the betting shop and made his way towards his office. As soon as he put his coat on the coat rack he set off in search for what he was looking for. After a few minutes of searching he gave up as he knew that people would be arriving at the shop soon.

It had reached lunchtime and Michael knew that the shop would be empty soon. He waited until he couldn't hear anyone and started his search again. What Michael didn't hear was Tommy approaching behind him.
"Looking for something Michael?" Questioned Tommy. Michael stopped like a deer in headlights he had been caught red handed but he knew he could trust Tommy with knowing what he was looking for.
"It's it a bit obvious. If I tell you what I'm looking for please don't tell anyone" begged Michael.
Tommy nodded for Michael to tell him.
"I'm looking for Alfie Solomons' bakery telephone number. I only have the house number and I want to phone Alfie personally without Valarie knowing" explained Michael.
"Ahh so you've finally grown some balls to ask Alfie for Valarie's hand in marriage" laughed Tommy.
"Alright Tom don't laugh I love her and I want to spend the rest of my life with her"
"I'm not laughing I know how much you love her. I'm happy that you've found someone you love. At least Pol will be able to stop nagging you about it and she'll have an excuse to buy a new dress" said Tommy "I'll get you the number now and I promise I won't say anything. I even cross my heart".
Michael laughed as his cousin left to get the telephone number.

Tommy soon returned with the a piece of paper in his and gave it Michael. "Don't waste time" said Tommy and left Michael on his own.

For a few minutes Michael stared at the piece of paper in his hand. The paper contained the numbers to a telephone call that could change his life. Without realising what he was doing Michael was putting in the numbers from the piece of paper into the telephone.

It rang out for a few seconds then all of a sudden a familiar London accent answered the phone.
"Hello" answered Alfie "Alfie Solomons speaking"
"Hello Alfie this is Micheal speaking"
"Mickey my son! How are you? Why are you phoning here she's at home?"
"I'm fine thanks Alfie and I know I just wanted to ask you a quick question" Michael waited for a reply from Alfie.
"Well.. what is it then? I thought you was just gonna ask!"
"Well I... well I. Well" Michael stuttered he didn't know how to say it.
"Hurry up Mickey I haven't got all day"
"Well I was wondering if I have permission to ask for Valarie's hand in marriage" Michael said it so quickly he didn't know if Alfie had even understood him. There was an awkward pause then Alfie began to laugh. This made Michael confused.
"Of course you can I was wondering when you were gonna have the balls to ask. Have you got the ring?"
" wow thank you and yes I have it was my grandmothers my mum gave it to me" explained Michael.
"That's good well have you planned anything yet?" questioned Alfie
"Not yet but I know it needs to be special"
"Well why don't you do it this weekend you can surprise her down here, cook her a nice meal and I'll even go out for the night" suggested Alfie
"Wow yes I'll come down on Friday. I'll be at yours at about 6 O'Clock" explained Micheal.
"Then it's settled. Listen Mickey I've got to go but I'll see you on Friday" said Alfie and before Micheal could say bye Alfie had put the telephone down.

It had just occurred to Michael that he was going to be proposing to Valarie on Friday night. He only had two days to prepare. All he knew was that he was going to cook her favourite meal.

Friday had came around sooner than expected for Micheal and before he knew it he was on his way to London. Polly didn't question why Michael was going to London as she knew he was going to visit Valarie, what she didn't know was that he was planning on asking Valarie to marry him.

Hours had passed and Michael was arriving at the Solomons residence. Without hesitation Micheal knocked on the door. Valarie wondered who it could be as they wasn't expecting anyone and her dad had gone out for the night. As she didn't want to open the door to anyone Valarie had a look through the spy hole and was surprised to discover it was Michael at the door. Without hesitation she opened the door and wrapped her arms around him.
"Glad to see you've missed me" laughed Michael.
"Oh shut up, you know I've missed you"
"That I do" replied Michael and gave her a quick kiss.
"Hope you haven't had dinner yet, I was gonna cook us something" said Michael knowing full well Alfie had told her he was going to bring her something back to eat.
"Nope and please don't burn the house down my dad would kill you"
"I won't Val I promise" said Michael as he made his way to the kitchen.

As Michael was cooking away he could feel Valarie's eyes staring into the back of his head. This made him anxious.

Eventuality, the food was done and Michael placed it in front of them.
"How did you know that chicken pie was my favourite" asked Valarie
"I remember you telling me when I took you out to that restaurant near me" replied Micheal
"That was ages ago! I'm surprised you still remember"
"Well I remember everything about you" said Michael as he held Valarie's hand.

They finished their meal and Micheal knew that it was the right time. Valarie had offered to take to the plates to the sink and while she was doing this Michael got down on one knee. As Valarie turned around she was shocked to find Michael down on one knee she thought was a joke but she was already crying.

"Valarie Solomons, when I first saw you in that bookshop I knew that you was the most beautiful girl in the world. We then got speaking and I brought you a book and I know you still have it. We kept in contact and we haven't stopped since. Just before our phone calls each day my heart races at the thought of speaking to you. I love it when tell me about your day even if you've only read another book. Your laugh makes my heart flutter and I could go on about your smile ... this speech wasn't planned and I could just keep going on and on but I won't. Valarie Solomons will you marry me?"
asked Michael with tears in his eyes.
Valarie couldn't help but nod yes.